# Women's airborne exposure and kidney health in Guatemala

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2022 · $152,048

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
An epidemic of unexplained kidney disease in young agriculture workers appeared at least two decades ago in
Central America. The epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) causes premature
mortality and predominantly affects rural communities. CKDu is not caused by traditional risk factors such as
diabetes or hypertension. The hypothesis for the proposed study is that exposure to high concentrations of
airborne contaminants will be associated with kidney injury in females at-risk for CKDu in Guatemala.
Nearly all research to date has focused on males, neglecting preliminary data showing that females working in
agriculture and living in agricultural communities are also affected by CKDu. Additionally, studies to date have
largely overlooked consideration of air pollutants as contributors to CKDu etiology. In this proposal, we will
characterize
in
(Aim
months
repeat airborne exposure to particulate matter (PM) and metals over a 24-hour monitoring period
50 female sugarcane workers and in 50 female community members not involved in the sugarcane sector
1). The 24-hour monitoring period will occur at two time points for each participant approximately 3
apart. In addition,we will conduct a quantitative screen of 125 organic chemicals via a silicone
wristband worn by the participants over a 7-day period (Aim 2). We will evaluate the relationships between
individual exposures (PM, metals, and organic chemicals) and a kidney biomarker of effect (creatinine) (Aims 1
and 2). The overall goal of the study is to increase understanding of risk factors for CKDu in women in order to
facilitate targeted future research and prevention strategies. The proposed research is novel, addresses a
research knowledge gap in an understudied, vulnerable population, and will serve as an important
avenue for Dr. Butler-Dawson's career development.
Dr. Butler-Dawson's plan will address four career objectives through mentored research, formal courses,
structured tutorials, and practical experiences: (1) to increase my skill-set in environmental epidemiology; (2)
to develop skills in exposure science; (3) to gain experience in advanced biostatistical techniques for multi-
level modeling and interpretation; and (4) to effectively communicate scientific concepts and further
develop leadership skills. Her mentor, Dr. John Adgate, Professor and Chair in the Department of
Environmental and Occupational Health, as well as her committee members, Drs. Lee Newman (occupational
health and safety practitioner), Katherine James (environmental epidemiologist), Richard Johnson
(nephrologist), and James Crooks (biostatistician) will provide her with strong mentorship throughout this
project. The outlined K01 award will provide protected time and resources for a rigorous training and mentoring
period and subsequent transition to a successful independent researcher in environmental epidemiology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10404045
- **Project number:** 5K01ES032015-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jaime Butler-Dawson
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $152,048
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10404045

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10404045, Women's airborne exposure and kidney health in Guatemala (5K01ES032015-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10404045. Licensed CC0.

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