Human Exposure Laboratory (HEL)

Overview

The Human Exposure Laboratory (HEL) conducts research to better understand how air pollutants affect human health. Historically, HEL conducted controlled human exposure studies using an environmental chamber to investigate the effects of pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, smoke, and secondhand tobacco smoke.

Mission Statement

For over 25 years, HEL has explored disease mechanisms associated with environmental exposures- particularly oxidative stress and airway inflammation- that contribute to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. By integrating epidemiologic studies, physiologic assessments, and laboratory analyses of human biological specimens, HEL aims to translate scientific insights into improved diagnosis, prevention, and management of exposure-related respiratory conditions, ultimately benefiting both individuals and public health.

Current Research Focus

Currently, HEL focuses on comprehensive exposure assessment, epidemiological research, advanced cardiopulmonary physiologic experimentation, and translational research using human biological samples.

Staff

Current Projects

Human Inhalational Exposure Studies (HITS)Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Cardiovascular Disease

Lung Macrophage Populations and Functions in COPD and pre-COPD

Lung Volumes for Evaluation of Susceptible Smokers

Lung and Heart Function Across Decades of Life in Healthy and Diseased Populations

Circulating Tumor DNA for Risk Stratification in Lung Cancer Screening

Select Publications

Arjomandi M, Zeng S, Barjaktarevic I, Bleecker ER, Bowler RP, Criner GJ, Comellas AP, Couper DJ, Curtis JL, Dransfield MT, Drummond MB, Fortis S, Han MK, Hansel NN, Hoffman EA, Kaner RJ, Kanner RE, Krishnan JA, Labaki W, Ortega VE, Peters SP, Rennard SI, Cooper CB, Tashkin DP, Paine R 3rd, Woodruff PG. Phenotypes and Trajectories of Tobacco-exposed Persons with Preserved Spirometry: Insights from Lung Volumes. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2025 Apr;22(4):494-505. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202405-527OC. PMID: 39586032; PMCID: PMC12005044.

Mustra Rakic J, Zeng S, Rohdin-Bibby L, Van Blarigan EL, Liu X, Ma S, Kane JP, Redberg RF, Turino GM, Oestreicher Stock E, Arjomandi M. Elastin Degradation and Lung Function Deterioration with Remote Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Never-smokers. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2022 Jul 29;9(3):377-393. doi: 10.15326/jcopdf.2022.0289. PMID: 35700534; PMCID: PMC9448014.

Arjomandi M, Wong H, Tenney R, Holland N, Balmes JR. Effect of ozone on allergic airway inflammation. J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2022 Nov;1(4):273-281. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2022.05.007. Epub 2022 Jul 20. PMID: 36643820; PMCID: PMC9838882.

Arjomandi M, Balmes JR, Frampton MW, Bromberg PA, Stark P, Alexis N, Rich, DQ, Costantini MG, Hollenbeck-Pringle D, Dagincourt N, Hazucha MJ.  Respiratory Responses to Ozone Exposure: The Multicenter Ozone Study in oldEr Subjects (MOSES). Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 May 15;197(10):1319-1327. PMID: 29232153. PMCID: pending.