BEACON Health Research Study

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Welcome 

We are a research team from the Envirome Institute and Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Louisville and we are working to better understand air pollution in the Calvert City area and how environmental conditions may relate to community health patterns. 

Our goal is to share information in a way that is clear and to keep the community informed throughout the study. 

Next community meeting: Thursday March 19, 2026 at 6:00pm (CT)  
Location: Grand Rivers Community Center, 155 W Cumberland Ave, Grand Rivers, KY 42045 
All are welcome. No RSVP required. 

What this study is (and why it’s happening) 

This study is designed to: measure and better understand a specific type of air pollution, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in the area through air monitoring, wastewater monitoring, and a human health study and determine how pollution may impact health risk for the community.  

Study Timeline 

Fall 2025: Set up monitoring approach and logistics 
January – February 2026: air and wastewater monitoring, historical air pollution assessment  

March – August 2026: Kick-Off community meeting, monthly health study visits, animal study visits, community update meeting, air and wastewater monitoring continues  

September – December 2026: Begin sample analysis, community update meeting. 
January – April 2027: Finish sample collection and begin analysis and develop reports, community update meeting  
May – August 2027: Share findings, publish reports, and host final community update meeting  

 

What we are doing 

As part of this study, we plan to: 

  • Analyze air monitoring data collected by the Kentucky Department of Air Quality
  • Review historical air pollution release datasets from the EPA
  • Analyze wastewater for evidence of exposure to air pollution
  • Conduct a health study that will recruit 25-30 volunteers to complete surveys, voluntary biospecimen collection (blood and urine)
  • Review historical health records from the Kentucky Cancer Registry
  • Conduct animal studies; live capture of wildlife and historic chart reviews.   

We will post updates here as key milestones occur. 

 

What we are NOT doing 

To avoid confusion, it may help to know what this study is not: 

  • We are not providing medical diagnoses or individual medical advice
  • We are not an enforcement agency and do not issue penalties or permits
  • We are not working for any company with an interest in the results
  • We are not inspecting individual homes or properties
  • We will not share individual participation information with employers, landlords, or other parties 

How to stay informed 

Through this website, we will share: 

  • Meeting announcements
  • Study updates
  • Plain-language summaries of what we’re learning
  • Public materials (slides, FAQs, and Q&A summaries) 

Questions or concerns?

You can reach the study team here:

Email: envirome@louisville.edu

Please include the best way to reach you in the email.

Phone/voicemail: 502-852-5873

If you leave a voicemail, please include your name and the best way to reach you. We will return calls as soon as we can.

Inquiry Form

This will take you to an online inquiry form. 

  • Study FAQ (PDF): [LINK]
  • Meeting slides: [LINK]
  • Meeting summary + Q&A: [LINK]
  • Project timeline: [LINK] 

Environmental conditions change over time. This study is designed to collect information during summer and fall of 2025 and 2026. In 2027, we will and interpret results carefully. We will first share results with participants of the health study, then more widely after that. We will explain what the data can and cannot tell us, and we will share limitations clearly. 

This study is supported by the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) (GRANT # ES038074)  

Partners and collaborators include the Center for Integrative Health Sciences at the University of Louisville and Murray State University.