Superfund Research Program

August 2025

Paper of the Month

A newly developed mathematical model accurately predicts levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in zebrafish embryos. According to NIEHS-funded researchers at the Oregon State University Superfund Research Program Center, the model will help scientists better understand toxic outcomes of PAHs to inform environmental health decision-making.

Zebrafish develop similarly to humans, so they are frequently used as model species in toxicology research. However, when scientists use zebrafish to study PAHs—formed when incompletely burning organic materials and widely dispersed in the environment—capturing actual tissue levels of PAHs can be difficult.

Accounting for variables like different stages of embryo growth and loss of PAHs due to imperfectly sealed growth plates, scientists built a model that accurately predicts PAH concentrations in zebrafish tissue across six developmental time points.

To learn more, see the NIEHS Environmental Factor Newsletter.