Monitoring environmental health impacts of animal waste energy projects
Official title: Community-engaged environmental monitoring for biowaste treatment transitions
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10795523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how new projects that turn animal waste into energy might affect the environment and people's health in Sampson and Duplin Counties, North Carolina, and it involves working with local communities to understand their concerns and gather important information before these projects start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $417,878 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES035913-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are residents of Sampson and Duplin Counties, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities who are affected by concentrated animal feeding operations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living outside of the targeted communities or those not impacted by animal waste management practices may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on assessing the environmental and public health impacts of new renewable energy initiatives that convert animal waste into energy in North Carolina's Sampson and Duplin Counties. The project involves community engagement to gather baseline data on air and water quality, as well as health status, before these initiatives are fully implemented. By partnering with local community action groups, the research aims to ensure that the voices and concerns of affected residents are included in the monitoring process. The methodology includes longitudinal environmental health monitoring to track changes over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical data to help protect community health and inform future environmental policies regarding animal waste management.
How similar studies have gone: Similar community-engaged environmental monitoring initiatives have shown success in other regions, indicating the potential for impactful findings in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cho, Seung-Hyun — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Cho, Seung-Hyun
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.