Investigating the health risks of air pollution from fine particulate matter.
Official title: PM2.5 Metals, Oxidative Potential, Exposure, and Risk Assessment (PM OPERA): A National Morbidity and Mortality Study
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11141315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny particles in the air, especially those that can harm your lungs and heart, affect people's health, particularly those who are more at risk, so we can better understand the dangers of breathing in polluted air.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $676,077 |
| NIH project number | 1R56ES035767-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in areas with high levels of air pollution, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds or underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who live in regions with low air pollution levels or who do not have respiratory or cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) affects health, particularly in vulnerable populations. It examines the composition of PM2.5, including its metal content and oxidative potential, to assess its impact on respiratory and cardiovascular health. By analyzing how different communities experience exposure to these pollutants, the study aims to identify the health risks associated with both acute and chronic exposure. The methodology includes measuring the oxidative potential of PM2.5 and its relationship to health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health strategies and interventions to reduce the health impacts of air pollution.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that measuring the oxidative potential of PM2.5 can provide valuable insights into its health effects, indicating that this approach has been successful in related studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Volckens, John — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Volckens, John
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.