ECHO Chemical Exposures Research
Chemical Exposures
The ECHO Program’s uniquely diverse, nationwide research network includes more than 64,000 children and families. It allows researchers to investigate how chemical exposures can influence a child’s development during pregnancy and their weight, breathing, mental health, and more as they grow up.
ECHO Discovery
Webinar Recordings
Early Life PFAS Exposure and Child Health: Evidence from the NIH ECHO Cohort
Resources
Visit these government sites to learn more about chemical exposure initiatives.
QUESTIONS
For more information, please email the NIH at NIHKidsandEnvironment@od.nih.gov.
For media inquiries or to request an interview, contact Rebekah Yeager at rebekah.yeager@nih.gov.
Every day, we encounter environmental chemicals, including in our water, food, household products, and the air we breathe. The ECHO Program is dedicated to understanding how exposure to these chemicals impacts the health and well-being of children and families. ECHO researchers explore the health effects of various chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), lead, phthalates, phenols, parabens, and others.
What We're Learning
Since its launch, the ECHO Program has published more than 2,200 research articles on a wide range of child health topics. Within this body of work, many studies have examined chemical exposures.
Here are some research highlights:
Exposure to Flame-Retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy Associated with Differences in Child Growth Patterns
April 8, 2026
Prenatal exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) is associated with altered child growth trajectories, with some chemicals linked to faster increases in BMI and weight while others were associated with slower growth.
Exposure to Certain Flame-retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy May Be Linked with Decreased Cognitive Function in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds
February 1, 2026
Prenatal exposure to certain organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants is associated with minor decreases in cognitive function in children aged 4 to 6.
ECHO Study Investigates Relationship Between Chemical Exposures, Pregnancy Stress, & Birth Outcomes
January 7, 2026
Exposure to common consumer and industrial chemicals was associated with shorter pregnancies and lower birthweights, particularly among women who also experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression.
PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy Not Associated with Behavior Issues in Children, ECHO Study Finds
September 2025
Most PFAS detected in pregnant mothers were not clearly linked to behavior problems in their children. However, children whose mothers had medium levels of perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) during pregnancy showed more emotional problems in preschool.
Exposure to Common Flame-Retardant Chemicals During Pregnancy May Be Associated with Behavioral Issues in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds
August 2025
Prenatal exposure to certain flame-retardant chemicals, including BBOEP and BCPP, was linked to more emotional and behavioral problems in some young children.
Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates, But Not Phthalate Replacements, Linked to Children’s Behavior, ECHO Study Finds
August 2025
Higher prenatal levels of certain phthalates were linked to small increases in aggression and attention problems in young children, with effects varying by sex and neighborhood, while other phthalates and replacements showed no clear associations.