Nationwide study on how air-borne radioactivity from particulate matter affects heart disease
Official title: A nationwide population-based study investigating the cardiovascular effects of exposure to particulate matter α-, β-, and γ-activities and individual radionuclides
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11593237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide study will look at how tiny radioactive particles in the air may influence heart disease and hospitalizations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $329,402 |
| NIH project number | 7R01ES035390-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11593237 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults and individuals with cardiovascular risk factors who live in areas with higher air-pollution exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with no exposure to ambient particulate matter or without cardiovascular risk factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses national health and air-monitoring data to understand whether radioactive components attached to particulate matter contribute to heart attacks, strokes, and related health issues. Researchers will analyze short- and long-term exposure to beta, alpha, and gamma radiation from ambient particles and see how these exposures relate to cardiovascular events and blood pressure. The study leverages large public datasets to explore whether radiation in air pollution worsens heart disease risk among Medicare enrollees and the general population. Insights could help identify more harmful air-pollution characteristics and possibilities for reducing cardiovascular harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform air-quality standards and preventive strategies to protect heart health.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has linked particulate matter to cardiovascular risk, but this study uniquely integrates radionuclide components and national-scale data.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zanobetti, Antonella — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zanobetti, Antonella
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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.