Water Research Innovation from the NIEHS Superfund Research Program An Integrated Approach for Sustainable Solutions

Transcription

1 Water Research Innovation from the NIEHS Superfund Research Program An Integrated Approach for Sustainable Solutions Heather F. Henry and William A. Suk Superfund Research Program National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

2 NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) Basic research grant program Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act (SARA), 1986 Clean Water Act Objectives Health: Toxicology and Epidemiology Engineering: Monitoring and Remediation Risk Levels & Dose Response Technologies Innovation Hazardous Substances: - Currently on Superfund Sites Copy of SARA - EmergingLegislation Contaminants of Concern 2 - Assures achievement of Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) - Testing to insure compliance with MCLs - Proper operation of drinking water system

3 SRP Model: Integrated Approach to Solve Complex Problems Health: Toxicology and Epidemiology What is Clean? Are we achieving Clean? How to achieve Clean? Engineering: Monitoring and Remediation Clean Drinking Water Access 3 Translate Research to Policy Makers and Drinking Water Industry Engage With Communities: What is User-Friendly?

4 Advances in Water Research: Health Protects Public Health through Science-Based Policy Metal exposures from NC wells linked to preterm birth (Rebecca Fry*, UNC) Other Examples: PCE exposures in early life lead to later life consequences (Aschengrau, Boston U) TCE/phthalate exposures as risk factor for preterm birth (Meeker, U Michigan) Arsenic in well water concern for immune function, cardio, cancer etc. (several researchers at Dartmouth, Columbia, Berkeley) Investment in epidemiology and toxicology research delivers science-based policy (i.e. MCLs) for safe drinking water. 4 *Summit Participant

5 Advances in Community Engagement Results of Science Communicated Broadly Outreach to NC Educators UNC held hands on workshop on environmental health topics for NC Teachers in counties impacted by high levels of As in wells (Kathleen Gray* et al., UNC) Well-Testing and Remediation: Dartmouth developed YouTube videos about pros/cons of testing/remediation of As in well water (Celia Chen, Mark Borsuk*, Dartmouth) 5 Other Examples: Citizen Science training children on a field kit-based water testing laboratory for groundwater arsenic (Zheng, Columbia) Translating MCL Levels Outreach to tribal communities about Gold King Mine Spill. Fact sheets developed to aid in understanding of the potential health and environmental risks (Maier, U Arizona) *Summit Participants

6 Integration of Health Advances Sets Goals for Technology Innovation Toxicology and Epidemiology What is Clean? Are we achieving Clean? How to achieve Clean? Monitoring and Remediation Technology specifications: Which contaminants to look for? What concentrations? What level of contaminant removal is adequate? Are byproducts of remediation less toxic? Long-term: Exposure Prevention Remediation of pollution at the sources in groundwater and surface water Protecting water ecosystem services (natural resources) 6

7 Monitors for Water, Soil, Sediments Mike Denison, UC Davis (P42ES004699) Chemically-Activated Luciferace expression (CALUX) cell bioassay to detect and measure chemicals in a variety of sources including water 7 Tailored to light up according to the amount of a certain chemical in a sample, such as dioxins and hormonal mimics Jay James, Picoyune (R43/R44 ES023729) Gold nanoparticle-based sensor to measure mercury in liquid or aqueous samples Inexpensive, simple, and highly sensitive

8 Real-Time Monitoring Technologies Philippe Dekleva, Advanced Microlabs (R44ES017200) Perchlorate monitor informs remediation of water at water treatment facilities adding reactants only if they are needed Benchtop Instrument Online Analyzer Real-time readings from device integrated with treatment system System allows water treatment to operate more cost effectively and with greater public safety. Reactant added if perchlorate present Nothing is added if perchlorate undetected 8 Detector can also measure heavy metals via Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV).

9 Monitoring for Multiple (Unknown) Contaminants Roger Giese, Northeastern University (P42ES017198) Tea Bag concentrates non-targeted contaminants (100s of contaminants) and stores them for later analysis. Sampler is piloted for environmental sampling and biomonitoring (urine) Tea Bag Sampler : easy to use by field workers and nurses. 9 Used for groundwater samples and biospecimens

10 Biological-based Remediation Technologies Joseph Salanitro and Fatemeh Shirazi, Microvi Biotechnologies, (R43/R44 ES022123) Microniche Technology bioreactor is innovatively designed to stimulate growth of bacteria capable of degrading 1,4-dioxane which means faster remediation. Scanning Electron Micrograph of Microniche Bioractor 10

11 Treating Aquifers in Place (in situ) David L Sedlak and Fiona M. Doyle, UC Berkeley (P42ES004705) Testing new approaches for destroying solvents and difficult-to-treat contaminants (e.g., PFOA, PFOS) using oxidants such as persulfate and hydrogen peroxide. Akram Alshawabkeh, Northeastern University (P42ES017198) Green remediation of TCE by solar energy conversion for groundwater, especially in karst regions. Solar panels apply low direct electric currents through electrodes in wells to manipulate groundwater chemistry by electrolysis. 11

12 Enhanced Membranes Mark Weisner, Duke University* (P42ES010356) Couples microorganism degradation processes with zero valent iron (ZVI) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials for contaminant degradation of brominated flame retardants. Dibakar Bhatacharyya, University of Kentucky (P42ES007380) Functionalized zero valent iron / palladium membrane filters rapidly degrades polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trichloroethylene (TCE), completely eliminating their toxic byproducts. David Battaglia, Lynntech (R43ES024625) Developing membrane-enhancement technologies to purify water without fouling. Foulants & Chemical Contaminants Waste Water 12 * Alexis Wells Carpenter, User Friendly Technology Purified Water

13 13 Technology Innovation New Solutions Improved Water Monitoring Real-time and rapid monitoring of water Multi-analyte samplers Innovative, Sustainable Remediation Biological-based (biofiltration, bioremediation) In situ (in place) remediation Membrane technologies (nano-enhanced) Membrane Technology Contaminants in SRP Portfolio: As, Hg, PAHs, Halogenated Compounds, PFOS/PFOAs, phthalates, non-targeted Other agencies funding water research: NSF, EPA, DOE, DOD, DOI have Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) for water technologies. Disruptive Technology: will replace existing tools someday

14 Opportunities and Challenges Technology Transfer How to reach end-users? To regulatory agencies health investigators take initiative to serve on panels: IARC, IRIS, CMERC To the water industry recent engagement between integrated water systems/groups (EPA Water Clusters) and technology developers To communities: utilize best practices of community engagement Other Opportunities: Data integration and sharing NIH and Federal Initiative to share data (Public Access Plan) Transparency of results can build confidence in new technologies (SRP Webinar Series Ongoing: 14

15 Thank You! Martin Armes, Kimberly Thigpen-Tart, Summit Organizers NIEHS: William A. Suk, Sara Mishamandani, SRP Team More Information: My Contact Info: Heather Henry, PhD SRP Website: Funding Opportunities; Search Tools, Free Webinars: Big Data, Water Coming Spring 2016! Free Webinar Series: SRP Water Innovation An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Solutions 1.usa.gov/1jD5PSl

16 Contaminants Studied in Monitoring and Remediation Water Treatment Projects (Funded by SRP in FY ) 16

17 Links for More Information: 17 Coming Spring 2016: SRP Webinar Series on Water: events/riskelearning/index.cfm NIH RePORTer: SRP Website Search Tool: SRP Research Brief: Funding Opportunities: funding/index.cfm