Research interests

I am interested in work factors that may potentially affect fertility, pregnancy and child developmenta and health. In the study hereof, I employ animal models as well as Danish health registers and cohorts. I am especially interested in: 

• nanoparticles and dust

• chemicals (such as endocrine disrupting chemicals)

• psychosocial stress 

• ergonomic factors

Exposure to nanoparticles during pregnancy

When pregnant women inhale polluted air, the content of particles presumably plays a role for development of the fetus. It is therefore natural to ask whether also exposure to engineered nanosized particles may pose a risk to pregnant women and their fetuses. Production of and exposure to products containing engineered nanoparticles are expected to increase in the future. We therefore investigate, in animal models, if prenatal exposure to nanoparticles affects fetal development. Endpoints include among others development and function of the central nervous, immune and male reproductive function as well as gene expression in the fetus.

Reproduction and parental work

Some trades involve exposure to chemicals that may potentially pose a risk for pregnancy and the developing fetus. We have established the Danish Occupational and Birth Register, by coupling of information regarding parental work and birth outcomes as well as child health. This register will allows for monitoring of adverse birth outcomes and child health relative to parental employment in different trades.  

Stress during pregnancy

Stress in pregnant women may influence the fetus during development, and change offspring behavior and physiology later in life. Many women are stressed at work, but at present knowledge does not suffice for specific recommendations regarding stress and pregnancy at work. At NRCWE, we use the National Danish Birth Cohort to investigate whether maternal stress and ergonomic strain at work influences pregnancy, child development and health later in life.