UNC-Chapel Hill program to reduce arsenic exposure and protect community health
The UNC Chapel Hill Superfund Research Program (UNC-SRP)
This program works with North Carolina communities to find and lower dangerous arsenic in private well water and help reduce related health risks like diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261754 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, UNC will test private well water and measure arsenic levels in affected communities while collecting health and exposure information to see how arsenic links to diabetes. Researchers will combine lab studies with human health data to learn what causes increased diabetes risk after arsenic exposure. The team will work directly with community members, local groups, and businesses to pilot practical solutions such as water filters, well remediation, and public education. The program also aims to translate findings into local cleanup actions and policy changes to protect more people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are North Carolina residents who use private wells or live near industrial or Superfund/coal ash contaminated sites and are concerned about arsenic exposure.
Not a fit: People without arsenic exposure (for example, those on municipal water without contamination) or whose health issues are unrelated to arsenic are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce people's arsenic exposure, lower arsenic-related diabetes risk, and improve drinking-water safety in affected communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked arsenic exposure to metabolic problems and some local remediation efforts have reduced exposure, but mechanisms driving arsenic-related diabetes and targeted prevention approaches remain underdeveloped.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fry, Rebecca — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Fry, Rebecca
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.