# Chemical Research Funding for Brain Development

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/chemical-research-funding-for-brain-development/
- Published: 2014-03-05T02:20:16-05:00
- Author: greenguruguides

[⌊U.S. EPA Awards U.C. Davis $800,000 to Study How Chemical Exposures May Impact
Brain Development⌉⌊U.S. EPA Awards U.C. Davis $800,000 to Study How Chemical Exposures
May Impact Brain Development⌉[

## EPA Invests $3 Million to Protect Our Children’s Brains from Chemical Exposure

I’m thrilled to share some fantastic news from the environmental protection front
relating to chemical research! For the EPA is taking a major step toward understanding
how chemicals in our environment might be affecting our children’s developing brains.
This is exactly the kind of research we need to create a safer, greener future for
everyone.

### Breaking Down the EPA’s Bold Investment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded over $3 million in grants to
four top chemical research institutions focused on understanding the interactions
between chemicals and [biological processes](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/09/epa-awards-almost-11-million-advancing-chemical-safety-research/)
that might alter brain development. Each institution. That’s including UC Davis 
in California, for are receiving $800,000 to conduct specialized chemical research
on developmental [neurotoxicity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/07/coal-ashgroundwater-contamination-report-33-active-toxic-dumps-in-19-states-endangering-water/).

### Why This Research Matters for Our Families

“This research will transform our understanding of how exposure to chemicals during
sensitive lifestages affects the development of the brain,” says Lek Kadeli from
the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. I couldn’t agree more! As parents 
and community members, we want to protect our children from harmful chemical exposures,
but first, we need to understand exactly how these chemicals might affect developing
brains.

### UC Davis Leading the Charge on Thyroid Research

The team at UC Davis will be investigating how toxic chemicals affect [thyroid hormone](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/07/leap-engine-american-airlines-sustainable-choice/)(
TH), which plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment. Their research will help identify
vulnerable parts of the neurodevelopment systems and improve health impact assessments.
This could be game-changing for how we evaluate the safety of chemicals in our homes
and environment!

### Building a Greener, Safer Future Through Science

These chemical research grants focus on developing better adverse outcome pathways(
AOPs). That’s essentially roadmaps that connect chemical exposures to health effects.
By combining data from different sources, scientists can predict how chemicals interact
with our biological processes. The EPA will use this knowledge to develop more efficient
models for predicting potential neurodevelopmental issues from environmental chemicals.

I’m excited to see how this chemical research accelerates chemical safety screening,
protects vulnerable populations, and helps develop more sustainable chemical alternatives–
all cornerstones of the greener future we’re working toward!

For more information about these awards visit: [http://epa.gov/ncer/adversepath](https://www.epa.gov/research-grants)

For more information on EPA’s National Research Program on Chemical Safety, visit:
[http://www.epa.gov/research/chemicalscience/](https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research)

Image Source: [http://www.flickr.com/#/photos/sova5/7672737784/](http://www.flickr.com/#/photos/sova5/7672737784/)

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 greenguruguides

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman, is recognized as a green living guru and electric
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