How air pollution affects heart and lung health in children
Official title: Air pollution disrupts Inflammasome Regulation in HEart And Lung Total Health (AIRHEALTH)
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11086429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how air pollution from cars and forest fires affects the heart and lungs of children, aiming to understand how it causes inflammation in their bodies and find ways to help protect their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,783,387 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL152953-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are exposed to air pollution and may suffer from related respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or who do not have any exposure to air pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of air pollution, particularly from automobile exhaust and forest fires, on heart and lung health in children. It focuses on understanding how exposure to pollutants triggers inflammation in the body, specifically through a protein called interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). By examining the mechanisms of this inflammatory response, the research aims to identify potential therapies that could mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on cardiopulmonary health. The study employs a systems biology approach to explore various pathways involved in this process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and public health policies that protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution on their heart and lung health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the inflammatory responses related to air pollution, making this study a continuation of established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nadeau, Kari C. — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Nadeau, Kari C.
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.