Environmental Health

Three young children play on a carpet with toy cars in a classroom.

Team of researchers seeks to mitigate flu and other respiratory viruses for children in indoor environments

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan, the University of Pittsburgh, Emory University, Virginia Tech, and Georgetown University are collaborating to investigate the transmission of flu in child care settings. Emily Martin, associate professor of Epidemiology at Michigan Public Health, is co-lead for one of the projects focusing on environmental factors driving flu transmission in child care settings.

Different types of children's toys

In This Season of Giving, Watch Out for Harmful Chemicals in Plastic Toys

Q&A with Olivier Jolliet and Lei Huang

Whether it's a baby Yoda, a plastic building brick or a fashion doll, all toys contain chemicals that give them desired properties: the right hardiness or elasticity, bright colors and fragrances. But these chemicals could also come with health risks, says Olivier Jolliet, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

An overhead view of a house under construction.

Research Identifies 55 Dangerous Chemicals in Building Materials

New research from Lei Huang and Olivier Jolliet

University of Michigan researchers have identified 55 chemicals of concern found in the walls, floors, ceilings and furniture in homes across the United States, including some that have concentrations that are 1,000 times higher than recommended.

A person runs on a trail near a factory with a plume of smoke.

Researchers From U-M, MSU, OU Team Up To Develop Wearable Pollution-Measuring Technology

New research from Tim Dvonch

With the support of a $2.78 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Oakland University are teaming up to develop wearable technology able to identify particulate matter pollution such as soot and toxic metals generated by cars, trucks and industrial sources.