How environmental factors affect the toxicity of microplastics and cadmium mixtures
Official title: Role of Environmental Weathering and Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Bioavailability and Toxicity of Microplastic and Cadmium Mixtures - A Platform for Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Training
Funded at Oklahoma State University Stillwater · NIH-10580388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how weather and digestion affect the safety of tiny plastic pieces and cadmium in our food and water, and it's designed for undergraduate students to help us learn more about the health risks these pollutants might pose to people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma State University Stillwater NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stillwater, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $444,493 |
| NIH project number | 1R15ES034901-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10580388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who consume seafood or water potentially contaminated with microplastics and heavy metals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume seafood or live in areas with low environmental contamination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how environmental weathering and gastrointestinal digestion influence the bioavailability and toxicity of microplastics and cadmium mixtures. It aims to understand the health risks associated with microplastics, which are increasingly found in our food and water. By involving undergraduate students in this interdisciplinary project, the research seeks to fill knowledge gaps regarding how these pollutants interact and affect human health. The study employs innovative tools and quantifiable methods to assess the impact of these contaminants on health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of the health risks posed by microplastics and cadmium, potentially informing public health guidelines and safety regulations.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding the health impacts of environmental pollutants, but the specific interactions of microplastics and cadmium are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma State University Stillwater
Stillwater, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gonzalez Estrella, Jorge — Oklahoma State University Stillwater
- Study coordinator: Gonzalez Estrella, Jorge
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.