Superfund Research Program


November 2022

Elkin Headshot

During an NIEHS lecture Oct. 6, Elana Elkin, Ph.D., a former NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) trainee and recipient of the 2019 Karen Wetterhahn Award, described how a chemical called trichloroethylene (TCE) can interfere with fetal development in the womb.

“TCE is a widespread environmental pollutant detected in more than half of Superfund sites,” explained Elkin. “Pregnant women may be exposed to TCE by drinking contaminated water.”

“Through my research, I wanted to understand how exposure to TCE can harm the placenta on a molecular level,” Elkin said.

Read more in the NIEHS Environmental factor newsletter.