Environmental air pollutants linked to preeclampsia risk in pregnancy
Official title: Environmental PAH exposure and preeclampsia risk: Investigation of PE subtypes and the role of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11449018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at whether common air pollutants called PAHs increase the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $826,686 |
| NIH project number | 2R01ES031591-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals, particularly those in groups with higher environmental exposure to PAHs, may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with exposure unrelated to PAH or without access to prenatal care may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine pregnant people and measure PAH exposure from air and other sources to see if higher exposure relates to preeclampsia and related pregnancy complications. The project will also explore inflammation and oxidative stress as possible mechanisms linking PAH exposure to abnormal placentation and HDP. Data will come from human participants and may include biological samples such as blood plasma to assess markers of inflammation and vascular function. Findings could inform public health guidance to reduce exposure and improve maternal-fetal outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to clearer guidance on reducing PAH exposure to lower preeclampsia risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and human studies suggest environmental factors can influence placentation and cardiovascular stress, but human data on PAH and preeclampsia are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meeker, John D. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Meeker, John D.
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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.