Dr. Huang''s current research is on the toxicological aspects of iron, either from endogenous sources or from environmental pollutants. While iron deficiency causes anemia, iron overload may increase the risk of various diseases, such as cancer and fibrosis. Specific projects include: mechanisms of iron-containing coal in inducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as pneumoconiosis, pathogenesis of iron overload in hemochromatosis, and the interaction of iron with estrogens in breast cancer. Molecular biology and epidemiology approaches are the main tools applied in the laboratory for addressing the health issue of iron, an essential element.