Wood pellet plants and kids’ health in Mississippi
Official title: Wood Pellet Emissions and Children's Environmental Health in Mississippi
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11419131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Brown University will look at how living near wood pellet plants in Mississippi may affect children’s breathing, stress, and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $430,486 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES036565-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents living near current or planned wood pellet plants in Mississippi.
✕Less likely to help
Children far from any industrial activity may not experience the study’s exposure-related findings.
What this research studies
This project focuses on children and adolescents living near wood pellet plants in Mississippi to understand potential impacts on respiratory health and well-being. Researchers will combine environmental measurements of pollutants from wood pellet facilities with health data from local youths to see how exposure relates to asthma and stress indicators. The goal is to build a clearer picture of the real-world consequences of nearby wood-burning industry for families and communities. Participants may contribute air measurements, health surveys, and possibly biological samples as part of understanding exposure and effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform community protections and policy decisions to reduce exposure and protect children’s health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests links between industrial air pollutants and respiratory/psychological health in youth, but comprehensive place-based exposure data in this setting is limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Erica — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Walker, Erica
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.