Metal exposure and kidney health in diverse communities
Environmental Metal Toxicity and Kidney Tubule Measures in Diverse Populations
This project looks at whether metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and uranium in water are linked to early kidney damage in adults, especially older people and those in rural or low-income communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330183 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have your water and body samples tested for metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and uranium. Researchers will use new, sensitive tests for kidney tubule damage that do not require invasive procedures and will measure metals in both water and biospecimens. The project will enroll adults from diverse communities — including older adults, people who use well water, and residents of low-income or urban areas with known water problems — to see how exposure and early kidney changes match up. Study findings will be used to develop a kidney monitoring panel to detect metal-related injury earlier than current tests.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults, particularly older adults, who live in areas with possible metal-contaminated water (for example using private wells or living in communities with known water issues) and who can provide water and urine or blood samples.
Not a fit: People without any metal exposure or those with established end-stage kidney disease are less likely to benefit directly from the monitoring panel.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect kidney harm from metal exposure earlier so people can get prevention or treatment sooner.
How similar studies have performed: High-level metal exposures have been linked to kidney tubule damage in prior research, but using sensitive noninvasive tubule markers to detect harm at lower exposure levels is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- Northern California Institute/res/edu — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shlipak, Michael G — Northern California Institute/res/edu
- Study coordinator: Shlipak, Michael G
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.