Michigan families affected by PBB exposure across 50 years and three generations
The Michigan PBB Cohort: A unique, highly exposed community followed for 50 years and three generations
Researchers are expanding a long-running group of Michigan residents and their descendants who were exposed to the flame-retardant chemical PBB so younger generations can join and help study health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327308 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be invited to community meetings and focus groups to share your experiences and help guide the project's direction. The team is recruiting children and grandchildren of people exposed in 1973 and will collect health information, questionnaires, and, when possible, biological samples to study how exposure may affect later health. Records and samples will be linked across generations and made available to qualified trainees and researchers beyond Emory to broaden the research. Local community advisory boards from the affected region will work with researchers to shape outreach and communication.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people exposed to PBB in Michigan (especially those connected to the 1973 contamination zone) and their adult children and grandchildren who can share health information or samples.
Not a fit: People without personal or family ties to the Michigan PBB exposure are unlikely to gain direct health benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could clarify how PBB exposure affects health across generations and inform prevention, monitoring, and care for exposed families.
How similar studies have performed: Long-running environmental exposure registries have produced important findings, and the Michigan PBB cohort has already generated over 150 scientific contributions, indicating a strong track record.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcus, Michele — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Marcus, Michele
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.