Monitoring air pollution and health risks in East Palestine, OH
Official title: Responding to air pollution in disasters (RAPID) air sampling and symptom monitoring in East Palestine, OH
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11014429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the air quality in East Palestine, Ohio, to see how a recent chemical spill might affect people's health, especially focusing on harmful substances in the air, and it aims to share the findings with the community in an easy-to-understand way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | January 24, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $120,898 |
| NIH project number | 5R21ES036034-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include residents of East Palestine who may have been exposed to air pollution from the recent chemical spill.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who live outside of East Palestine or have not been exposed to the hazardous substances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on assessing health risks from exposure to hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in East Palestine, Ohio, following a chemical spill. Using mobile air sampling techniques, the project aims to gather real-time data on air quality and potential health impacts during the remediation process. The study will also employ innovative health assessment tools to communicate findings effectively to the community. By identifying varying levels of VOCs, particularly acrolein, the research seeks to fill critical data gaps regarding environmental health risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide vital information to help protect community health and inform safety measures during environmental disasters.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using mobile air sampling and health assessments in similar environmental disaster scenarios, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Natalie M — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Natalie 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.