# The DUST Center: Hazardous Dust in Drylands - Exposure, Health Impacts, and Mitigation

> **NIH ES P42** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2026 · $3,052,392

## Abstract

for Overall Center
The University of Arizona Superfund Research Center addresses the unique human health risks encountered
in the U.S. Southwest, a region with a rich history of metal mining and generation of mine wastes. We (and
others) have demonstrated how mining communities in this region experience layers of exposure to hazardous
metals and metal(loid)s. These layers of exposure include drinking water, but uniquely in this environment,
substantial exposure occurs from inhalation and ingestion of metal(loid)-contaminated mine waste dusts
transported into homes and exterior environments including soils, gardens, and play areas. An added layer is
that these populations are simultaneously subjected to extensive, continuous inhalation exposure to fungal
spores. Little information exists on the risks associated with inhalation exposure to metal(loid)-contaminated
dusts, let alone risks from co-exposure to metals and fungal spores. Yet the outcomes of inflammation-related
lung injury following inhalation exposures are serious, ranging from asthma to fibrosis, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, and cancer. Our overall goal is to construct a mechanistic model of how chronic exposure
to mining-impacted dust that is co-contaminated with metal(loid)s and fungal spores contributes to the
development of nonmalignant lung diseases, then implement this model to predict exposures and associated
health outcomes, to inform public health prevention in communities neighboring mine waste sites and design
remediation-based interventions to exposure. To achieve this goal, we have four highly integrated research
projects and four cores that will work to measurably reduce non-malignant lung diseases in Superfund mining
communities and beyond. To this end, we will: 1) characterize how inhalation exposure to metal(loid)-
containing mine waste particulates lead to lung tissue injury, including compromised mucociliary clearance and
epithelial barrier function, tissue disrepair, and fibr

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11375917
- **Project number:** 5P42ES004940-37
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Xinxin  Ding
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ES
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $3,052,392
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-04-01T00:00:00 → 2030-01-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11375917

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11375917, The DUST Center: Hazardous Dust in Drylands - Exposure, Health Impacts, and Mitigation (5P42ES004940-37). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-05 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11375917. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*