Prenatal metal and air-pollutant exposure and children's brain development
Project 1: Prenatal Exposures to PAHs and Metals in an Impacted Community: Assessing Neurodevelopment Impacts and Tracing Metal Sources
Researchers are looking at whether pregnant people’s exposure to lead, cadmium, and PAHs affects their baby’s brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126687 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm pregnant in parts of Durham, this project will measure metals and PAHs in the environment and in biological samples from pregnant people. The team will link those exposure measurements to early childhood developmental testing to see if prenatal mixtures relate to brain and behavioral changes. They will also try to trace where the metals in soils and homes are coming from so communities can address sources. The work combines environmental sampling, blood or other biospecimens, and child neurodevelopment evaluations over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are pregnant people (especially in their first or third trimester) living in or near impacted areas of Durham, NC, who can provide exposure information and biological samples.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, who live far from contaminated areas, or who have no measurable prenatal exposure to metals or PAHs are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify harmful exposure mixtures and guide actions to reduce prenatal exposures and protect children’s development.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research clearly links lead with poor neurodevelopment, but studies examining combined prenatal exposure to metals plus PAHs are limited and less established.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stapleton, Heather M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Stapleton, Heather 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 below.