Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens Awarded the American Thoracic Society 2026 Public Service Award for Promoting Respiratory Health
Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens Awarded the American Thoracic Society 2026 Public Service Award for Promoting Respiratory Health
Category: press
Dr. Osterhoudt Testifies at Philadelphia City Hall on Child Safety and Unregulated Intoxicants
On May 21, Dr. Kevin Osterhoudt testified before Philadelphia City Council’s Commerce Committee in support of Bill No. 260163, legislation aimed at regulating so-called “hemp-derived” cannabinoid products (such as delta-8 THC) and kratom.
CEHN’s 2026 Voter Guide for Children’s Environmental Health and Companion Toolkit
The Children’s Environmental Health Network is excited to announce the release of our 2026 Voter Guide for Children’s Environmental Health and Companion Toolkit.
Heating Up to Expectations
Research from climate scientist Michael Mann and colleagues vindicates climate models and reframes the record heat of 2024.
Penn researchers advance detection of microplastics in water as federal effort ramps up
As concerns grow over microplastics in drinking water and the environment, researchers at Penn are working to simplify how the tiny particles are detected – a mission now backed by new federal attention and funding.
Samantha McBride lab is working on new ways to detect microplastics
In Philadelphia, Penn has a microplastics lab that’s working on creating new detection methods and ways to clean up the potential toxins.
PRCCEH in the community!
PRCCEH has been across the Philadelphia region this spring educating students, health professionals and partners about children’s environmental health issues and programs.
Extreme temperatures, neighborhood opportunity, & pediatric primary care outcome: Webinar Recording
In this webinar, Dr. Stephanie Mayne from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will present results from a PRCCEH-funded pilot study examining the association of extreme temperatures with missed pediatric preventive visits.
State of the Air Report Cards
The American Lung Association “State of the Air 2026” report ranks cities and grades counties based on their levels of ozone and two measures of particle pollution in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Making older homes a safer haven for young families in Lancaster
After five years, the Lead-Free Families initiative is proving the impact of a health system investing in safe homes.
Baggies, retainers and more: 5 microplastics questions, answered
Is it okay to store food in plastic bags in your freezer? Which foods have a lot of microplastics? This is what I tell my patients.
New science finds babies exposed to more ‘forever chemicals’ than previously known
Two new studies show scope of contamination and need to regulate PFAS as a class. One of the studies was co-written by our PRCCEH Co-Director Aimin Chen, MD, PhD.
Before You Light Your Fireplace, Use These Tips to Make it Safer for Your Lungs
Experts explain how to enjoy your fireplace safely this winter and protect yourself from indoor air pollutants.
Healthy Housing Best Practice Policy Brief
This policy brief builds on the learnings from Penn Center for Public Health’s October 17, 2025, Healthy Housing Symposium. It outlines evidence-informed recommendations and practices to reduce the risks and burdens of unhealthy housing and to expand access to healthy homes.
Consumer Reports Tested 41 Baby Formulas for Lead and Arsenic
Consumer Reports tested 41 types of powdered formula for a number of toxic chemicals, including arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, and PFAS. We looked at established formulas , newer startups, popular store brands, and imported brands.
PRCCEH 2025 Year in Review
Thank you for another great year at Philadelphia Regional Center for Children’s Environmental Health. We appreciate all our wonderful members, partners, and collaborators. Please enjoy this infographic of the year that was!
Researchers create ‘digital monument’ to site of 2019 South Philly refinery explosion
A new website details over a century of a tumultuous, industrial history at the facility, which has since been demolished by its new owners.
New MCH Center of Excellence at Drexel Dornsife Will Expand Maternal and Child Health Training Programs
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health is proud to be named a Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science and Practice. Drexel’s program was selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau (HRSA MCHB) as one of only 13 MCH Centers of Excellence in the United States.
Philadelphia scientists will receive more than $6 million in funding from NIH’s new autism research center
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University research teams were among 13 funded nationally.
Philly and two other PA cities ranked among worst places to live for people with asthma
The 2025 U.S. Asthma Capitals report identifies cities with high rates of asthma-related emergency room visits and deaths.
Deeply Rooted models effective community-academic partnership to advance health and environmental justice in Philadelphia
Deeply Rooted has planted over 1,000 trees, greened over 1,000 vacant lots, and funded 79 community grants.
The health risks from plastics almost nobody knows about
Phthalates, chemicals found in plastics, are linked to an array of problems, especially in pregnancy
Study finds children’s health broadly declining in the U.S.
Using data from 2007 to 2023, researchers from Penn Medicine and CHOP found measures like mental health and obesity, as well as infant and child mortality rose.
Eco-nesting: how to protect your baby from hidden toxic chemicals
“Eco-nesting” is a growing trend that approaches nesting with a focus on avoiding the many everyday products that contain chemicals known to hurt babies’ and pregnant people’s health.