Air Pollution and Kidney Health in Agricultural Workers
Particulate exposure and kidney health
This project looks at how exposure to air pollution and heat stress might affect kidney health in agricultural workers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11363676 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand why many people, especially agricultural workers, develop a type of kidney disease with no clear cause. Our team believes that breathing in polluted air, combined with heat and not drinking enough water, could harm the kidneys. We are working with sugarcane workers in Guatemala to measure their exposure to air particles like silica and metals, and also track their hydration and heat stress. By doing this, we hope to learn how these factors, alone or together, contribute to kidney problems and identify ways to protect workers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on agricultural workers, particularly those exposed to high levels of air contaminants and heat stress.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney disease is not related to environmental exposures or heat stress may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify agricultural workers at risk for kidney disease and lead to strategies for prevention.
How similar studies have performed: While the link between air pollution and kidney health is gaining attention, this specific combination of environmental factors and human population is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adgate, John L. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Adgate, John L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.