Detecting and cleaning pollution linked to preterm birth, infant lung disease, and developmental problems
Official title: POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS: ULTRASENSITIVE DETECTION,EARLY LIFE EXPOSURES-CLINICAL OUTCOMES (PRETERM BIRTHS, CHRONICLUNG DISEASE, AND NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS), PREVENTION ANDREMEDIATION
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11388571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project searches for tiny pollution chemicals called PAHs near Superfund sites, looks at how they affect pregnant people and newborns, and tries ways to clean contaminated soil to protect babies.
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 start | February 28, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,026,835 |
| NIH project number | 5P42ES027725-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388571 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people (and their newborns) living near Superfund or other contaminated sites—particularly in Houston/Harris County—are the most likely candidates to participate.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not pregnant, do not live near contaminated sites, or have no history of exposure to PAHs are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
We will use new ultra‑sensitive sensors plus machine learning to quickly find and measure PAHs in air, water, and soil near contaminated sites. Researchers will work with pregnant people and collect placentas and other samples to see if PAH exposure is linked to preterm birth and infant lung or cognitive problems. Lab studies in mice will explore how PAHs may damage newborn lungs through specific biological pathways (AHR and CYP enzymes), helping explain what happens in people. The team will also test a soil treatment (pyrolytic processing) to remove toxins and restore land so it is safer for communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce preterm births and newborn lung and developmental problems by finding pollution sources early and cleaning contaminated sites.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies have linked PAH exposure to higher rates of preterm birth and child lung problems, but combining ultra‑sensitive detection, machine learning, and active soil remediation is a newer approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moorthy, Bhagavatula — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Moorthy, Bhagavatula
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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.