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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

John Schelp
Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation
Bldg. 31, Rm. B1C02/31 Center Dr. MSC 2256
Bethesda, MD 20892-2256
Phone: (301) 496-3511
Fax: (301) 496-0563
URL: h ttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/

Mission Statement

 
The mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is to reduce the burden of environmentally associated diseases and dysfunctions by defining (1) how environmental exposures affect our health, (2) how individuals differ in their susceptibility to these effects and (3) how these susceptibilities change over time. NIEHS achieves its mission through multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention and intervention efforts and communication strategies that encompass training, education, technology transfer and community outreach.

  • Geographic focus: national
  • No membership
  • Other organizational activities (not directed specifically toward children): community research, education, grantmaking, research, training

    • Children's Environmental Health Activities

    		 
    NIEHS top research priorities for children's health research include:

    Pesticide Toxicity: A recent National Academy of Sciences report raised concerns that infants and children might be more sensitive than adults to the effect of pesticides. If true, then the pesticide residue levels now allowed in food and liquids would need to be reexamined in light of this more vulnerable population. The NIEHS, under the auspices of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), is conducting studies to provide the database needed to determine if infants and children are more susceptible to adverse effects of pesticide exposure. In the studies, rodents will be dosed from infancy and followed into adulthood to see what effect early pesticide exposure has on their health and reproductive potential.

    Endocrine Disruption: Many synthetic compounds released into the environment have been shown in wildlife to disrupt the biochemical events critical to normal development of young animals. How this observation translates to humans, who are exposed to much lower levels of these compounds, is of concern. The NIEHS is supporting numerous studies to examine the potential of synthetic compounds to disrupt the endocrine system and to understand the consequences of this disruption to the reproductive, neurological and immunological systems of young animals.

    Succimer Treatment for Lead Exposure: NIEHS-supported research has helped identify the subtle neurologic and behavioral consequences arising from low lead exposures during infancy and childhood. These effects include lowered IQ, poor coordination and increased aggression. At present there is no acceptable therapy for treating children having low blood lead levels. The NIEHS is sponsoring clinical trials to see if an oral chelating drug, Succimer, can be used to reverse neurological effects associated with low blood lead levels in children. Nutritional supplementation is also an adjunct to the therapy.

    Asthma: Asthma is on the increase, affecting 2 to 5 million children. It appears to disproportionately affect African-American and Hispanic children. The NIEHS is pursuing several lines of investigation into the environmental components of this disease. In one study, the Inner-City Asthma Study, NIEHS and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) are conducting cooperative intervention trials to evaluate a comprehensive, culturally appropriate and cost-effective intervention to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality among under-served inner-city children ages 4-12 years. Another study will determine if environmental intervention aimed at reducing dust mite and cockroach allergen levels in low-income homes can prevent sensitization to aeroallergens and reduce the prevalence of asthma in high-risk children.

    Please note: the information presented above was provided and reviewed for accuracy by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and was not verified independently by the Children's Environmental Health Network.
    Publication date: 5/5/99