Research studies led by faculty in NYU Langone’s Division of Environmental Pediatrics assess the long-term health effects of environmental exposures early in life. Our results show that commonly used chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) contribute to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, and elevated cardiovascular disease risk.

In particular, we seek to understand how exposure to certain chemicals may disrupt hormonal regulation of basic physiological functions. These chemicals may be found in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, and in other things we commonly encounter. We are especially interested in the effects of food contaminants.

We also study the health effects of prenatal and childhood exposure to pollutants at the World Trade Center site. Our study is the first to follow affected children into adolescence.

Many of our research projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including our Children’s Health and Environment Study, which is sponsored by the NIH’s Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes program.

We are looking for volunteers for some of our studies. Contact us to learn more.

2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Updates

As we work to understand and prevent environmental effects on families, our first priority is the safety of our participants and staff. Because of the impact of COVID-19, we have decided to pause in-person contact with participants. If you have already scheduled an in-person postnatal study visit with us, a study staff member will reach out to you to discuss options to cancel or reschedule your visit.

That doesn’t mean you won’t hear from us. We will focus on communicating with you through other means. For example, we will reach out to you over email or phone to complete our questionnaires. The information you have trusted us with is helping us understand what makes a child healthy and why they become sick. We have also prepared some COVID-19 mental health resources for families that you might find helpful.