Investigating the link between PFAS exposure and bone health in older adults
Official title: Serum PFAS and risk of fracture and bone loss
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11142526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals called PFAS might affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults, and it will follow a diverse group of people for up to 20 years to see how these chemicals impact their bones over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,041,025 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG088033-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11142526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above, who may be at risk for osteoporosis and fractures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 years old or those without any history of bone health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how exposure to PFAS, a group of environmental chemicals, may affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults. By analyzing existing data and samples from large osteoporosis studies, the research aims to determine the relationship between serum PFAS levels and bone loss over time. The study will focus on diverse populations to ensure comprehensive findings and will follow participants for up to 20 years to assess long-term effects. This approach will help clarify the potential risks associated with PFAS exposure in aging individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for osteoporosis and fractures in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between environmental toxins and bone health, but this specific investigation into PFAS is novel and aims to fill critical knowledge gaps.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reeves, Katherine Whitney — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Reeves, Katherine Whitney
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Urine cadmium and bone health in older adults
This project looks at whether long-term cadmium exposure, measured in urine, is linked to bone loss and fractures in older adults.
-
Mechanisms of bone loss after a fracture
A study at UC San Francisco will look at why bones elsewhere in the body lose mass after a fracture by analyzing blood to find biological clues.
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Systemic bone loss after fracture in humans
This project tests how a fracture in people affects bone loss across the body over time, especially comparing younger and older adults.
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Blood PFAS levels and bone loss in older adults
This project will look at whether common environmental chemicals called PFAS in blood are linked to bone thinning and higher fracture risk in older adults.
-
Cadmium exposure and bone health in older adults
This project looks at whether long-term cadmium exposure is linked to bone loss and fractures in older men and women.
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The link between urine cadmium levels and bone health in older adults
This study is looking at how cadmium in urine might affect bone health and increase the risk of fractures in older adults, and it will track participants over 20 years to see how their bones change over time.
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.