How early exposure to lead and fossil-fuel pollutants affects children's brain development and cleanup options
Duke University Superfund Research Center - Developmental Co-Exposures: Mechanisms, Outcomes, and Remediation
This project looks at whether early-life exposure to lead and pollution from fossil fuels harms children's brain development and what cleanup or treatments might help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126686 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child grew up near a Superfund or brownfield site, this work examines how real-world mixes of metals like lead and chemical pollutants called PAHs might affect learning, behavior, and brain development. The team combines data from affected communities with lab and ecological models to see how these contaminants act together on the developing brain. Researchers will explore the biological mechanisms of harm and test remediation and treatment approaches that aim to reduce the highest risks without increasing others. The work focuses on communities of color that are often more exposed and aims to turn findings into clearer cleanup targets and practical interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents (and families) who live near Superfund or brownfield sites or have known early-life exposure to lead or PAHs would be the most relevant participants or beneficiaries.
Not a fit: People without exposure to metals or PAHs, adults with unrelated conditions, or those unable to access study sites are unlikely to gain direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to clearer cleanup goals and treatments that better protect children's brain development in contaminated communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies link lead or PAHs alone to neurodevelopmental harm, but applying a combined, real-world co-exposure and remediation approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stapleton, Heather M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Stapleton, Heather M
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.