Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Children’s Environmental Health

The Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) in Bangkok, Thailand aims to provide scientific evidence supporting the idea that gestation is a period of high sensitivity to environmental chemicals, and that exposures during early development may lead to an increased risk of disease later in life. Scientists at CRI study how exposure to environmental pollutants, such as traffic-related air pollutants, electronic waste (e-waste), and arsenic, can affect children’s health. The knowledge gained from these studies will inform national policies to protect children’s health and reduce environmental health risks.

As a hub in a global network of researchers committed to advancing children’s environmental health, the CRI Centre is:

  • Promoting and assisting capacity building and awareness raising activities in environmental and occupational health, toxicology, and risk assessment.
  • Promoting and conducting collaborative environmental health research, particularly as it relates to emerging national and international problems and in vulnerable groups, such as children.
  • Establishing and maintaining linkages with relevant research institutions, particularly in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.
  • Acting as a regional Centre for training in chemical safety.
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Centre Contact
Not Pictured
Mathuros Ruchirawat, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs;
Chulabhorn Research Institute
[email protected]
Mail Address Chulabhorn Research Institute
54 KamphaengPhet 6 Road, Lak Si
Bangkok 10210, Thailand
Website Link https://www.cri.or.th/en/index.php
Collaborators National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vietnam
Columbia University, USA
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA
Chemicals/Exposures Studied Arsenic in water, air pollution, e-waste
Health or Social Effects Studied DNA damage and DNA methylation alteration
Population(s) Studied Children living in Thailand and Vietnam

Publications

2013

  • Hinhumpatch P, Navasumrit P, Chaisatra K, Promvijit J, Mahidol C, Ruchirawat M. 2013. Oxidative DNA damage and repair in children exposed to low levels of arsenic in utero and during early childhood: application of salivary and urinary biomarkers. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 273(3):569-579; doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.10.002.

2012

  • Intarasunanont P, Navasumrit P, Waraprasit S, Chaisatra K, Suk WA, Mahidol C, Ruchirawat M. 2012. Effects of arsenic exposure on DNA methylation in cord blood samples from newborn babies and in human lymphoblast cell line. Environ Health 11:31; doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-11-31.

2007

  • Fry RC, Navasumrit P, Valiathan C, Svensson JP, Hogan BJ, Luo M, Bhattacharya S, Kandjanapa K, Soontararuks S, Nookabkaew S, Mahidol C, Ruchirawat M, Samson LD. 2007. Activation of inflammation/NF-kappaB signaling in infants born to arsenic-exposed mothers. PLoS Genet 3(11): e207; doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0030207.