About

Professor Veronica M. Vieira is a Professor and Chair in Environmental and Occupational Health at the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, University of California, Irvine. She earned her Doctor of Science degree in Environmental Health from Boston University School of Public Health in 2003 and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. Her research focuses on spatial epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, environmental disparities, exposure modeling, and geographic information systems (GIS). Professor Vieira's work involves epidemiologic analyses of health data to examine the contributions of known risk factors and environmental exposures to disease risk patterns, with a particular emphasis on the importance of geographic location. She extensively uses geographic methods to model environmental exposures and identify communities with elevated health risks, with a current focus on the health effects of environmental exposures in children. She collaborates on studies investigating associations between perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and childhood cancers in communities with contaminated drinking water, as well as the health benefits of portable air cleaners in elementary schools located in areas with poor air quality. Over the past 15 years, as a researcher with the Boston University Superfund Research Program, she has investigated spatial and chemical/non-chemical patterns of cancer, reproductive outcomes, ADHD-related behaviors, and risky behaviors. Her research also applies spatial statistics to assess geographic barriers to adequate ovarian cancer treatment and the effects of air pollution on survival. Professor Vieira maintains international collaborations with researchers in France, Sweden, Portugal, Denmark, and Italy.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Environmental health
• Internal medicine
• Immunology
• Demography
• Biology
• Sociology
• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Virology
• Emergency medicine
• Oncology
• Physiology
• Economics
• Geography
• Economic growth

Selected publications

• Predictors of maternal residential mobility in a sibling-matched birth cohort in Massachusetts

  Environmental Epidemiology · 2026-01-07

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background: Residential mobility during pregnancy and between births is common and can introduce exposure misclassification. It may also reflect broader sociodemographic and environmental inequalities that influence maternal and child health. The objective of this study is to evaluate associations between maternal sociodemographic characteristics, PM 2.5 exposure, and residential mobility. Among mothers who moved, additional analyses evaluated predictors of relocation to lower-income census tracts. Methods: Data were obtained from 155,270 mothers with matched sibling birth records from the Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal data system (2001–2009). We define residential mobility as a change in geocoded birth addresses and identified relocation to a lower-income census tract among movers. PM 2.5 exposure estimates at each birth address were assigned using annual averages from a previously validated spatiotemporal model. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between residential mobility and maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, parity, and residential PM 2.5 exposure. Results: Among mothers with linked births, 49.3% moved between births, and 19.9% relocated to a census tract with a lower median income. Mothers that moved between births had significantly lower PM 2.5 at the subsequent birth address compared with mothers that did not move. Compared with mothers living at low PM 2.5 exposure levels (5th percentile, 1 µg/m 3 ), mothers living at high PM 2.5 exposure levels (95th percentile, 11 µg/m 3 ) had a nearly three-fold higher odds of moving. Relocation to a lower-income tract was less likely among older mothers, non-Hispanic mothers, and those with more than a high school education. Conclusion: Environmental and sociodemographic factors shape residential mobility patterns between births. It is important to account for residential mobility to reduce exposure misclassification and improve accuracy in perinatal epidemiology.

  PublisherDOI

• Elementary school classroom attendance rates in a randomized crossover trial with portable HEPA air cleaners

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2026-01-01

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Spatial variation of asthma rates in Los Angeles County by environmental and socioeconomic indicators

  Environmental Health · 2026-04-22

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Shedding Light on PFAS Dark Matter Using a Novel GC-HRMS Approach

  Environmental Science & Technology · 2025-11-17 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  With thousands of documented perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), novel methods are needed to comprehensively characterize these fluorinated compounds in the environment, biota, and humans. Despite being the most common approach, liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) only covers a fraction of PFASs. To address this gap, we developed a nontargeted gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) workflow to extend coverage of the PFAS chemical space, developing and incorporating the most extensive GC HRMS PFAS libraries to date covering over 1,900 electron ionization (EI) and positive chemical ionization (PCI) predicted and experimental spectra. Five environmental and biological matrices were assessed: aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), industrial outfall, municipal leachate, residential floor dust, and human blood. A novel compound was identified (2-(perfluorohexyl)ethanethiol) in multiple AFFF formulations. A rarely monitored PFAS was additionally detected (N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)perfluorooctanesulfonamide, N-MeFOSE) in human blood, industrial outfall, municipal leachate, and residential floor dust at high frequency and abundance. A comparison to LC-HRMS approaches for leachate and blood showed no overlap between annotated PFASs. The nontargeted workflow presented here provides essential tools to expand PFAS monitoring capabilities and identify previously undetected compounds that may pose significant health and environmental risks.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water and risk of childhood cancer in California, 2000–2015

  Environmental Epidemiology · 2025-01-09 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background: Few studies have investigated associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and childhood cancers. Detectable levels of PFAS in California water districts were reported in the Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for 2013–2015. Methods: Geocoded residences at birth were linked to corresponding water district boundaries for 10,220 California-born children (aged 0–15 years) diagnosed with cancers (2000–2015) and 29,974 healthy controls. A pharmacokinetic model was used to predict average steady-state maternal serum concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from contaminated drinking water. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) per doubling of background exposure were calculated for cancers with at least 90 cases. Results: Predicted PFOS and PFOA maternal serum concentrations ranged from background (5 ng/ml PFOS and 2 ng/ml PFOA) to 22.89 ng/ml and 6.66 ng/ml, respectively. There were suggestive associations between PFOS and nonastrocytoma gliomas (n = 268; AOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.60), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 500; AOR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.39), Wilms tumors (n = 556, AOR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.38), and noncentral system embryonal tumors (n = 2,880; AOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.17), and between PFOA and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 384; AOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.49). Among children of Mexico-born mothers, there was increased risk of Wilms tumor (n = 101; AOR PFOS = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.18; AOR PFOA = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.24) and noncentral system embryonal tumors (n = 557; AOR PFOS = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.50; AOR PFOA = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.45). Conclusion: Results suggest associations between predicted prenatal maternal PFAS serum concentrations and some childhood cancers. Future analyses are warranted.

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• Association between residence at birth and addiction service utilization: a spatial analysis of the Massachusetts birth record cohort

  Frontiers in Epidemiology · 2025-02-28

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Introduction: Substance use disorders impact a significant portion of the US population. Exposure to neighborhood environment early in life may contribute to disparities in policing, health outcomes and access to treatment for substance use disorders. Although many studies have examined the relationship between neighborhood context and substance use, few studies have accounted for the spatial distribution of substance use and social environment. The current study examined the association between birth address and substance addiction service utilization of individuals born in communities around the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site in southeast Massachusetts that face potential racial, socioeconomic, and environmental stressors. Methods: The analysis utilized birth record data between January 1992 and December 1998 (N = 12,151) from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics with follow-up for substance addiction service utilization through June 2022 by the Bureau of Substances Addiction Services within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MADPH). We used generalized additive models (GAM) with a smooth for location to estimate local odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of substance addiction service utilization while adjusting for sociodemographic risk factors to identify important contributors to geographic disparities. Results: < 0.001) of substance addiction services use and strong spatial confounders. Discussion: The current study showed that significant associations between birth addresses and substance addiction service utilization later in life are primarily driven by socioeconomic predictors including family education and prenatal care payer.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exposure to per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in residential settled dust and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  International Journal of Cancer · 2025-02-14 · 13 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous. Young children are commonly exposed to these chemicals via ingestion of settled dust. Several PFAS have been associated with cancers in adults, yet little is known about the risk in children. We investigated whether PFAS concentrations in residential dust were associated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Vacuum bags were collected in homes of 178 children diagnosed with ALL and 204 healthy controls (age 0–7 years) residing in California (2001–2007). Dust samples were sieved and analyzed for 19 PFAS using targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. The effects of individual PFAS and PFAS mixtures were estimated for eight PFAS with at least 50% above the limit of quantification (LOQ) using logistic regression, G‐computation, and generalized additive modeling (GAM). In the model mutually adjusting for eight PFAS, a statistically significant association was seen only for N ‐ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (EtFOSAA) (OR continuous = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.05–1.86 and , 95% CI = 1.16–5.71). Using G‐computation, the eight PFAS mixture was positively associated with childhood ALL (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.15–2.24), with positive weights for EtFOSAA, perfluoro‐ n ‐hexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoro‐1‐decanesulfonate (PFDS), and perfluoro‐1‐octanesulfonate (PFOS), and negative weights for perfluoro‐1‐hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and bis(1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorooctyl)phosphate (6:2 diPAP). Using GAM, the OR for the mixture reached a maximum of 2.24, at the highest value of log10 EtFOSAA and lowest value of log10 PFHxS. Exposure to a mixture of PFAS in settled dust was associated with an overall elevated risk of childhood ALL, with EtFOSAA and PFHxS being the main contributors to the positive and negative weights, respectively.

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• Multi-site study of communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water: Methods, demographics, and PFAS serum concentrations

  Environment International · 2025-06-12 · 13 citations

  articleOpen access

  A nationwide cross-sectional study led by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in collaboration with research and community partners, was designed to investigate health outcomes linked to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure among residents of communities with contaminated drinking water. The objective was to describe the study design, methods, participant demographics, and PFAS serum concentrations. From 2019 to 2023, adult (18+) and child (ages 4-17) participants were recruited from communities with past or ongoing PFAS contamination of drinking water across eight sites in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and residential, occupational, and medical history were collected via questionnaires. Extensive clinical tests assessed cardiometabolic, liver, thyroid, kidney, glycemic, and immune parameters. Neurobehavioral tests were administered to children (ages 5-17). PFAS quantified in serum included MeFOSAA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA. Serum, whole blood, and urine samples were banked for future analyses. The study enrolled 5826 adults (geometric mean age: 53.6 years; 60.2 % female; 77.2 % non-Hispanic White) and 710 children (geometric mean age: 10.7 years; 48.5 % female; 69 % non-Hispanic White). Compared with NHANES data (2017-2020), adults showed elevated geometric mean concentrations of PFHxS and PFOA; only PFHxS was elevated in children. These serum concentrations reflect a wide range of PFAS exposures in communities affected by contamination from firefighting activities and industrial emissions, and other sources. This large study is a valuable resource for exploring associations between PFAS exposure and health effects in adults and children.

  PublisherDOI

• Classroom air quality in a randomized crossover trial with portable HEPA air cleaners

  Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology · 2025-01-11 · 9 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Background Children living in communities with lower socioeconomic status and higher minority populations are often disproportionately exposed to particulate matter (PM) compared to children living in other communities. Objective We assessed whether adding HEPA filter air cleaners to classrooms with existing HVAC systems reduces indoor air pollution exposure. Methods From July 2022 to June 2023, using a block randomized crossover trial of 17 Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools, classroom PM concentrations were monitored and compared for 99 classrooms with HEPA filter air cleaners and 87 classrooms with non-HEPA filter air cleaners. Results In HEPA classrooms, average school-year PM 2.5 was 39.9% lower (0.581 µg/m³; p &lt; 0.001) and infiltration of outdoor PM 2.5 into classrooms was 13.8–82.4% lower than non-HEPA classrooms, depending on the school. Impact Few studies have examined HEPA filtration in a classroom environment, and this is one of the first studies since the COVID-19 pandemic to assess PM exposure in the classroom. Using a well powered block randomized crossover trial, we showed that adding portable HEPA air cleaners to classrooms that already had HVAC systems with MERV 13 air filters resulted in lower measurable PM concentrations and less infiltration of outdoor PM 2.5 compared to control classrooms with non-HEPA filters. This demonstrates that further improvements in classroom air quality, especially in environmentally burdened communities, can be achieved with additional filtration.

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• Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in adolescents and young adults: modifying roles of age, lifestyle factors, and PNPLA3 genotype

  Environmental Research · 2025-11-14 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Studies in youth on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are limited. The study aimed to evaluate associations between PFAS and MASLD risk and the modifying role of age, lifestyle factors, and genetic risk. We analyzed data from two independent cohorts: the Study of Latino Adolescents at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (SOLAR) following adolescents aged 8-13 years over 6 years (n = 162; recruited between 2001 and 2012); and the Metabolic and Asthma Incidence Research (Meta-AIR) study of young adults aged 17-23 years (n = 122; recruited between 2014 and 2018). Eight PFAS were measured in plasma using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. MASLD was defined as hepatic fat fraction >5.5 % on magnetic resonance imaging plus ≥1 cardiometabolic risk factor (high BMI, fasting glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein). Firth's penalized logistic regression models estimated associations between PFAS and MASLD. We evaluated the interaction between each PFAS and age, lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, sleep duration, and diet in adult cohort), and PNPLA3 genotype, a key liver fat-regulating gene. Among adolescents, each doubling in plasma PFOA was associated with higher odds of MASLD (OR = 2.69; 95 % CI: 1.16-6.26; p = 0.02), and the association strengthened with increasing age (PFOA × Age OR = 1.45; 95 % CI: 1.03-2.06; p = 0.04). Risk was further elevated among older adolescents and those with PNPLA3 risk allele. Among young adults, overall associations were not significant, but MASLD risk was higher among smokers with elevated PFDA, PFHpS, and PFNA levels (interaction p = 0.01, 0.02, 0.02, 0.03, respectively). Our findings support that PFAS may increase the risk of MASLD in youth, with age, genetics, and smoking modifying susceptibility.

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Recent grants

• NIH Grant R03CA119703

  NIH · $160k · 2007

• Spatiotemporal Analysis of Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Treatment and Survival

  NIH · $1.9M · 2016–2021

• NIH Grant R01ES019897

  NIH · $1.8M · 2017

Frequent coauthors

• Thomas F. Webster

  Boston University

  98 shared

• Ann Aschengrau

  Boston University

  74 shared

• Scott M. Bartell

  University of California, Irvine

  62 shared

• Janice Weinberg

  Boston University

  52 shared

• Lisa G. Gallagher

  47 shared

• David Ozonoff

  Boston University

  47 shared

• Robert E. Bristow

  University of California, Irvine Medical Center

  42 shared

• Michael Winter

  Boston University

  41 shared

Awards & honors

• 2017 – International Society for Environmental Epidemiology…