Welcome to the Chemicals, Health and Pregnancy Study (CHirP)!

Update, summer 2008: Please note that we have finished enrolling women for the CHirP study. Please contact us if you would like to receive a summary of the study results in the fall of 2009!

Why are we doing this study?

We are investigating whether flame retardant chemicals (e.g. PBDEs) and stain and water repellents (e.g. PFCs) have an influence on thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy. This question is important because thyroid hormones help to control fetal brain development.

These chemicals, found in the home and workplace environment, can leach out of products and build up in human tissues. Since these chemicals are found at low levels in all Canadians, we are also trying to identify the main sources of human exposure to these chemicals.

This study will help us:

Determine if the current levels of PBDEs and PFCs found in the Vancouver region might be of concern for public health, and
Learn how to reduce exposures to these chemicals in the future.

This website provides background information on PBDEs and PFCs and outlines the study goals and procedures.

If you have any questions, please contact us.
We would be happy to discuss the study with you!