31 Jul 1997: Pfiesteria Research Grant
DATE: August 19, 1998
TO: Editors/News Directors
FROM: NIEHS Office of Communications, (919) 541-1402
The marine microorganism Pfiesteria piscicida, first discovered in 1991 in connection with a massive fish kill in several river estuaries in North Carolina, has recently been implicated in similar kills in several Eastern Shore tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Given the unknown nature of the pfiesteria toxin and its impact on those who live and work near these waterways, researchers are focusing increasing attention on the toxicology and human health effects associated with this microorganism.
To that end, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in conjunction with the University of Maryland, is pleased to announce the awarding of a five-year, 6.3 million dollar Pfiesteria research grant to the University's School of Medicine and Center of Marine Biotechnology, and to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Also participating in the research project will be NIEHS-funded scientists at the University of Miami Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center.
The grant was announced today at a news conference at the University of Maryland School of Medicine at Baltimore. The attached press release describes this comprehensive research project in greater detail.
As evidence of pfiesteria and pfiesteria-like microorganisms in estuarine areas of the Chesapeake has mounted, persons exposed to the affected waterways have reported problems with confusion, forgetfulness, headaches, and skin and respiratory irritation. A study conducted by the University of Maryland researchers - the first neurocognitive assessment of people with environmental exposure to pfiesteria recently published in a medical journal - indicates that those who are heavily exposed to the pfiesteria toxin can develop temporary difficulties in learning and concentrating.
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