2019 Science Matters Stories
Smoke Sense Adds Spanish-Speaking Version to Reach Those Impacted by Wildfire Smoke
December 10, 2019- EPA is conducting a research project called Smoke Sense to understand the health effects of wildland fire smoke and identify effective risk communication strategies. Citizen scientists can participate in the research using a mobile application—the Smoke Sense App. This year, a Spanish version has been added. Read Smoke Sense Adds Spanish-Speaking Version to Reach Those Impacted by Wildfire Smoke.
Improving Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to Lessen the Impacts of Biological Incidents in Underground Transportation System
December 10, 2019- It’s important to be able to immediately respond to a chemical or biological incident in a transportation hub, like a subway system. EPA researchers collaborated with the Department of Homeland Security to prepare our nation for this type of attack. This research identified specific tools and tactics for remediation of a subway system after contamination with anthrax and provided information on the cost and magnitude of such a response. Read Improving Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to Lessen the Impacts of Biological Incidents in Underground Transportation System.
Dogs May Teach Us How to Detect Cancer Earlier
December 10, 2019- EPA scientists explore exhaled breath aerosol samples to get clues for pre-clinical cancer screening. Read Dogs May Teach Us How to Detect Cancer Earlier.
EPA Continues to Update its Environmental Sampling & Analytical Methods (ESAM) Program
November 19, 2019- EPA helps the United States prepare for and respond to environmental disasters involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances. As part of this effort, EPA researchers developed the Environmental Sampling & Analytical Methods (ESAM) Program, a one-stop resource for field-and-laboratory-ready documents and web-based tools to support the remediation of a contaminated site. Read EPA Continues to Update its Environmental Sampling & Analytical Methods (ESAM) Program.
Advancing Technology to Study the Toxicity of Wildfire Smoke
November 4, 2019- Exposure to smoke can cause acute and chronic health impacts, although it is not clear if some types of smoke are worse than others. EPA researchers built a tube furnace system to generate different types of smoke to assess how fuel composition and combustion conditions affect the chemistry and subsequent toxicity of biomass smoke. The findings will help researchers more accurately assess the hazard of smoke exposure to firefighters, as well as people living in communities near or downwind of wildfires. Read Advancing Technology to Study the Toxicity of Wildfire Smoke.
EPA Leads International Case Study to Reduce Animal Testing for Chemical Safety
November 4, 2019- EPA is prioritizing efforts to reduce, refine, and replace animal testing in chemical safety research. EPA researchers identified an innovative approach to rapidly screen chemicals for biological impacts using new “in vitro,” or “in test-tube” methods. Read EPA Leads International Case Study to Reduce Animal Testing for Chemical Safety.
SeqAPASS Version 4.0 Adds New Interactive Help Menus and Interoperability with Other Online EPA Tools
November 4, 2019- Wondering how chemicals affect different species? Check out version 4.0 of EPA’s Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool, a publicly available online tool that uses protein sequences to help understand how chemicals will affect different species. The latest version includes interactive help menus and guidance for setting up appropriate protein comparisons. Read SeqAPASS Version 4.0 Adds New Interactive Help Menus and Interoperability with Other Online EPA Tools.
Nutrient Sensor Action Challenge Winners: Data and Decisions to Manage Excess Nutrients
October 22, 2019- Excess nutrients are one of our country’s most widespread and challenging water quality problems. EPA and partners are focused on improving nutrient management by incentivizing the development of low-cost technology solutions such as nutrient sensors. Read Nutrient Sensor Action Challenge Winners: Data and Decisions to Manage Excess Nutrients.
EPA Researchers Evaluate Procedures to More Effectively Manage Clean-up Following Pesticide Misuse Incidents
October 22, 2019- It’s important to always follow the instructions on labels when applying pesticides. Misusing pesticides can result in indoor contamination which may harm the health of users and require special clean-up. EPA researchers evaluated procedures to more effectively manage clean-up when pesticides are used incorrectly. Read EPA Researchers Evaluate Procedures to More Effectively Manage Clean-up Following Pesticide Misuse Incidents.
EPA Researchers Help Prepare Drinking Water Utilities for Natural Disasters
September 24, 2019- Natural disasters can disrupt access to clean drinking water. To help communities and drinking water utilities, EPA researchers and partners from the Sandia National Laboratories developed the Water Network Tool for Resilience (WNTR), a comprehensive scientific software package to help assess the resilience of drinking water systems to natural disasters. Read EPA Researchers Help Prepare Drinking Water Utilities for Natural Disasters.
Keeping up with 3D Printing: EPA Researchers Build on New Plastic Emissions Study
September 10, 2019- Common 3D printer ink, or filament, can emit gasses during the printing phase that may pose a health risk to users and bystanders. EPA researchers studied VOC emissions from carbon nanotubes filaments under a variety of conditions to simulate the different heating, melting, and forming of plastics that can occur during 3D printing. This research can lead to printer designs that limit these emissions and recommended printing locations that limit exposure to users. Read Keeping up with 3D Printing: EPA Researchers Build on New Plastic Emissions Study.
Wildfires: How Do They Affect Our Water Supplies?
August 13, 2019- Just as wildfires impact air quality, they can also affect the quantity and quality of water. EPA researchers are examining pre- and post-wildfire data on streams in the western United States to understand how wildfires change the daily flow of sediment and water in streams. This research will help protect water supplies from wildfires. Read Wildfires: How Do They Affect Our Water Supplies?
Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke
July 30, 2019- EPA researchers are tackling smoke issues from wildfires. Researchers are driving mobile laboratories to wildfires as they occur in the Northwest. Their research will improve the ability to predict smoke from both wildfires and prescribed burns and determine what air monitors are best for measuring smoke from wildfires. Read Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke.
EPA Scientists Evaluate Low-Cost Air Sensors in Phoenix, Arizona
July 30, 2019- How reliable is data coming from low-cost air sensors? EPA is working with states, and local agencies such as the Maricopa County Air Quality Department in Phoenix, Arizona, to evaluate the ability of certain low-cost sensors to monitor pollutants under different environmental conditions. Read EPA Scientists Evaluate Low-Cost Air Sensors in Phoenix, Arizona.
CyAN Mobile App Helps Communities Detect Cyanobacteria in U.S. Water Bodies
July 16, 2019- The most effective way of protecting public health from harmful algal blooms is avoiding water containing cyanobacteria. That’s why EPA developed the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network mobile app, an early warning indicator system for algal blooms in U.S. freshwater systems, which will allow local water quality managers to proactively plan for cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms in their communities. Read CyAN Mobile App Helps Communities Detect Cyanobacteria in U.S. Water Bodies.
Blowing Smoke: What Can Firefighters’ Breath Reveal About Chemical Exposure During a Fire?
July 16, 2019- EPA researchers are working to better understand firefighters’ chemical exposure and protect their health. As part of a collaborative study with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, researchers analyzed firefighters’ breath samples to assess their exposure to volatile organic compounds. Read Blowing Smoke: What Can Firefighters’ Breath Reveal About Chemical Exposure During a Fire?
Protecting Pollinators
June 18, 2019- The most recognized pollinators, honey bees, have experienced a decline in the U.S. and many other countries. EPA researchers are developing methods, tools, and models to better understand the effects of pesticides on bees. Read Protecting Pollinators.
Study Assesses Long-Term Capabilities of Air Sensors
June 18, 2019- There are still many uncertainties about the operating and performance capabilities of low-cost air sensors. This summer, EPA begins the Long-Term Performance Project to tackle questions about long-term use of air sensors, and their performance and capabilities. Researchers will evaluate six models of commercial air sensors, placing them in seven locations with diverse climates and air quality conditions across the country. Read Study Assesses Long-Term Capabilities of Air Sensors.
EPA Stream Restoration Research Supports Chesapeake Bay Recovery
June 4, 2019- Fifty-one billion gallons of water flow into Chesapeake Bay on a daily basis, sometimes picking up harmful contaminants along the way. Natural habitats can act as a filter for the watershed, which is why several communities around the Chesapeake Bay are restoring local streams to a more natural-like state. EPA stream restoration research is providing the science needed to continue to protect and restore the nation’s largest estuary. Read EPA Stream Restoration Research Supports Chesapeake Bay Recovery.
A Winning Formula: Making Connections to Turn Food Waste into Energy
May 21, 2019- Food waste is the single largest component of our daily trash, adding up to 133 billion pounds of food at the retail and consumer levels in the United States that go uneaten. EPA is addressing this issue through the interactive Excess Food Opportunities Map, which identifies and displays information about potential generators and recipients of excess food. The map inspired Brett Reinford, a second-generation farmer in Pennsylvania, to build a digester for his family farm that turns waste into energy. Read A Winning Formula: Making Connections to Turn Food Waste into Energy.
EPA Researchers Share Lessons Learned from Citizen Science Research Projects
May 21, 2019- Environmental Health Assessments (EHAs) are used to better understand the range of possible effects of environmental factors on a community’s health and wellbeing. These assessments are even more effective when researchers involve the community through citizen science. Using decades of experience conducting citizen science-based EHAs, EPA scientists have recently published paper on advice and frequently asked questions to help other communities conduct these assessments. Read EPA Researchers Share Lessons Learned from Citizen Science Research Projects.
Update to Chemical Dashboard Adds Wealth of Chemical and Biological Data and Improves User Interface
May 7, 2019- EPA’s Computational Toxicology Chemicals Dashboard is a one-stop-shop for chemistry, toxicity, exposure, and bioactivity data on thousands of chemicals. EPA scientists have recently released an update to the online Dashboard. The latest version adds 110,000 chemicals and associated data, bringing the total number of chemicals to 875,000. Read Update to Chemical Dashboard Adds Wealth of Chemical and Biological Data and Improves User Interface.
Protecting Communities with Safe, Sustainable Materials Management
May 7, 2019- One of EPA’s priorities is advancing sustainable materials management practices. The management of construction and demolition debris presents a significant opportunity in terms of economic and environmental benefits. Read Protecting Communities with Safe, Sustainable Materials Management.
Workshop on Performance Targets for Low-Cost Air Sensors Scheduled for July 16
May 7, 2019- While the development and use of low-cost air sensors is on the rise, certification standards for these devices do not exist. EPA is conducting a workshop on July 16 to obtain a variety of viewpoints on the establishment of non-regulatory performance targets for four regulated air pollutants. Read Workshop on Performance Targets for Low-Cost Air Sensors Scheduled for July 16.
Village Green Project Air Monitoring Stations A Success
May 7, 2019- After more than five successful years, EPA is concluding its work on the Village Green project. The Village Green project was an innovative community-based research effort to demonstrate near real-time air monitoring technology, engage the public in learning about local air quality, and collect high-quality data for research. All of the eight stations except the Durham, North Carolina station, have been released to community partners to operate. Read Village Green Project Air Monitoring Stations A Success.
Research on the Impact of Diet on Cardiovascular Responses to Air Pollution
April 23, 2019- Every day, our choices can have an effect on the internal processes that maintain normal function in our bodies. EPA research is exploring how diet, which can influence physiology and health in both overt and subtle ways, can shape our body’s response to air pollution. Read Research on the Impact of Diet on Cardiovascular Responses to Air Pollution.
EPA’s Office of Research and Development Reorganizes to Better Support EPA’s Mission
April 8, 2019- EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) recently announced plans to reorganize. The proposed structural changes will increase the impact of ORD’s research efforts and better address the increasingly complex environmental challenges of the 21st century. Read EPA’s Office of Research and Development Reorganizes to Better Support EPA’s Mission.
Scaling Back: EPA Researchers Help Communities Protect Drinking Water Systems from Lead
April 8, 2019- Lead in drinking water poses major health risks. EPA researchers are leading research to better understand the dynamics of water chemistry, treatment, and infrastructure to help facility managers and local communities keep lead out of drinking water. Read Scaling Back: EPA Researchers Help Communities Protect Drinking Water Systems from Lead.
EPA’s EnviroAtlas Publishes Data on Three New Urban Areas, Including Philadelphia and Salt Lake City
April 8, 2019- EPA’s EnviroAtlas uses maps and data to help communities understand the relationship between nature, health, well-being, and the economy. Researchers have added fine-scale data and maps for three new urban areas to EnviroAtlas, in addition to the 24 U.S. urban areas already included. The new featured areas, Philadelphia, PA, Salt Lake City, UT, and Sonoma County, CA, collectively include over 300 cities and towns not previously covered. Read EPA’s EnviroAtlas Publishes Data on Three New Urban Areas, Including Philadelphia and Salt Lake City.
New EPA Citizen Science Quality Assurance Handbook Provides Best Practices for Citizen Science Projects
March 26, 2019- Using new technologies, it is easier than ever to collect, analyze, and report environmental data. To help citizen scientists improve data quality, EPA has created a new Quality Assurance handbook to be used with accompanying templates and examples for citizen science. These documents provide best practices for citizen science organizations on how to document quality assurance for citizen science projects. Read New EPA Citizen Science Quality Assurance Handbook Provides Best Practices for Citizen Science Projects.
Going Back to our Roots: EPA Researchers Help the City of Durham, North Carolina Site New Trees
March 26, 2019- Nearly a century ago, the City of Durham, North Carolina went on a tree planting spree—but now the trees are approaching the end of their lifespans. As part of a new tree planting initiative, the City asked EPA researchers to develop a plan that would prioritize where to place trees to maximize the benefits the trees would provide to the community. Read Going Back to our Roots: EPA Researchers Help the City of Durham, North Carolina Site New Trees.
Do Dietary Supplements Protect Against the Harmful Effects of Air Pollution Exposure?
March 12, 2018- EPA researchers are evaluating whether dietary supplements can mitigate some of the adverse effects of ozone exposure. Ground-level ozone, one of the six criteria air pollutants that is regulated by the EPA, is a molecule known to cause a variety of adverse health effects at elevated concentrations. Read Do Dietary Supplements Protect Against the Harmful Effects of Air Pollution Exposure?
EPA Scientists Share Their Advances in Toxicology Research at the Society of Toxicology’s Annual Meeting
March 12, 2019- The meeting is an opportunity for leaders in the field to come together to share the latest advances in toxicology and collaborate on future projects. Learn more about the research EPA presented including models that look at chemical exposures, research findings on the health effects of smoke exposure, and more. Read EPA Scientists Share Their Advances in Toxicology Research at the Society of Toxicology’s Annual Meeting.
Study Shows Possible Link Between Air Pollution and Higher Cholesterol Levels
February 26, 2019- According to the CDC, high cholesterol is a known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attacks. EPA researchers are using new diagnostic technology and air quality modeling to better understand potential links between air quality and high cholesterol. The findings may support efforts to identify intervention strategies and assist decision makers with protecting the public from environmental risks. Read Study Shows Possible Link Between Air Pollution and Higher Cholesterol Levels.
EPA and Partners Describe a Chemical Category Prioritization Approach to Select 75 PFAS for Testing using New Approach Methods
February 26, 2019- In collaboration with the National Toxicology Program, researchers used a chemical category prioritization approach to select 75 PFAS chemicals to begin testing using the new methods. The data gathered will help inform human health assessments. Read EPA and Partners Describe a Chemical Category Prioritization Approach to Select 75 PFAS for Testing using New Approach Methods.
Using EnviroAtlas to Empower Decision-Makers of Today and Tomorrow
February 26, 2019- This past June, EPA brought together teachers, researchers and staff for an environmental education workshop focused on EPA’s EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas is a web-based interactive mapping tool, containing hundreds of geospatial data layers, built-in analysis tools, and a wealth of other resources, that allows users to explore their surrounding environment. Check out our ready-made EnviroAtlas lesson plans for every grade level, from kindergarten through undergraduate. Read Using EnviroAtlas to Empower Decision-Makers of Today and Tomorrow.
EPA Tools Help Local Decision-Makers Deal with Waste Resulting from Major Natural Disasters
February 12, 2019- Following a natural disaster, communities can face an unexpected challenge: what to do with the tons of waste and debris left behind. To help manage waste after disasters, EPA researchers and partners developed a suite of tools to assist in both urban and rural waste management planning and emergency response. Read EPA Tools Help Local Decision-Makers Deal with Waste Resulting from Major Natural Disasters.