Krystal Pollitt, PhD, P.Eng.
Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Environmental Health)DownloadHi-Res Photo
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Additional Titles
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Contact Info
Environmental Health Sciences
60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06510
United States
About
Titles
Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Environmental Health)
Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Biography
Dr. Pollitt’s research explores the human exposome through characterisation of environmental and biological samples using analytical and mass spectrometry (MS) techniques. Her group has developed various mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, LC-MS and GC-MS) to measure exposure to complex mixtures of trace elements and organic compounds. She has applied these exposure assessment methods in numerous in epidemiological studies.
Visit our lab website: pollittlab.weebly.com
Appointments
Environmental Health Sciences
Associate Professor on TermPrimaryChemical and Environmental Engineering
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Canadian Thoracic Society Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
- University of Toronto (2014)
- PhD
- King's College London, Environmental Toxicology (2012)
- MSc
- University of Toronto, Chemical Engineering (2008)
- BSc
- University of Toronto, Chemical Engineering (2005)
Research
Overview
Dr. Pollitt’s group has developed a wristband air sampler for high-throughput profiling of personal exposures to a broad array of airborne organic contaminants. This wearable exposomic monitor has been deployed in several international epidemiological studies to evaluate personal pollutant exposure in children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Medical Research Interests
Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Exposome; Mass Spectrometry
Public Health Interests
Infectious Diseases; Global Health; Environmental Health; Chronic Diseases; Community Engagement; COVID-19
ORCID
0000-0001-7332-2228- View Lab Website
Pollitt Lab
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Krystal Pollitt's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Krystal Pollitt's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Krystal Pollitt is interested in exploring.
Jeremy P. Koelmel
Nicole Deziel, PhD, MHS
Caroline Helen Johnson, PhD
Pengfei Guo, MBBS, PhD
Jodi Sherman, MD
Richard A Martinello, MD
128Publications
3,261Citations
Environmental Exposure
Air Pollution
Exposome
Mass Spectrometry
Publications
2025
Exposure to per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in residential settled dust and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Metayer C, Morimoto L, Vieira V, Pollitt K, Bartell S, Wong L, Young T. Exposure to per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in residential settled dust and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. International Journal Of Cancer 2025 PMID: 39950710, DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35370.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsGeneralized additive modelPolyfluoroalkyl substancesPerfluoro-1-octanesulfonateAssociated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemiaPFAS mixtureChildhood ALLPerfluoro-n-hexanoic acidPolyfluoroalkyl substances concentrationsChildhood acute lymphoblastic leukemiaIndividual PFASLimit of quantificationAcute lymphoblastic leukemiaExposure to per-G-computationNegative weightsRisk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemiaResidential dustFilling the Gaps in PFAS Detection: Integrating GC-MS Non-Targeted Analysis for Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring and Exposure Assessment
Newton S, Bowden J, Charest N, Jackson S, Koelmel J, Liberatore H, Lin A, Lowe C, Nieto S, Pollitt K, Robuck A, Rostkowski P, Townsend T, Wallace M, Williams A. Filling the Gaps in PFAS Detection: Integrating GC-MS Non-Targeted Analysis for Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring and Exposure Assessment. Environmental Science & Technology Letters 2025, 12: 104-112. DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00930.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsNon-target analysisLC-ESI-MSLC-MSNovel PFASsChromatography-mass spectrometryNTA studiesGC-MSTransformation productsPFAS structuresPFAS chemistryLiquid chromatography-mass spectrometryPolyfluoroalkyl substancesGC-MS methodPFAS researchGas chromatography-mass spectrometryLC-MS analysisChemical spaceParent compoundAqueous filmSpectrometryPFAS detectionsChemicalSources of PFASsCompoundsChemistry
2024
Expanding PFAS Identification with Transformation Product Libraries: Nontargeted Analysis Reveals Biotransformation Products in Mice
Liu S, Dukes D, Koelmel J, Stelben P, Finch J, Okeme J, Lowe C, Williams A, Godri D, Rennie E, Parry E, McDonough C, Pollitt K. Expanding PFAS Identification with Transformation Product Libraries: Nontargeted Analysis Reveals Biotransformation Products in Mice. Environmental Science And Technology 2024, 59: 119-131. PMID: 39704186, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07750.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMass spectral libraryTransformation productsLiquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometryProduct libraryPolyfluoroalkyl substancesBiological transformation productsSpectral libraryFragmentation rulesBehavior of PFASPotential transformation productsMass spectrometryToxicity predictionChemical subclassesReaction productsLiver S9 fractionBiotransformation productsEnzymatic reactionsMutagenic toxicityReactionMouse liver S9 fractionBiological systemsS9 fractionDealkylationChemicalSpectrometryA deployable film method to enable replicable sampling of low-abundance environmental microbiomes
Mankiewicz Ledins P, Lin E, Bhattacharya C, Pollitt K, Dyson A, Hénaff E. A deployable film method to enable replicable sampling of low-abundance environmental microbiomes. Scientific Reports 2024, 14: 23857. PMID: 39394219, PMCID: PMC11470061, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-72341-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHuman healthPotential human health impactsHuman health impactsNegative long-term impactEnvironmental microbiomesTime indoorsEnvironmental nucleic acidsExposure studiesSequencing-based analysisChronic exposureHealth impactsHigher DNA yieldLong-term impactLow abundanceMicrobiome abundanceIndoor microbiome exposureSamplerMicrobiome samplesAbundanceIndoor microbiomeDNA yieldExtraction kitMicrobiomeSampling strategyGlobal populationBetween and within-city variations of PM2.5 oxidative potential in five cities in Colombia
Rojas N, Agudelo-Castañeda D, Bustos D, Godri Pollitt K, Gao D, Rodriguez-Villamizar L. Between and within-city variations of PM2.5 oxidative potential in five cities in Colombia. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 2024, 18: 127-140. DOI: 10.1007/s11869-024-01632-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsPM2.5 mass concentrationsUltrasonic Personal Aerosol SamplerMass concentrationFine particulate matterAmbient PM2.5 samplesHealth exposure metricWithin-city variationAdverse health effectsPM2.5 OPPM2.5 samplesOP metricsBackground siteParticulate matterPM2.5Residential sitesIndustrial sitesOxidation potentialSite typesPersonal aerosol samplersExposure metricsHealth effectsAerosol samplerM-3ConcentrationSitesExposome-Wide Ranking to Uncover Environmental Chemicals Associated with Dyslipidemia: A Panel Study in Healthy Older Chinese Adults from the BAPE Study.
Ding E, Deng F, Fang J, Liu J, Yan W, Yao Q, Miao K, Wang Y, Sun P, Li C, Liu Y, Dong H, Dong L, Zhang X, Lu Y, Lin X, Ding C, Li T, Shi Y, Cai Y, Liu X, Godri Pollitt K, Ji J, Tong S, Tang S, Shi X. Exposome-Wide Ranking to Uncover Environmental Chemicals Associated with Dyslipidemia: A Panel Study in Healthy Older Chinese Adults from the BAPE Study. Environmental Health Perspectives 2024, 132: 97005. PMID: 39240788, PMCID: PMC11379127, DOI: 10.1289/ehp13864.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDyslipidemia markersCardiovascular diseaseMulti-omicsMarkers of dyslipidemiaExamination of cytokinesMeasurement of cytokinesSerum lipidomeSystemic inflammationMulti-omics profilingCardiac functionDyslipidemiaPrimary preventionClinical measuresSerumChinese adultsBlood transcriptomeImpact spectraCytokinesExposome-wide association studyInflammationMarkersBiomolecular pathwaysAssociationHealthy older adultsElectrocardiogramAssociation between Personal Abiotic Airborne Exposures and Body Composition Changes among Healthy Adults (60–69 Years Old): A Combined Exposome-Wide and Lipidome Mediation Approach from the China BAPE Study
Sun P, Guo X, Ding E, Li C, Ren H, Xu Y, Qian J, Deng F, Shi W, Dong H, Lin E, Guo P, Fang J, Zhang Q, Zhao W, Tong S, Lu X, Pollitt K, Shi X, Tang S. Association between Personal Abiotic Airborne Exposures and Body Composition Changes among Healthy Adults (60–69 Years Old): A Combined Exposome-Wide and Lipidome Mediation Approach from the China BAPE Study. Environmental Health Perspectives 2024, 132: 077005. PMID: 39028628, PMCID: PMC11259245, DOI: 10.1289/ehp13865.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsFat mass indicatorsHealthy older adultsBayesian kernel machine regressionVisceral fat areaOlder adultsPercent body fatBody compositionBody fat massExposome-wide association studyPrevention of chronic diseasesAir pollution exposureBody composition indicatorsMediation analysisInBody 770 deviceHealthy adultsAssociated with increased body fat massBody composition changesKernel machine regressionBayesian kernel machine regression modelsChronic diseasesPollution exposureBody fatAssociation studiesAdverse health effectsFat areaHigh-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Human Exposomics: Expanding Chemical Space Coverage
Lai Y, Koelmel J, Walker D, Price E, Papazian S, Manz K, Castilla-Fernández D, Bowden J, Nikiforov V, David A, Bessonneau V, Amer B, Seethapathy S, Hu X, Lin E, Jbebli A, McNeil B, Barupal D, Cerasa M, Xie H, Kalia V, Nandakumar R, Singh R, Tian Z, Gao P, Zhao Y, Froment J, Rostkowski P, Dubey S, Coufalíková K, Seličová H, Hecht H, Liu S, Udhani H, Restituito S, Tchou-Wong K, Lu K, Martin J, Warth B, Pollitt K, Klánová J, Fiehn O, Metz T, Pennell K, Jones D, Miller G. High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Human Exposomics: Expanding Chemical Space Coverage. Environmental Science And Technology 2024, 58: 12784-12822. PMID: 38984754, PMCID: PMC11271014, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01156.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsHigh-resolution mass spectrometryChemical spaceCoverage of chemical spaceMass spectrometryAccurate mass measurementsChemical space coverageNon-target approachHuman exposomeAnalytical workflowMass measurementsDisease outcomeGenetic driversSpectrometryHarmonized workflowMulti-omics integrationRetrospective validationCare providersChemistsMetabolomicsSpace coverageBiomoleculesHypothesis-drivenDiseasePersonal exposure to airborne organic pollutants and lung function changes among healthy older adults
Guo X, Ren H, Sun P, Ding E, Fang J, Fang K, Ma X, Li C, Li C, Xu Y, Cao K, Lin E, Guo P, Pollitt K, Tong S, Tang S, Shi X. Personal exposure to airborne organic pollutants and lung function changes among healthy older adults. Environmental Research 2024, 258: 119411. PMID: 38876423, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119411.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsA Pilot Study Utilizing Wearable Samplers to Assess Personal Chemical Exposure Profile of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Huston J, Valle G, Stewart J, Lin E, Zhou J, Liu S, Rochester C, Pollitt K, Dela Cruz C. A Pilot Study Utilizing Wearable Samplers to Assess Personal Chemical Exposure Profile of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2024, a3094-a3094. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2024.209.1_meetingabstracts.a3094.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Activities
activity MUDHRA Study
02/01/2019 - PresentResearchDetailsMysuru, KA, IndiaAbstract/SynopsisAssessment of indoor biomass smoke exposure induced adverse respiratory outcomes in women and children living in rural regions of India
activity Environmental factors in placental pathology
01/01/2019 - PresentResearchDetailsToronto, ON, CanadaAbstract/SynopsisThe placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy. It transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and allows for the removal of waste products from the fetus. Placental changes during pregnancy are normal and important to a healthy pregnancy. Abnormal changes can occur when the mother is exposed to certain risk factors and toxins, resulting in placental dysfunction. Placental dysfunction often involves changes to the blood vessels of the placenta, leading to reduced oxygen and nutrient exchange between the mother and the fetus. This may not only affect fetal growth and survival, but also long-term health following delivery. This study will screen environmental contaminants in blood samples collected from a prospective cohort of pregnant women. The association between environmental exposures and placental dysfunction will be evaluated.
activity Shunyi Birth Cohort
10/01/2018 - PresentResearchDetailsBeijing, ChinaAbstract/SynopsisPersonal air pollutant exposure assessment of pregnant women
activity VHEMBE Birth Cohort
09/01/2018 - PresentResearchDetailsThohoyandou, LP, South AfricaCollaboratorsAbstract/SynopsisHousehold Air Pollution and Immune Function in South African Children
activity BAPE Study
08/01/2018 - PresentResearchDetailsJinan, Shandong, ChinaAbstract/SynopsisEvaluation of biomarkers of air pollutants exposure in the Chinese aged 60-69
Honors
honor Joan M. Daisey Outstanding Young Scientist Award
10/03/2022International AwardInternational Society of Exposure ScienceDetailsUnited Stateshonor Early Career Research Award
05/01/2021Yale University AwardYale School of Public HealthDetailsUnited States
News & Links
Media
News
- May 11, 2025Source: MASS LIVE
YSPH scientist helping to reduce city's asthma problem
- March 13, 2025Source: World Economic Forum
How we prioritize clean air in an AI-powered world
- July 10, 2024
MPH candidate selects YSPH for its academic diversity and community engagement
- July 09, 2024
YSPH teams with state Department of Education to improve health in Connecticut schools
Get In Touch
Contacts
Mailing Address
Environmental Health Sciences
60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06510
United States
Locations
LEPH
Lab
60 College Street, Fl 5, Rm 510
New Haven, CT 06510