Respiratory effects of metal and aldehyde exposure from e-cigarette use in young adults
Official title: Respiratory Effects, Metal and Aldehyde exposure from e-cigarette use in young adults (REMA)
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11415652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Young adults who use e-cigarettes may inhale metals and aldehydes that could affect their breathing and cause inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00ES034507-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young adults aged 18–24 who use or do not use e-cigarettes and who can provide biomarkers through non-invasive samples.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the 18–24 age range or those unable to participate in biomarker assessments may derive less or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This research will look at how chemicals from e-cigarette aerosols, including metals and aldehydes, affect lung health in adults aged 18–24. The study will recruit about 150 participants, 75 e-cigarette users and 75 non-users, to measure exposure biomarkers and markers of lung inflammation. The goal is to understand how device design and vaping habits influence chemical exposure and respiratory outcomes, using a cross-sectional approach. Results could help identify ways to reduce harmful exposure and protect lung health in young adults who vape.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform safer e-cigarette practices and policies to protect young adults’ airway health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked e-cigarette aerosols to inflammatory responses, but this study adds a targeted look at metals and aldehydes in young adults.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aherrera, Angela — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Aherrera, Angela
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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.