Could the tooth fairy hold some answers to local questions about air pollution?

 

A researcher from the University of Cincinnati says studying the lost teeth of area children could help scientists measure environmental impacts from plant emissions. In particular, Dr. Erin Haynes hopes to be able to tell something about exposure to manganese.

 

Haynes is trying to determine what local people might be willing to contribute to a health study – and lost baby teeth are just one possibility. Last year Haynes sampled the blood of some area residents and checked for manganese, iron, and chromium – all substances emitted by Eramet Marietta, according to the US EPA. In the second phase of her study, Haynes is trying to recruit 600 area residents to participate in a short online survey about air pollution.