Investigating how exposure to burn pit smoke affects lung health
Official title: The pulmonary immune response induced by single and multiple exposures to combustion products of burn pit constituents
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10889489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how smoke from burn pits affects the lungs of military personnel, aiming to understand the immune response to this smoke so we can find better ways to protect their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $427,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES035981-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include military personnel who have been deployed to areas where burn pits were used and have experienced respiratory symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to burn pit emissions or do not have respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the immune response in the lungs of military personnel exposed to smoke from burn pits, which are used to dispose of waste in combat zones. The study involves controlled experiments where materials commonly found in burn pits, such as plastics and cardboard, are burned to analyze the resulting smoke and its effects on lung inflammation. By examining both single and repeated exposures to these combustion products, researchers aim to identify changes in immune responses that could inform better health outcomes for affected individuals. The findings may help in developing strategies to mitigate lung damage from such exposures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of lung conditions related to burn pit exposure in military personnel.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exposure to similar environmental pollutants can lead to significant health issues, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doerschuk, Claire M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Doerschuk, Claire 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.