Project TENDER

Irva Hertz-Picciotto

Irva Hertz-Picciotto, PhD, MPH, is an environmental epidemiologist committed to furthering our understanding of how both specific exposures and global climate or planetary changes harm health. Her work has tackled the effects of substances like metals, pesticides, air pollutants, organic compounds, and endocrine disruptors on cancer, pregnancy, perinatal outcomes, respiratory health, immune markers and neurodevelopment. Additional themes have included innovations in epidemiologic methods, and the interactions of environmental factors with nutrition, genetics, and social stressors.

Children's health and the environment

 

Why are children more vulnerable to their environment?

There are a variety of reasons children are especially vulnerable when it comes to toxins and other hazards they may encounter in their environment:

Our Mission

The UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center bridges the gap between science and health. Learn how its research is building healthier communities.

Project TENDR

Project TENDR is a unique collaboration of leading scientists, health professionals and children’s and environmental advocates.  The group, co founded by EHS Center Director, Irva Hertz-Picciotto and Maureen Swanson of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, formed in 2015 out of concern over the now substantial scientific evidence linking toxic environmental chemicals to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficits, hyperactivity, intellectual disability and learning disorders.