If you are new to Canada from South or East Asia, you are invited to participate in the SEED Study, which stands for the “Study of NEwcomer WomEn and Development Toxicants.”

Find out about the environmental chemical levels in your body and receive up to $50 for participating in the study.

Researchers from BC Centre for Disease Control’s Environmental Health Services are studying the connections between cultural practices of immigrant women and the potential health effects of products they use and eat. Potential sources of environmental contaminants can include imported ayurvedic treatments, traditional Chinese medicines, candies, and personal care items, among others.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the study, you must be a woman aged 19-45 years who:

– Arrived in Canada one to five years ago directly from China, India, Taiwan or Hong Kong
– Speaks English, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin, or Cantonese
– Currently lives in the Greater Vancouver area

Participation in the SEED Study involves completing a 1.5 hour in-person survey about your health, everyday household products you use, and things you eat. In addition to the survey, your participation also involves a urine and blood sample collection to test for levels of environmental chemicals in your body. Participants will also learn how to reduce their exposures and concentrations if levels are found to be high in your urine or blood sample.

Please feel free to forward throughout your networks to any women who may be eligible to participate.

Contact us

If you or someone you know is interested in participating, contact us at 604-707-2529 (in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi and/or Hindi) or at seed@bccdc.ca.

Visit us at www.bccdc.ca/SeedStudy for more information.

Background

Funding for the SEED study is provided (in part) by Health Canada, BCCDC, and the BC Ministry of Health. Human ethics protocols approved by UBC, Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Health Canada REBs.