Extending and maintaining the genx exposure study

This Cooperative Agreement awarded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) under the Environmental Health (CFDA 93.113) federal grant program provides $373,534 to North Carolina State University to extend and maintain the GenX Exposure Study. The overarching goal is to strengthen the study infrastructure and continue providing timely information to communities impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Cape Fear River basin. Key activities include enhancing community engagement, preparing Spanish-language materials, expanding the cohort, strengthening the coordinating center, and continuing cohort follow-up for 5 years. A sub-award to East Carolina University will help build the infrastructure and support ongoing sampling and analysis of the cohort. The award period runs from December 2024 through November 2029.

Abstract

The overarching goal of the genx cohort study is to answer community questions about the potential health effects of genx and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The genx cohort study represents a unique opportunity to understand the impacts of PFAS throughout the cape fear river basin (~ 9,000 square miles and 1 million residents). The central goal for this proposal is to provide a framework to strengthen and maintain the genx cohort study infrastructure so that we can continue to provide timely information to impacted communities. In 2020, we were funded to create a community-based cohort of residents from the lower cape fear river region (new hanover and brunswick counties), fayetteville, and pittsboro as part of the NC state superfund center. A total of 1,091 individuals ages 6 and older were recruited; they provided blood samples for analysis of PFAS and clinical outcomes (lipids, thyroid hormones, and metabolic panel). With this grant, we will enhance our community engagement to ensure long term participation in the study. We will prepare materials in spanish and maintain a spanish language website. In efforts to maintain interest in the study, we will expand our community engagement throughout the region with the assistance of community organizers and local ngos focusing on water and environmental protection. We will also build the infrastructure for the cohort by strengthening the coordinating center and data and specimen management activities. We will continue cohort follow up for another five years and work to build a more inclusive workforce in environmental health and epidemiology.