The Duke Center for Environmental Exposomics (DCEE) was established in January 2018 to serve as a focal point for environmental health research on Duke’s campus, and to provide analytical services for monitoring and measuring organic and inorganic (e.g. metal) chemical contaminants in environmental samples and human tissues. A primary goal of the DCEE is to support research on environmental exposures to elucidate the role of contaminant exposures in the etiology of chronic human diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc). Specific emphasis is placed on research related to contaminants present in drinking water and chemical mixtures found in the indoor environment, and uses cutting edge tools and technology to evaluate the totality of one’s exposure to chemical contaminants (i.e. the “Exposome”). Using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instrumentation, the DCEE also provides services for analyses of a wide array of sample matrices (e.g. dust, sediment, water, urine, silicone wristbands) to support both small and large scale environmental health and science research studies on a fee/sample basis.
The scientific leadership team of the DCEE includes Professors P. Lee Ferguson and Heather M. Stapleton, both of whom have substantial expertise in organic contaminant chemistry and exposure, and Professors Heileen Hsu-Kim and Avner Vengosh, with complimentary expertise in metals. Drs. Ferguson and Stapleton serve as co-directors of the DCEE.
Please read through this website for further information on the type of research being conducted by members of the DCEE, and for a description of the analytical services provided by our staff.