The Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment Lab (HEAL) is a newly developed unit within NYU Langone’s Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards. Our major goal is to provide researchers at NYU and NYU Langone with access to state-of-the-art specialized analytical facilities for exposure measurements for a broad range of targeted environmental chemicals in human and environmental specimens. Our facilities are designed to use mass spectrometry to analyze organic chemical contaminants including polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, poly- and perfluorinated compounds, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate insecticides, phenolic endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and phthalates.

In the Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment Lab, we are able to analyze blood and urine for exposure to toxic heavy metals including lead, cadmium, and mercury using the most sensitive inorganic mass spectrometry methods available. Our lab has the capability and experience to develop novel and improved methods for the analysis of emerging environmental chemicals in human and environmental matrices.

The Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment Lab provides key leadership delivering resources and expertise necessary to measure the biomarkers of exposure and health effects. Our experts provide guidance and training for investigators seeking analytical services from us. We have more than 13 liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry instruments. We offer a wide range of environmental chemical analysis in urine or blood similar to that of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lab Leadership

Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, is director of the Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment Lab.

Services for Center Investigators

The overall objective of our lab is to provide researchers with access to high-quality measurements based on state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and validated protocols.

We provide center investigators with accurate, precise, and high-quality biomonitoring measurements for organic and inorganic contaminants in human and environmental samples using advanced analytical instrumentation and methodologies. We also develop novel approaches, novel biomarkers, nontraditional matrices, and novel analytical methods including suspect screening for the analysis of exposure to emerging contaminants.

Additionally, we provide guidance and training in human and environmental exposure analysis for investigators seeking exposure assessment service.

Contact Us

Please contact Dr. Trasande at leonardo.trasande@nyulangone.org for additional information.