PFAS chemicals may boost mosquito problems and disease risk
Official title: Determining the effect of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on mosquito fitness and arbovirus transmission potential
Funded at Kennesaw State University · NIH-11444964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how common water pollutants called PFAS affect mosquitoes and their ability to spread diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kennesaw State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kennesaw, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $517,956 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI194160-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are communities in PFAS-contaminated environments and researchers studying vector-borne diseases.
✕Less likely to help
People not exposed to PFAS or not concerned with mosquito-borne diseases may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The researchers will study real-world PFAS exposure in several mosquito species to see how it changes their survival and ability to transmit viruses. They use newly developed mosquito models to mimic conditions mosquitoes encounter as larvae and adults. The goal is to understand whether PFAS exposure could make mosquitoes more dangerous to people living in areas with PFAS pollution. The project is funded to advance knowledge that could inform public health and environmental cleanup decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If PFAS exposure alters mosquito transmission, this work could guide strategies to reduce disease risk in polluted areas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests environmental contaminants can affect insect biology, but direct links to arbovirus transmission are being explored here.
Where this research is happening
-
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haddow, Andrew — Kennesaw State University
- Study coordinator: Haddow, Andrew
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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.