Our project has a major goal to overcome barriers to the widespread adoption of Silicone Wristbands (SWBs) for personalized environmental monitoring. Despite their proven effectiveness in research, SWBs are not yet available to the consumer market due to high analysis costs, challenges in understanding skin and air exposures, and the complexity of wristband data. 

 

To address these issues, we aim to: 

 

·         Reduce costs by focusing chemical analyses on high impact compounds that are frequently detected and of high interest. 

·         Improve understanding of the effect and magnitude of skin and air exposures when reporting chemical data from SWBs. 

·         Simplify data reporting to make it accessible not just to researchers, but also to people with less exposure science experience. 

 

We are on a mission to deepen our understanding of personal exposures to organic chemicals. Our study involves 350 volunteers wearing two passive samplers—a silicone wristband and a necklace—for at least 8 hours a day over 3 consecutive days. These samplers will be analyzed for over 1500 chemicals. The dual sampler approach helps us predict the source of a chemical—be it air or contact exposures. We’re particularly interested in exposure to smoke, pesticides, flame retardants, and personal care products. Our commitment extends beyond data collection; we aim to empower individuals with insights into their own exposure levels and provide strategies to reduce unwanted exposures. Together, we can enhance global environmental health knowledge. 

 

General FAQs for the project: 

1.      What are the samplers made of? The samplers are made of silicone and are designed to be safe and comfortable to wear.  All metal components are made of stainless steel and have been cleaned before use. 

2.      Do I have to wear the samplers in the shower or while sleeping? Not at all!  Just put the samplers back in the packaging they came in and seal them up.  We don’t want to have folks be uncomfortable in the study.  If you choose to wear the samplers in the shower or while sleeping that is up to you. 

3.      How long will I need to participate in the study? Participants are asked to wear the samplers for at least 8 hours a day over 3 days. It is OK to wear for more than 8 hours, and the days do not have to be back-to-back as long as the samplers are stored appropriately in the meantime (in packaging and sealed). 

4.      What happens if I forget to wear the samplers? If you forget to wear the samplers, it’s important to put them back on as soon as you remember. The more consistent you are with wearing the samplers, the more accurate the data will be. 

5.      What will happen to the data collected from my samplers? The data collected from your samplers will be used to help us understand personal exposures to organic chemicals. Your personal information will be kept confidential. 

6.      Will I get to see the results from my samplers? Yes, we are committed to providing participants with informative reports based on the wristband samples.  The necklace data will be added to overall report results we will make publicly available after the end of the study. 

7.      What types of chemicals are you testing for? We are testing for over 1500 chemical compounds including volatiles, pesticides, flame retardants, phthalates, fragrances, and food-related chemicals. 

8.      What should I do if I have a reaction to the samplers? If you have a reaction to the samplers, please remove them and contact the study team.  While it is rare for folks to have silicone or stainless steel skin irritation, we do not want anyone uncomfortable in the study. 

9.      Can I participate if I have a silicone/stainless steel allergy? Unfortunately, due to the nature of the samplers, individuals with a silicone or stainless steel allergy cannot participate in this study. 

10. What happens if I lose my samplers? If you lose your samplers, please contact the study team as soon as possible for further instructions. 

11. Can I participate if I’m pregnant or have a medical condition? Absolutely, although we make no claims about any health benefits from study outcomes. If unsure, please consult with your healthcare provider before participating in the study. 

12. Can children participate in the study? The study is eligible to children 5 and up, and depending on the state, young adults 18-21 may still require parental approval before participating. Please consider the study objectives before asking a child to participate (example: 2 samplers for at least 8 hours a day).   

13. How should I store the samplers when I’m not wearing them? When not in use, the samplers should be stored in the packaging they came in and sealed until they are ready to be worn again. 

14. What should I do with the samplers after the study? After the study, the samplers should be placed back in the air-tight bags they came in and mailed back to the study team.