Programs

Faculty Training Programs

Student Training Programs

Research

The original Environmental Health & Toxicology Research Program (EHTRP), funded in 1992 by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as part of its Substance-Specific Applied Research Program (SSARP), is a shining example of research collaboration effectiveness. This program, now in its 13th year, has at one time or another involved all of the AMHPS institutions (excluding Howard University).

As mandated by Congress, this research program was designed to:

• Fill gaps in the scientific community concerning the health impact of the most common hazardous substances found in the environment.

• Strengthen the environmental health research opportunities for scientists and students and AMHPS institutions.

• Enhance existing disciplinary capacities to conduct research in toxicology, environmental health and biomedical sciences.

• Contribute to the production of outstanding environmental health professionals committed to serving minority communities and disadvantaged populations.

During these past years, researchers at our member institutions addressed 14 ATSDR data needs for the following 12 priority hazardous substances:

• Lead

• Mercury

• Benzene

• Cadmium

• Benzo [a] pyrene

• Fluoranthene

• Trichlorocthylene

• Toluene

• Zinc

• Manganese

• Chlordane

• Di-N-butylphthalate

The primary objective of the previously funded research projects was to understand the linkage between exposure to hazardous substances such as lead, zinc, manganese, chlordane and di-N-butylphthalate and their effects on human health. The results of these studies will reduce the uncertainties of public health assessments and will provide the most effective measures to prevent or mitigate the adverse human health effects of these toxic substances.

Along with developing an understanding of the linkage between exposure to hazardous substances and their human effects, the ten-year program provided an opportunity for the development of environmental health science research at minority institutions. Participating institutions have grown from zero capacity for providing quality environmental health science research to being recognized nationally and internationally for their accomplishments.

Over the past 10 years research conducted under this program by our member institutions included:

• Relationship between lead exposure and elevated blood pressure. Communities.

• Prevalence of lead exposure to minority children in selected Atlanta communities.

• Identification of the mechanism of the neurotoxicity of lead and manganese.

• Environmental multimedia study of lead, cadmium, zinc and manganese in an urban setting.

• Multigenerational Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene on reproduction.

• Multigenerational Effects of Zinc Chloride in Mice.

The Association of Minority Health Professions Schools recently began a 5-year study addressing "Healthy People 2010" focus areas including environmental health; health communications; maternal, infant and child health; and educational community-based programs.

The purpose of the current program is to apply findings from previous EHTRP research and its impact on public health. Research findings will provide critical information necessary to address national environmental concerns, support efforts to eliminate racial and/or ethnic disparities in health and help achieve the Federal government's goals in environmental justice.

Periodic updates on the progress of the research being conducted will be published here.

Environmental Health, Health Services and Toxicology Research Program Community Education These activities were funded by ATSDR/AMHPS (Grant Number U50 TS 473408-04) 1. Dr. Fran Close, FAMU Community Based Internships to Address Environmental Issues Air Pollution Fact Sheet Coal-Fired Power Plant Emissions Fact Sheet Coal-Fired Power Plant Emissions Fact Sheet 2 2. Dr. R. Renee Reams, FAMU Pb/Mn: Cell Signaling and Gene Expression in Primary Neurons Oxidative Stress Brochure 3. Dr. Beverly Taylor, MSM Environmental Medicine Program Facts about Lead 4. Dr. Lanell Ogden, Tuskegee Effects of Arsenic and Dieldrin Mixtures on Reproduction Toxic Effects - Arsenic and Dieldrin Mixtures Presentation 5. Dr. Howard Mielke, Xavier Study of As, Se, Hg, & Mo in Rural and Urban New Orleans Protect Children and Pets from Lead-Dust Fact Sheet Lead found in soil of many areas or N.O. Newspaper Article 6. Dr. Guangdi Wang, Xavier Quantitative Determination of PCB’s, PAH’s, and Heavy Metals in the Urban Environment of New Orleans Reduce Your Risk of Exposure to PAH’s