Lung Deposition of Heavy Metals and Associated DNA Damage
This project is a collaboration between Dr Serdar and her colleagues Dr Kirsten Koehler (Johns Hopkins University) and Dr Miriam Dickinson (University of Colorado Denver) funded through the Centers for Disease Control, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Welding fume is classified as a possible human carcinogen and it contains high levels of hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) and nickel (Ni), both of which are known human carcinogens. In previous studies, welding fume exposure has been associated with lung function changes, bronchitis, pneumonia, neurological effects, and lung cancer. Thus, it is crucial to accurately and easily quantify personal exposure to heavy metals in an occupational group. Improved measures of personal exposure will provide a more relevant link between air levels of metals and biomarkers and health outcomes.
This project has two main goals:
- To improve estimates of airborne heavy metal exposures using a lightweight & cheap sampler and to evaluate the association between air levels and biomarkers.
- To explore the association between personal exposure to nickel and chromium and levels of oxidative DNA adducts in urine.