Evaluative and Clinical Perinatal Research Unit (URCEP)

MIREC-ID - Recherche en périnatalité sur les produits chimiques de l’environnement, les effets sur le développement des enfants

The consequences of prenatal exposures to environmental contaminants (ECs) has become a key public policy issue, particularly given studies showing deleterious effects at levels of exposure considered low and experienced by general populations. While evidence is accumulating for the adverse effects of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals on child health and development, emerging POPs and plasticizers have been identified as potentially hazardous to children, but their effects have not been studied and the mechanisms of toxicity remain largely unknown. Two key physiological systems, endocrine and cardiovascular, are potential pathways and effect modifiers that may potentiate or protect from adverse outcomes that deserve further investigation. This study will take advantage of the MIREC national pregnancy cohort to address these issues. Relevant data will be made available for public policies aimed at reducing the potentially significant burden of ECs on our society.