How 1,4‑Dioxane and other water contaminants may damage the liver
Project 1 - Toxicity and Liver Carcinogenicity of 1,4-Dioxane: Single Chemical and Mixtures Studies
Researchers are looking at whether the drinking-water pollutant 1,4‑dioxane, alone or mixed with other chemicals, can harm the liver and raise cancer risk for people exposed near contamination sites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126076 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses animal and laboratory experiments to see how 1,4‑dioxane harms the liver and whether it acts together with other common water contaminants. Scientists will test different exposure levels and chemical mixtures similar to what people might encounter near polluted sites. The work tracks molecular changes in the liver and identifies pathways that could explain how cancer starts. Results will help pinpoint exposure ranges and subgroups that may be more vulnerable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live near known 1,4‑dioxane contamination sites or who have measurable 1,4‑dioxane in their drinking water would be the most relevant group to follow or donate samples for related work.
Not a fit: People with no risk of 1,4‑dioxane exposure or whose liver disease has unrelated causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to clearer drinking-water safety limits and better protections for communities near contaminated sites.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and lab studies have shown liver toxicity and molecular changes from 1,4‑dioxane, but human-relevant exposure levels and combined effects with other contaminants remain incompletely understood.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Ying — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Ying
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.