Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (The MIREC Study)

Frequently Asked Questions - MIREC Study

Why this study is needed?

Recent reports have raised concerns about the number of chemicals in our bodies and the health effects, if any, which may be associated with the levels measured. Canadian data on this issue are limited. The study's data will help in risk assessments and risk management of environmental chemicals especially pertaining to exposures during pregnancy.

What is the duration of this study?

The study began in 2007 and is expected to be completed in 2012.

How many pregnant women will be recruited for this study?

Approximately 2,000 from 10 sites across Canada

Who is funding this study?

• Health Canada
• The Ontario Ministry of the Environment
• The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Who are the Investigators?

Co-principal investigators:

Tye Arbuckle, Ph.D., Senior Epidemiologist and Research Scientist, Health Canada, Ottawa

Dr. William D. Fraser, Chair, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Montreal and Associate Director of the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal

Co-investigators:

Health Canada

• Alain LeBlanc, Centre de toxicology, INSPQ
• Jean-Philippe Weber (retired)
• Pierre Julien, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHUQ)
• Denise Avard, McGill University
• Hope Weiler, McGill University
• Zhong-Cheng Luo, CHU Sainte-Justine
• Adrienne Ettinger, Harvard University
• Robert Platt, McGill University
• Grant Mitchell, CHU Sainte-Justine

Site Investigators:

• Peter von Dadelszen (Vancouver)
• Denise Hemmings and Jingwei Wang (Edmonton)
• Michael Helewa and Shayne Taback (Winnipeg)
• Mathew Sermer (Toronto)
• Warren Foster (Hamilton)
• Greg Ross and Paul Fredette (Sudbury)
• Graeme Smith (Kingston)
• Mark Walker (Ottawa)
• Roberta Shear (Montreal)
• Linda Dodds (Halifax)

Who can participate in this study?

Women who are 18 years of age and older, between six and 13 weeks pregnant and who reside in any of the participating locations around Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Ottawa, Kingston, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal or Halifax.

Where can I get more information about the study?

You can find out more about the MIREC study at: www.mirec-canada.ca