PFAS in water from wastewater reuse and health risk
Official title: Investigating the Prevalence and Health Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Mexico De Facto Water Reuse
Funded at New Mexico State University Las Cruces · NIH-11425289 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how common PFAS chemicals are in water affected by downstream reuse of treated wastewater and what this could mean for people’s health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New Mexico State University Las Cruces NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Cruces, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $177,460 |
| NIH project number | 1R16ES039203-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425289 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are residents served by drinking-water systems affected by de facto reuse and who are concerned about PFAS exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Residents not connected to DFR-affected water systems or without PFAS exposure would be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will measure PFAS levels in drinking-water sources impacted by de facto reuse, build models to predict how mixing rates influence contamination, and create a risk framework that links exposure to potential health outcomes. The team will combine occurrence predictions with health risk estimates and verify findings in laboratory tests to strengthen the connection between real-world water conditions and safety. The goal is to give communities clearer information on water quality and to help guide safer water-treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of PFAS exposure from reused water and inform downstream treatment practices to protect public health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show PFAS can persist in water and pose health risks, but research on DFR-affected drinking water and integrated risk frameworks is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
New Mexico State University Las Cruces
Las Cruces, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Runwei — New Mexico State University Las Cruces
- Study coordinator: Li, Runwei
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.