The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is a network of multi-disciplinary scientists combining expertise in biomedical science and environmental science and engineering to provide practical, scientific solutions for pressing public health issues. SRP researchers study health effects of exposure to hazardous substances and investigate effective, sustainable ways to reduce or prevent exposures through a nationwide grantee network. A unique aspect of the SRP is the university-based multi-project center concept, where scientists and engineers work together and contribute their diverse expertise to address the center's research focus, including basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances. Center researchers are identifying ways to break down contaminants, creating sustainable remediation tools and techniques, and developing methods to assess and monitor remediation effectiveness. SRP is interested in approaches that prevent exposures and reduce the toxicity of hazardous substances beyond just the implementation of technologies. SRP firmly supports transdisciplinary research as a mechanism for introducing innovative solutions to problems. Research across disciplines helps to address critical barriers in the understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of hazardous substances in the environment. It has also led to the development of remediation and detection technologies that save money and provide additional societal benefits such as creation of small businesses, land and water reuse, sustainable technologies, exposure reduction, and university–industry partnerships. The SRP recognizes the need to improve and facilitate technology transfer to ensure that these innovative approaches are being implemented in the real world. Just as a conceptual site model represents all the conditions and processes that control the transport, migration, and potential impacts of contamination at a site, it is important for SRP researchers to take these same system approaches to integrate research across disciplines to make new discoveries in remediation and detection of contaminants. SRP’s focus on problem-based, solution-oriented research is critical for understanding and reducing exposures and can help inform opportunities to implement prevention and intervention approaches and improve health.

Superfund research program: Using a systems approach to guide innovation in remediation strategies

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.