Education Resources & Guides

Scientific manuscripts can be difficult for the general public to read and understand. Writing a lay-abstract helps to get your research message out to the masses!

The CEC asked recipients of CEG funding to write lay-abstracts describing some of their recent research findings. Lay-abstracts are research summaries written in simple, non-technical language meant to convey the essence of a research project for members of the general public. Check out our featured lay-abstracts below!

HEPA Filtration Improves Indoor Air Quality and Asthma Control in Children Exposed to Traffic‐related Airborne Particles

Traffic is a major source of airborne particles in urban environments. Traffic-related particles can efficiently penetrate from outdoors to indoors and negatively affect indoor air quality in homes close to highways. Exposure to these particles has been associated with increased asthma among children. This study aimed to assess if a portable air purifier equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can reduce the indoor concentrations of traffic-related particles. Continue Reading

Exposure to PFOA Decreases Immune Response

The man-made chemical called PFOA, short for perfluorooctanoic acid, is used in many consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water resistant outerwear, stain resistant coatings, cleaners, and even fire-fighting foams. PFOA can be found everywhere in the environment, including drinking water, and because it is a very stable chemical, it does not break down in the environment easily. This means that nearly all Americans have been exposed to PFOA and have small amounts of PFOA in our blood. This is a concern because PFOA has been found to suppress the immune system, which means that exposed people may become sick more often. Continue Reading

Trimester Specific PM2.5 Exposure and Fetal Growth in Ohio, 2007-2010

Air pollution has different components in it that can be harmful to humans, including particles and gases. The smallest particles in air, also called PM_2.5, can cross into our blood after we breathe them into our lungs and cause inflammation in our bodies. When pregnant women breathe in these particles, it can lead to inflammation in the placenta and may reduce the nutrient supplies from the mother to the baby. Some scientists have wondered whether women who live in places with higher air pollution would give birth to babies that are smaller than they should be. Continue Reading

Cicadas Are Not Harmful To Humans. However, the Use of Chemicals Like Pesticides to Eliminate or Control Them Can Be.

The CEC asked CEG/CEC Stakeholder Advisory Board Member, Kimberly Yolton, PhD, for information regarding the 2021 Cicada Brood X Emergence and the use of pesticides. The following video was created featuring input the CEC received. Become a Citizen Scientist! We also support downloading the Cicada Safari App, developed by Dr. Gene Kritsky at Mount St. Joseph University, to help scientists track Brood X.

COVID-19 Safe & Healthy @ Home

5 Ways to Protect Your Family from Lead (Pb) at Home

We all know that lead is bad for young kids. Many parents and doctors are concerned about children staying home in houses with lead paint. Since it can take a while to get the lead fixed in these homes, it's important for families to know 5 steps they can take to protect their kids. Check out this new video by CEC co-leader, Dr. Nick Newman and family. Dr. Newman is the Medical Director of the Pediatric Environmental Health and Lead Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Find the complimentary educational flyer here: (PDF) COVID-19 Safe and Healthy Home Lead (Pb)

COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Parent Guides

Tips & Facts to Help Families with Life in the Time of COVID-19

Living in a time of pandemic has brought many changes to our lives and daily routines. As families, we worry about the health and safety of our children. Our changes in routine due to COVID-19 open the path for other health risks. The CEC has created a collection of Parent Guides with tips and facts to inform families on these increased environmental exposures. Full-size printable versions can be accessed by clicking on the PDF link or the image.

Toy Disinfection: (PDF) COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Toy Disinfection Parents

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Air Quality (click graphic for printable jpeg): (PDF) COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Air Quality

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Hand Sanitizer (click graphic for printable jpeg): (PDF) COVID-19 Safe & Healthy - Hand Sanitizer

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