Detroit outreach to reduce harmful indoor chemical vapors
Community Engagement Core
This program works with Detroit neighborhoods to reduce household exposure to volatile chemical vapors and protect pregnant people and infants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11122317 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I live in Detroit and may be exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from old industrial sites, contaminated soil, or groundwater that can enter homes as vapors. The Community Engagement Core partners with residents, a Community Advisory Board, and local groups to identify likely sources of vapor intrusion, provide education, and connect households with testing and remediation resources. Staff will use community meetings, outreach materials, and two-way text messaging to share information and gather concerns, with special focus on reducing risks to pregnant people and infants. The core also works with policymakers and health agencies to inform actions that can make homes and neighborhoods safer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Detroit residents in older housing or near industrial or Superfund sites, especially pregnant people, parents of infants, and households concerned about vapor intrusion.
Not a fit: People who live outside the target Detroit area or whose homes are not at risk for vapor intrusion may not directly benefit from this local outreach program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lower household VOC exposure, reduce risks to pregnant people and infants, and give communities practical steps and support to make homes safer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous community-engagement and home-remediation efforts have helped raise awareness and reduce environmental exposures, though combining this approach with two-way text outreach focused on vapor intrusion is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thompson, Thomas Lyke — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Thompson, Thomas Lyke
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.