The coalition of Texas institutions also includes researchers from UT Health Science Center at Houston's School of Public Health and from the Battelle Memorial Institute.

Since the undertaking is an observational research study rather than a clinical trial, participants will not be asked to change their day-to-day routines or take any medicines or drugs. Staff initially will collect data on pregnancies, such as the participant's diet, chemical exposure and emotional stress. Once the children are born, the researchers will begin collecting biological samples as well as samples of things like air, water and dust from locations where the child spends a lot of time.

Dr. Lister, pediatrician-in-chief at Children's Medical Center Dallas, said that although the study will span more than two decades, results will be made public as the research progresses.

"These results may prompt novel, important questions about children's health and the environment that can be answered later in the study," he said. "We're excited to be taking part in this historic study."

SOURCE UT Southwestern Medical Center