Chemical analysis lab for environmental pollutants
Core E: Research Support - Chemical Core
This project measures pollutants in soil and human tissues to help pregnant women and families near Superfund sites understand exposure risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11388628 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project runs a laboratory that tests environmental samples and human tissues (like placenta and breast milk) for organic pollutants and heavy metals. They specifically measure the 16 EPA-priority PAHs in placenta and soil and also quantify PCBs, arsenic, lead, and cadmium. The core provides precise, quality-controlled chemical data to research teams studying links between pollution and preterm birth and to projects developing cleanup and prevention strategies. Samples are analyzed with established analytical chemistry methods and shared with collaborating projects within the center.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people or families living near Superfund or contaminated sites who can provide consent for sample collection (for example placenta or breast milk) or allow environmental sampling of their homes or local soil.
Not a fit: People without exposure to contaminated sites or who cannot provide or consent to sample collection are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify contaminant exposures tied to preterm birth and help target cleanup or prevention efforts to protect pregnant people and infants.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory chemical analysis of PAHs, PCBs, and metals is an established approach and prior studies have reported links between some pollutants and adverse birth outcomes, but more targeted, local data are still needed.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Usenko, Sascha — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Usenko, Sascha
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.