About the study

Our commitment to the Canadian and the international community

This study is a part of the Federal Government’s Chemicals Management Plan, and underlines the Government’s commitment to protecting Canadians against risks to their personal health and the environment. It also supports the 2004 Stockholm Convention, an international agreement that aims to eliminate the use of many persistent organic pollutants and paves the way for other harmful chemicals to be regulated or banned. These actions will help reduce the levels of environmental chemicals in both the environment and humans.

To find out more about MIREC and Health Canada's role.

Objectives of this national study

There are 3 main objectives for this research study:

to measure the extent to which pregnant women and their infants are exposed to chemicals;
to measure some of the beneficial elements in human breast milk;
to assess what health risks, if any, are associated with the chemical levels measured, with a focus on heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

Approximately 2000 women from 10 sites across Canada will participate in MIREC.

We have a participating centre in each of the following cities:

Vancouver
Edmonton
Winnipeg
Sudbury
Hamilton
Toronto
Kingston
Ottawa
Montreal
Halifax

If you are living in one of the above cities, are less than 14 weeks pregnant, in general good health and interested in participating in MIREC study, please contact your local study site.

MIREC Canada

Our commitment to the Canadian and the international community

To find out more about MIREC and Health Canada's role.

To find out more about MIREC and Health Canada's role.

To find out more about MIREC and Health Canada's role.

Objectives of this national study

If you are living in one of the above cities, are less than 14 weeks pregnant, in general good health and interested in participating in MIREC study, please contact your local study site.

For general information, please contact the study Coordinating Centre