The NESTED Study

Housing conditions can have a profound impact on children’s health and well-being. For example, exposure to lead can affect learning, social development, and employment opportunities in adulthood. Allergens from dust mites, pets, mold, and cockroaches can worsen asthma symptoms, while secondhand smoke and dampness can also contribute to childhood asthma and increase the risk of heart disease and cancer later in life. Early-life exposure to pesticides and flame retardant chemicals may also affect brain development.

The NESTED (Navigating Environmental Safety and Toxics in Every Dwelling) Study aims to help families identify and reduce common environmental hazards in the home through a smartphone app that provides practical, easy-to-use information and tips for creating a healthier home. Developed by Silent Spring scientists, the app is designed for use by both home visiting programs and for residents themselves.

To evaluate the app, researchers are partnering with existing home-visiting programs that support families with young children. With guidance from their home visitor, residents will explore the app’s recommendations for reducing exposures to household hazards and receive a healthy home kit containing low-cost cleaning supplies and a vacuum. The study team will then interview residents and home visitors to learn about their experiences and gather feedback to improve the app.

After the study is complete, the research team plans to make the healthy home app publicly available so that more families and home-visiting programs can benefit from it.

For more information about the study, please contact us at nested@silentspring.org.