Page Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Household Chemical Exposures🔗

Table Name	`sed_cg_hce`
Construct	Household Chemical Exposures
Study Visits	V05
Administration	Child-specific: Yes Respondent: Birth Parent or Primary Caregiver Method: Self-administered (in-person or remote) (5 min estimated duration)
Quality Control	Response proportions and unusual missing patterns were reviewed.

Participants report information for the child’s primary residence. If a child spends at least 2-days per week in multiple homes, reporters are asked to provide information for the home they are most familiar with. As a result, exposures to secondhand smoke or chemicals in those additional environments is not captured, which may result in incomplete exposure data.

Instrument Details🔗

This is a modified version of ECHO-wide cohort version 01.30/June 16, 2020 “Household Chemical Exposures-Current”. Home-based exposures to chemical contaminants can occur through exposure to drinking water contaminants, off-gassing of various structural components to housing, accumulation of chemical contaminants in household dust, insecticides related to pest control, exposure to air toxicants related to heating and cooking, as well as allergens and insecticides related to pets that may be living in the home. Older homes have the potential for lead exposure due to lead-based paint. In addition, water damage to homes can result in exposure to mold. These exposures can have broad impacts on health including neurodevelopmental outcomes (Zota et al. 2017).

Prompts for instruction items were modified to address language more consistent with other sections ans assessment item changes were made as follows:

Item	Original Text	Updated Text
1 Prompt	The following questions ask about exposure to secondhand smoke and the child’s current home(s) or dwelling(s).	The following questions are about your child’s primary residence (the place outside of daycare where they spend the most time).
1, 2	Current Address & length of residence	Removed, contained in other HBCD data resource
5	Is there an enclosed garage attached to this home or dwelling?	Removed
7, 7a	Does the child drink the tap water?	Removed
New Item	NA	Which fuels are used for heating this (house/apartment)? Check all that apply 1 [ ] Gas: from underground pipes serving the neighborhood 2 [ ] Gas: bottled, tank, or LP 3 [ ] Electricity 4 [ ] Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. 5 [ ] Coal or coke 6 [ ] Wood 7 [ ] Solar energy 8 [ ] Other fuel (Specify: ____________________) 9 [ ] No fuel used 99 [ ] DON’T KNOW
13, 13a	Is there a fume hood/fan over the cook stove or downdraft vent?	Removed
14	Does this home or dwelling have any mold or mildew on walls or other surfaces other than in the shower or bathtub?	During the past 12 months, has there been water or dampness in your home from broken pipes, leaks, heavy rain, or floods? 1 [ ] YES 2 [ ] NO 8 [ ] DON’T KNOW 10. Does your home frequently have a mildew odor or musty smell? 1 [ ] YES 2 [ ] NO 8 [ ] DON’T KNOW
18a-d	How many days a week are the windows open for at least 2 hours a day?	Removed
New item		Is there any paint peeling or flaking outside the home?
New item		Is there any paint peeling or flaking inside the home?
New item		Have there been repairs or renovations in this home during the past 12 months? In which of the following rooms have there been renovations or repairs during the past 12 months (select all that apply)
Section B 12-28		Removed

References🔗

Zota, A. R., Singla, V., Adamkiewicz, G., Mitro, S. D., & Dodson, R. E. (2017). Reducing chemical exposures at home: opportunities for action. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 71(9), 937–940. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2016-208676