The Michigan PBB Registry was established in order to study the health of thousands of people exposed to brominated flame retardants as a result of the largest agricultural disaster in US history. Previous research by this team has shown significant health effects associated with exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) including earlier menarche, increased risk of miscarriages and lower estrogen levels among women, and more urogenital problems among men. Over the past few years, Emory researchers have conducted over a dozen community meetings throughout Michigan, collaborated with community partners, shared research findings with the community, responded to community needs, and sought community input for future research plans. This proposed study, collaboratively developed by scientists, community partners, and public health officials, addresses several major concerns expressed by the PBB community. Specifically, affected individuals have expressed interest in a possible treatment to remove PBBs from their bodies, concern about heritable effects from PBB on their children and grandchildren, continuing health concerns beyond those related to reproduction, and frustration that local health-care providers seem unaware of the statewide PBB exposure and/or its possible health effects. To address these concerns, the proposed study has four specific aims. The first is to evaluate the utility of nutritional supplement, a non-absorbable artificial fat, as a potential means of accelerating the elimination of PBB by conducting a randomized double-blind trial.
The second aim will explore the heritability of changes in the epigenome associated with PBB exposure by studying 25 families across three generations. The epigenome of parents, their children, and their grandchildren will be examined to determine if epigenetic patterns associated with direct exposure to PBB of parents are apparent in the children and grandchildren.
Aim three will address community concerns regarding additional health effects beyond reproductive outcomes. Participants, including 575 new enrollees, will complete health questionnaires and provide serum samples for analysis to determine if PBB exposure is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, joint pain/disorder, cancer, immune function and liver/pancreatic problems. If any of the self-identified adverse outcomes are associated with PBB exposure, additional funding will be sought to further explore these associations. Finally, the public health action plan will seek t raise environmental health awareness in Michigan. Educational programs will be developed for healthcare providers, policy-makers, and citizens to increase local capacity to address exposure concerns.

Public Health Relevance

According to the USEPA, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that adversely affect human health and the environment, that persist for long periods of time in the environment and the human body, and that accumulate up the food chain. The primary goals of this project are 1) to evaluate a method aimed at accelerating the elimination of POPs from exposed individuals 2) to explore the heritability of changes in gene expression associated with POP exposure. This project is a collaborative effort among the affected community, public health officials, and scientists that will work to empower exposed individuals, their families and health care providers to address health concerns and the health of future generations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES025775-04
Application #
9693236
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
O'Fallon, Liam
Project Start
2016-05-01
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2019-05-01
Budget End
2020-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Jacobson, Melanie H; Howards, Penelope P; Darrow, Lyndsey A et al. (2018) Thyroid hormones and menstrual cycle function in a longitudinal cohort of premenopausal women. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 32:225-234
Curtis, Sarah W; Conneely, Karen N; Marder, Mary E et al. (2018) Intergenerational effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds: a review of the Michigan polybrominated biphenyl registry. Epigenomics 10:845-858
Jacobson, Melanie H; Darrow, Lyndsey A; Barr, Dana Boyd et al. (2017) Serum Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Thyroid Function among Michigan Adults Several Decades after the 1973-1974 PBB Contamination of Livestock Feed. Environ Health Perspect 125:097020
Marder, M Elizabeth; Panuwet, Parinya; Hunter, Ronald E et al. (2016) Quantification of Polybrominated and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Human Matrices by Isotope-Dilution Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 40:511-8
Wainstock, Tamar; Pearce, Brad; Barr, Dana B et al. (2016) Exposure to PBB-153 and Digit Ratio. Early Hum Dev 103:33-35
Terrell, Metrecia L; Rosenblatt, Karin A; Wirth, Julie et al. (2016) Breast cancer among women in Michigan following exposure to brominated flame retardants. Occup Environ Med 73:564-7