Inkyu Han

Associate Professor
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Office
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Biography

Dr. Inkyu Han is an established environmental health scientist specializing in exposure assessment and environmental epidemiology. With over 20 years experience, he has taught various environmental and occupational health courses, including Environmental Health, Exposure Science, Environmental Sampling and Analysis, and Industrial Hygiene. As an educator, Dr. Han is committed to ensuring students grasp critical environmental and occupational health challenges like climate change and health inequities. Furthermore, he encourages them to advocate for policies that advance health equity.

As the director of the Human Exposure Assessment Laboratory (HEAL), Dr. Han steers its focus towards understanding the lifetime effects of cumulative exposures on human health. Furthermore, the lab is proactive in developing culturally sensitive and tailored interventions to minimize cumulative exposures, especially among susceptible groups. Under Dr. Han's leadership, the lab oversees three pivotal exposure assessment studies funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences:

The ELSA Study: This research investigates how exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) affects the immunological responses of vulnerable Hispanic women working as domestic cleaners in San Antonio, Texas.

The MALDA Study: This study develops a human lung deposition model for ultrafine particulate matter (of nano size) present in urban atmospheres.

The CAMP Study: This study characterizes the exposure levels of ambient air microplastics and nanoplastics in Philadelphia. Its primary aim is to identify environmental factors that correlate with elevated concentrations of these microplastics and nanoplastics.

For more information of these projects, visit the Human Exposure Assessment Lab's website.

Education

  • PhD, Environmental and Occupational Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • MPH, Environmental Health, Seoul National University School of Public Health
  • BS, Environmental Sciences, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Curriculum Vitae 

Labs: Human Exposure Assessment Lab (HEAL)

Courses Taught

Number

Name

Level

ENVH 5004

Environmental Health

Graduate

Selected Publications

  • Han, I., Seo, J.Y., Barr, D.B., Panuwet, P., Yakimavets, V., D'Souza, P.E., An-Han, H., Afshar, M., & Chao, Y. (2022). Evaluating Indoor Air Phthalates and Volatile Organic Compounds in Nail Salons in the Greater New York City Area: A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(19). Switzerland. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912411

  • Symanski, E., Han, H.A.n., Han, I., McDaniel, M., Whitworth, K.W., McCurdy, S., Perkison, W.B., Rammah, A., Lewis, P.G.T., Delclos, G.L., Craft, E., Bondy, M., Walker, C.L., Hopkins, L., Laurent, J.G.C., & James, D. (2022). Responding to Natural and Industrial Disasters: Partnerships and Lessons Learned. Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 16(3), pp. 885-888. United States. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2020.467

  • Han, I., Whitworth, K.W., Christensen, B., Afshar, M., Han, H.A.n., Rammah, A., Oluwadairo, T., & Symanski, E. (2022). Heavy metal pollution of soils and risk assessment in Houston, Texas following Hurricane Harvey. Environ Pollut, 296, p. 118717. England. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118717

  • Oluwadairo, T., Whitehead, L., Symanski, E., Bauer, C., Carson, A., & Han, I. (2022). Effects of Road Traffic on the Accuracy and Bias of Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensor Measurements in Houston, Texas. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(3). Switzerland. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031086

  • Oluwadairo, T., Whitehead, L., Symanski, E., Bauer, C., Carson, A., & Han, I. (2022). Effects of aerosol particle size on the measurement of airborne PM2.5 with a low-cost particulate matter sensor (LCPMS) in a laboratory chamber. Environ Monit Assess, 194(2), p. 56. Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/s10661-021-09715-6

  • Oyer-Peterson, K., Porras, D.G.R.d.e., Han, I., Delclos, G.L., Brooks, E.G., Afshar, M., & Whitworth, K.W. (2022). A pilot study of total personal exposure to volatile organic compounds among Hispanic female domestic cleaners. J Occup Environ Hyg, 19(1), pp. 1-11. England. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2021.2000615

  • Han, I., Richner, D., Han, H.A.n., Hopkins, L., James, D., & Symanski, E. (2020). Evaluation of metal aerosols in four communities adjacent to metal recyclers in Houston, Texas, USA. J Air Waste Manag Assoc, 70(5), pp. 568-579. United States. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2020.1755385

  • Symanski, E., Han, H.A.n., Hopkins, L., Smith, M.A., McCurdy, S., Han, I., Jimenez, M., Markham, C., Richner, D., James, D., & Flores, J. (2020). Metal air pollution partnership solutions: building an academic-government-community-industry collaboration to improve air quality and health in environmental justice communities in Houston. Environ Health, 19(1), p. 39. England. doi: 10.1186/s12940-020-00590-1

  • Han, I., Whitworth, K.W., Zhang, X., Afshar, M., Berens, P.D., & Symanski, E. (2020). Characterization of urinary concentrations of heavy metals among socioeconomically disadvantaged black pregnant women. Environ Monit Assess, 192(3), p. 200. Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/s10661-020-8163-z

  • Han, H.A.n., Han, I., McCurdy, S., Whitworth, K., Delclos, G., Rammah, A., & Symanski, E. (2020). The Intercontinental Terminals Chemical Fire Study: A Rapid Response to an Industrial Disaster to Address Resident Concerns in Deer Park, Texas. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(3). Switzerland. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17030986

  • Rammah, A., Whitworth, K.W., Han, I., Chan, W., Hess, J.W., & Symanski, E. (2019). Temperature, placental abruption and stillbirth. Environ Int, 131, p. 105067. Netherlands. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105067

  • Rammah, A., Whitworth, K.W., Han, I., Chan, W., & Symanski, E. (2019). PM2.5 metal constituent exposure and stillbirth risk in Harris County, Texas. Environ Res, 176, p. 108516. Netherlands. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.047

  • Rammah, A., Whitworth, K.W., Han, I., Chan, W., & Symanski, E. (2019). Time-Varying Exposure to Ozone and Risk of Stillbirth in a Nonattainment Urban Region. Am J Epidemiol, 188(7), pp. 1288-1295. United States. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwz095

  • Rammah, A., Whitworth, K.W., Han, I., Chan, W., Jimenez, M.D., Strom, S.S., Bondy, M.L., & Symanski, E. (2019). A Mixed-Methods Study to Examine the Role of Psychosocial Stress and Air Pollution on Hypertension in Mexican-Origin Hispanics. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities, 6(1), pp. 12-21. Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/s40615-018-0490-1

  • Han, I., Samarneh, L., Stock, T.H., & Symanski, E. (2018). Impact of transient truck and train traffic on ambient air and noise levels in underserved communities. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT and ENVIRONMENT, 63, pp. 706-717. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2018.07.010