Impact of stopping open burning of munitions waste on community health
Official title: Changes in Exposures to PFAS, Metals, Dioxins, and Furans following Cessation of Open Burning of Munitions Wastes at a Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Facility
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11075902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how switching to a safer way of burning waste at a treatment facility affects the health of people living nearby, by checking for harmful substances in the air and in residents' bodies before and after the change.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $187,904 |
| NIH project number | 5R21ES036500-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075902 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include residents of Colfax, LA, particularly those who have experienced health issues related to air pollution from the waste treatment facility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living outside the vicinity of the hazardous waste facility or those not affected by air pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the health effects on communities living near a hazardous waste treatment facility that has been using open burning to dispose of munitions waste. It focuses on monitoring changes in exposure to harmful substances like PFAS, metals, and dioxins after the facility transitions to a safer closed-burn system. The study involves collecting air and biological samples from residents to assess the levels of pollutants and their potential health impacts. By analyzing these changes over time, the research aims to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the new waste management approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for residents by reducing exposure to toxic pollutants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that transitioning from open burning to closed systems can significantly reduce harmful emissions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richmond-Bryant, Jennifer — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Richmond-Bryant, Jennifer
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.