Children's Health and Research on Metals (CHaRM)

Children’s Health and Research on Metals (CHaRM) is a research study led by Dr. Elaine Symanski, a professor and director of the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH) at UTHealth School of Public Health. The goals of the study are to 1) assess metal exposure among children in underserved neighborhoods near industrial facilities in Houston, 2) evaluate the impact of flooding on exposure, and 3) increase the capacity of parents to minimize their children's metal exposure.

The CHaRM team is conducting the following activities in Houston neighborhoods (Northside/5th Ward, Magnolia Park and South Park):

Collect soil samples to measure metals
Collect urine samples from children (aged 7-12) to measure metals
Conduct health survey
Report individual metal results to participants

In August and September, the team is holding a series of recruitment events by working together with community leaders. We encourage families living in Northside/5^th Ward, Magnolia Park East, Magnolia Park West and South Park areas to participate in the study.

Click on your neighborhood for more information on each of these events.

CHaRM is part of Metal Air Pollution Partnership Solutions (MAPPS) project supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Grant No. 5R01ES023563.

Please come to one of the events listed below. Eligibility requirements for participation in the CHaRM study are listed in the neighborhood-specific flyers below.

5th Ward/Northside Neighborhood

Saturday, August 3, 10 am - 2 pm
Saturday, September 7, 10 am - 2 pm

at Wesley Community Center

Magnolia Park and nearby areas

Saturday, August 10, 9 am - 1 pm
El Centro de Corazon Magnolia Health Center

Saturday, August 24, 10 am - 2 pm
DeZavala Park Community Center

Saturday, September 21, 10 am - 2 pm
Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA)

Children's Health and Research on Metals (CHaRM)