Health effects of metal mixtures from abandoned uranium mines
Biomarkers and mechanisms of metal and mixed metal exposures
This work looks at how metal exposures from abandoned uranium mines affect inflammation and immune health in Native American adults living nearby.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124905 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are working with partnering Native American communities in the Southwest to measure metals in people’s bodies and nearby environments. They will test blood and other biosamples for signs of oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune changes that may link to metal mixtures. The team will combine community-based sampling, laboratory analyses, and local input to identify which metals or combinations are most harmful. They will also explore whether specific dietary strategies could reduce those harmful effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults (21+) from the partnering Native American tribal lands or nearby communities who may have environmental exposure to uranium and other metals.
Not a fit: People without measurable metal exposure, children under 21, or those living far from the affected tribal lands are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to specific metals driving health risks and practical diet-based steps to lower inflammation and disease risk in exposed communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biomonitoring has shown elevated metal levels in these communities and other studies link metals to oxidative stress and disease, but testing real-world metal mixtures and dietary mitigation is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hudson, Laurie G — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hudson, Laurie G
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.