Lab that measures environmental pollutants and exposure markers
Analytical Chemistry Core (ACC)
This program runs a lab that measures pollutants like PAHs and metals and checks body markers to help studies about early-life exposures and children's brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126723 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This lab analyzes environmental and biological samples (for example, water, dust, blood, or urine) to measure pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals and to measure neurotransmitter-related biomarkers. They use advanced high-resolution mass spectrometry and both targeted tests and non-targeted searches to find known chemicals and unexpected transformation products or metabolites. The core has developed protocols and processed thousands of samples to support multiple research projects within Duke's Superfund Center focused on early-life co-exposures. Going forward, the lab will continue targeted testing for PAHs, metals, and neurotransmitter markers while expanding non-targeted analysis of PAH transformation products.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to this work include pregnant people, infants, children, and families living near contaminated sites or with likely exposure to PAHs and metals who are participating in Duke-affiliated exposure studies.
Not a fit: Individuals without exposure to PAHs or metals or with health issues unrelated to environmental neurodevelopmental risks are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab's analyses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve detection of harmful chemical exposures and biomarkers linked to impaired neurodevelopment, helping guide prevention and future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Mass-spectrometry methods for measuring pollutants and exposure biomarkers are well established, while non-targeted discovery of PAH transformation products is newer and more exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferguson, P. Lee — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ferguson, P. Lee
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 below.