We are a source of medical information and advice on the influence of environmental exposures on reproductive and children's health. Heading link

The Great Lakes Center for Reproductive and Children’s Environmental Health was established in 1999 in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry to promote and protect children's health through prevention, education, diagnosis and treatment of environmentally related diseases.

The Center is one of 10 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) across the country dedicated to reproductive and children's environmental health issues.‌‌ Our primary area of focus is EPA Region 5, which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Our PEHSU has experts in pediatrics, toxicology, occupational and environmental medicine, and reproductive health. We work with physicians, parents, schools, community groups, and public health agencies to address reproductive and children's environmental health issues.
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PFAS overview Heading link

A doctor's perspective on PFAS Heading link

Healty Eating Series: How to safely wash produce in the time of COVID Heading link

Healthy Eating Series: How to navigate the dirty dozen Heading link

Healthy Eating Series: How to prevent salmonella Heading link

Healthy Eating Series: Climate change and eating less meat Heading link

Healthy Eating Series: Have you thought about composting? Heading link

The Great Lakes Center for Children’s Environmental Health recognizes that African American communities have historically suffered from a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution. Combined with the adverse health effects caused by lack of access to medical care, fresh food, and community economic investment, the additional burden of living with poor air quality, contaminated drinking water and soil, and older housing stock is absolutely unacceptable and must be remedied. To that end, the national PEHSU network, with input from this Center, is currently undertaking a strategic planning process that increases our focus on ending environmental injustice. We look forward to increasing our efforts in this arena.

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Connect with our resources Heading link

Tools for healthcare providers to make informed decisions about the environmental health issues in their communities.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer Heading link

The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) are supported by cooperative agreement FAIN: NU61TS000356 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR).  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides support through Inter-Agency Agreement 24TSS2400078 with CDC/ATSDR. The Public Health Institute supports the PEHSU as the National Program Office. The content on this website has not been formally disseminated by CDC/ATSDR or the EPA and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Use of trade names that may be mentioned is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the CDC/ATSDR or EPA.

Acknowledgement: The information contained on The Great Lakes Center for Reproductive and Children’s Environmental Health webpage should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your/your child’s primary care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.