Abstract
BackgroundThere is global concern over significant threats from a wide variety of environmental hazards to which children face. Large-scale and long-term birth cohort studies are needed for better environmental management based on sound science. The primary objective of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), a nation-wide birth cohort study that started its recruitment in January 2011, is to elucidate environmental factors that affect children’s health and development.Methods/DesignApproximately 100,000 expecting mothers who live in designated study areas will be recruited over a 3-year period from January 2011. Participating children will be followed until they reach 13 years of age. Exposure to environmental factors will be assessed by chemical analyses of bio-specimens (blood, cord blood, urine, breast milk, and hair), household environment measurements, and computational simulations using monitoring data (e.g. ambient air quality monitoring) as well as questionnaires. JECS’ priority outcomes include reproduction/pregnancy complications, congenital anomalies, neuropsychiatric disorders, immune system disorders, and metabolic/endocrine system disorders. Genetic factors, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors will also be examined as covariates and potential confounders. To maximize representativeness, we adopted provider-mediated community-based recruitment.DiscussionThrough JECS, chemical substances to which children are exposed during the fetal stage or early childhood will be identified. The JECS results will be translated to better risk assessment and management to provide healthy environment for next generations.
Highlights
There is global concern over significant threats from a wide variety of environmental hazards to which children face
Through Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), chemical substances to which children are exposed during the fetal stage or early childhood will be identified
In recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding the vulnerability of children to harmful substances in the surrounding environment
Summary
There has been a growing concern regarding the vulnerability of children to harmful substances in the surrounding environment. Children eat processed foods, wrapped in plastics, and are living in the environment filled with novel chemicals Even though those chemicals are thoroughly tested before they reach the market, we have little knowledge about their effects on children’s health and development, especially when they exist as a mixture. Authors’ information Toshihiro Kawamoto is the director of National Center for Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and the professor of Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health. Naoya Tsukamoto is the former director of Environment Risk Assessment Office, Environmental Health Department, MOE, and the director of Industrial Waste Management Division, MOE, 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8975, Japan. Takehiro Michikawa and Ayano Takeuchi are researchers of National Center for JECS and Center for Environmental Health Sciences, NIES Hiroshi Satoh is the former director of National Center for JECS and an acting director of Food Safely Commission, Cabinet Office, 5-2-20 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6122, Japan
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