Environmental Health

Different types of children's toys

In This Season of Giving, Watch Out for Harmful Chemicals in Plastic Toys

Q&A with Olivier Jolliet and Lei Huang

Whether it's a baby Yoda, a plastic building brick or a fashion doll, all toys contain chemicals that give them desired properties: the right hardiness or elasticity, bright colors and fragrances. But these chemicals could also come with health risks, says Olivier Jolliet, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

An overhead view of a house under construction.

Research Identifies 55 Dangerous Chemicals in Building Materials

New research from Lei Huang and Olivier Jolliet

University of Michigan researchers have identified 55 chemicals of concern found in the walls, floors, ceilings and furniture in homes across the United States, including some that have concentrations that are 1,000 times higher than recommended.

A person runs on a trail near a factory with a plume of smoke.

Researchers From U-M, MSU, OU Team Up To Develop Wearable Pollution-Measuring Technology

New research from Tim Dvonch

With the support of a $2.78 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Oakland University are teaming up to develop wearable technology able to identify particulate matter pollution such as soot and toxic metals generated by cars, trucks and industrial sources.