Arsenic dust from mine tailings — harm to airways and increased sensitivity to mold
Effects of arsenic and arsenic-containing mine tailings dust on airway epithelium and susceptibility to mold exposure
Researchers are looking at whether breathing arsenic-containing mine dust damages the airway lining and makes people near contaminated sites more likely to have mold-related lung problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11375919 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you live near contaminated mine tailings, this project studies how inhaling arsenic-laden dust affects the cells that line your airways and your ability to clear mucus. Scientists grow human airway cells in the lab and expose mice to real mine tailings dust to measure changes in protective proteins like mucins and CC16 and to watch cells lose cilia and secretory function. They are probing whether arsenic blocks retinoic acid signaling, causing the airway epithelium to de-differentiate and weakening the barrier against infections and allergens such as mold. The work combines cell-based experiments and animal exposures to map the steps from environmental exposure to impaired lung defense.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live near arsenic-contaminated mine sites or have known chronic inhalation exposure to mine tailings dust, especially those with recurrent mold-related respiratory symptoms, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without arsenic or mine-dust exposure, or whose lung problems are purely genetic or unrelated to environmental inhalants, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to biological targets (for example retinoic acid pathways or CC16) to prevent or treat airway damage in people exposed to arsenic and mold.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have shown arsenic can reduce mucins and CC16 and implicate retinoic acid signaling, but applying these findings to patient therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yin — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yin
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.