Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental Health

New Study: Blood lead levels in young children in the United States declined in the last decade, but state data reveal that children of color and children from low-wealth families are still exposed to higher levels of lead, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health. No level of lead in children's blood is safe.

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/epdf/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308468

Authors include PRCCEH Co-Director Aimin Chen, PhD, MD and researchers from Harvard University, Drexel University, George Mason University, Brown University, Project TENDR and more

Join the Penn EES HDR Awards Ceremony featuring Dr. Michelle Bell. The Awards Ceremony will begin at 2:30pm in DRL Room A1, where we will recognize the departmental, student, and faculty achievements that have made this year exceptional.

https://earth.sas.upenn.edu/events/hdr-lecture-and-reception

Dr. Siddhartha Roy and his team from joined our Center for a lead soil testing event at Chester Stem Academy today.

It’s Earth Week at Penn! There are plenty of events on campus and online for the eco-minded. bit.ly/earthweekpenn

Join PRCCEH at these great community events next month! One in and one in

New research adds to the evidence that everyday chemical exposures can shape children’s health before birth.

A recent study from researchers at the Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards at NYU Langone Health links prenatal exposure to certain phthalates—chemicals commonly found in plastics, food packaging, and personal care products—to millions of preterm births and thousands of infant deaths globally.

Children’s health starts long before birth. We need stronger policies that reduce harmful chemical exposures and put babies, families, and healthy environments first.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/31/health/phthalates-infant-death-prematurity-wellness

Join PRCCEH at these great community events next month!

Happy Earth Month!

Know the number: 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Control hotline in our region connects to CHOP experts.