Massachusetts Biomonitoring (“Mass Measures”)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a biomonitoring study using blood and urine samples to assess exposure to environmental chemicals (metals and PCBs) in underserved and high-risk communities across the Commonwealth. To help ensure effective study outreach and implementation, DPH sought support from a team with a deep understanding of biomonitoring protocols; experience engaging communities in culturally responsive and locally relevant ways; and proven systems in place to conduct all aspects of the study. DPH selected ERG to provide this support.

To guide outreach and recruitment strategies, ERG’s multi-disciplinary team established an advisory committee comprised of community-based organization representatives (“community champions”) who helped us understand unique characteristics of the communities of interest. In just two to three months, our team worked with community champions in communities of interest to hold 23 tabling events to spread the word, answer questions, and generate interest in participating. Following this outreach, the ERG team has been organizing, scheduling, and staffing in-person sampling events. This work includes scheduling appointments; securing interpreters where needed; obtaining consent and assent; administering exposure history questionnaires; and securely collecting, tracking, and delivering blood and urine specimens to the state public health laboratory. In parallel, the ERG team is coordinating elements of a home-based urine collection option for community members who cannot make or are not interested in the in-person events. Our team is also developing customized databases to manage the multiple study tracks; preparing procedural documents to ensure consistent and accurate data collection; and developing systems to  ensure clear and secure report back of individual results to participants.