Protecting health from microplastics in Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario Center for Microplastics and Human Health
This project studies how tiny pieces of plastic in Lake Ontario move through water and food and works with local communities to lower health risks for people who use the lake.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370626 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This center brings together scientists, public-health experts, and community partners to track microplastics across Lake Ontario habitats and through the food web. Teams will collect and analyze water, sediment, wildlife, and tap-water samples to identify the types and mixtures of plastics and any attached chemicals people might encounter. Researchers will map how seasonal and local changes like storms, temperature, and runoff change plastics' movement and potential for human exposure. The program also shares results with local communities to improve environmental health literacy and develop practical ways to reduce exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who live, work, fish, or get drinking water from the Lake Ontario region and who are willing to provide local water, food, or health-related samples or information.
Not a fit: People who do not live near the Great Lakes or whose plastic exposures come mainly from other sources may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could produce clearer guidance and local actions that reduce people's exposure to microplastics and the chemicals they carry.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have found microplastics in water, food, and tap water, but links to human health remain limited, so this coordinated regional approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Korfmacher, Katrina S — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Korfmacher, Katrina S
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.