Reducing 1,4‑dioxane and other harmful chemicals in drinking water
Emerging Water Contaminants: Investigating and Mitigating Exposures and Health Risks
Researchers are developing ways to detect and remove harmful chemicals like 1,4‑dioxane from drinking water to protect people who live near contaminated sites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126075 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The Yale Superfund team focuses on 1,4‑dioxane, a contaminant found at many polluted sites and in some drinking water supplies because it may cause cancer. They use laboratory and animal studies, environmental sampling, and biomarker development to learn how 1,4‑dioxane affects the liver and how it interacts with other co‑occurring solvents. The program is also testing more practical and affordable water‑treatment and cleanup methods for contaminated aquifers and small water systems. Community engagement and work with regulators aim to translate findings into better local protections and drinking water standards.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people who live near Superfund or other sites with known or suspected 1,4‑dioxane contamination, or whose household water tests positive for these contaminants.
Not a fit: People with no history of exposure to contaminated drinking water or whose health concerns are unrelated to environmental chemical exposures are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce tests to detect exposure and more affordable cleanup methods to lower people's cancer risk from contaminated water.
How similar studies have performed: Previous environmental and lab studies have explored 1,4‑dioxane and some treatment approaches, but validated human exposure biomarkers and studies of combined effects with other solvents are still limited.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasiliou, Vasilis — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Vasiliou, Vasilis
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.