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NIEHS Superfund Research Program - Research Brief Podcasts
NIEHS Superfund Research Program - Research Brief Podcasts episodes
- Cellulose Nanomaterials in Environmental Cleanup TechnologiesNanomaterials made of cellulose, a natural polymer used mainly to produce paper, hold great promise in environmental remediation applications and water filtration membranes, according to Duke University Superfund Research Program (Duke SRP) researchers. In a compilation of research findings, Duke SRP researchers led by Mark Wiesner, Ph.D., outline the physical and chemical properties, production costs, and current use of cellulose nanomaterials.6 min
- PCE in Drinking Water Linked to Cancer and EpilepsyEarly-life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE; perchloroethylene) in drinking water may increase the risk of epilepsy and certain types of cancer into adulthood, according to Boston University Superfund Research Program (BU SRP) Center researchers. PCE is a solvent frequently used in dry cleaning solutions, adhesives, metal degreasers, and other commercial products.6 min
- River Algae Affects Mercury Pollution at Superfund SiteA new study has shown that periphyton -- a community of algae, bacteria, and other natural material living on submerged surfaces -- is helping to transform mercury from a Superfund site into methylmercury, a more toxic form. The study, led by Dartmouth College Superfund Research Program (SRP) researchers, also found lower than anticipated levels of methylmercury in small fish located downstream from a former chemical plant, despite elevated levels of methylmercury in sediment, water, and periphyton.5 min
- Using Lead Isotopes to Identify Sources of Metal and Metalloid ContaminantsBy sampling wind-blown dust and aerosol, researchers from the University of Arizona Superfund Research Program (UA SRP) have measured airborne metal and metalloid contaminant dispersion patterns from mining operations. While using an existing technique in a new way, the UA SRP researchers measured the extent of soil contamination near a mine and smelter while verifying the use of lead isotope analysis to identify contaminant sources.6 min
- Switchgrass and Bacteria Work Together to Remove PCBs from SoilResearchers at the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (Iowa SRP) Center have found that switchgrass, a plant native to central North America, can effectively remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated soil. When PCB-degrading bacteria are added, removal of PCBs from the soil can increase further. This phytoremediation method may be an efficient and sustainable strategy for removing PCBs from hazardous waste sites.5 min
- Detecting Environmental Chemicals with Novel Immunoassay TechnologyA new low-cost portable device uses a smartphone to detect the presence and concentrations of BDE-47 (2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether), a type of flame retardant and widespread environmental contaminant. The device uses a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platform to perform microscale enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), a popular lab technique that uses antibodies designed to measure a specific substance in a sample. The LOC platform performed comparably to the standard ELISA laboratory protocol but in much less time and with much smaller sample sizes.6 min
- Assessing and Reducing Health Risks from Arsenic in Private Well WaterWe are at a crossroads when it comes to reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes from arsenic in private well water in the United States, according to Yan Zheng, Ph.D., professor at the City University of New York and community engagement leader at the Columbia University Superfund Research Program (CU SRP), and Joseph Ayotte, P.G., a U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist. They claim we have a better understanding of factors influencing arsenic occurrence in well water and its health effects but little knowledge about what actions households with private wells have taken to reduce arsenic exposure and the reasons for taking those actions.7 min
- SRP Researchers Determine that Triclosan Promotes Liver Tumor Growth in MiceA collaborative study showed that long-term exposure to triclosan promotes the growth of liver tumors in laboratory mice, raising concerns about its safety for humans. Triclosan is a common antibacterial chemical used in a wide variety of consumer products, such as cosmetics, soaps, detergents, and toothpaste.6 min
- Combined Exposure to Glucocorticoids and Chlorpyrifos Influences Neurobehavioral DevelopmentPrenatal glucocorticoid treatment, used to speed up the development of a preterm infant's lungs, has the potential to worsen the outcome of later exposures to toxins, according to findings by the Duke University Superfund Research Program (SRP). The study in rats, led by Ed Levin, Ph.D., and Ted Slotkin, Ph.D., explored how exposure to glucocorticoids, a type of steroid, before birth changes the effect of the insecticide chlorpyrifos on behavioral development.5 min
- Comparing Black Carbon Types to Sequester PBDEs in SedimentsResearchers from the University of California, Riverside found that the addition of black carbon reduces the bioavailability, or the fraction of chemicals that can be taken up by organisms, of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediment. They developed a method to measure PBDE bioavailability in sediment and found that reduction in bioavailability varied greatly depending on the type of black carbon; activated carbon showed the best efficiency compared to biochar or charcoal.5 min
About NIEHS Superfund Research Program - Research Brief Podcasts
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["The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) produces a monthly Research Brief Podcast that highlights the research of SRP grantees. The SRP is a…
network of university grants that seek solutions to the complex health and environmental issues associated with the nation's hazardous waste sites. The research conducted by the SRP is a coordinated effort with the Environmental Protection Agency, which is the federal entity charged with cleaning up the worst hazardous waste sites in the country. For information on how NIEHS interacts with its online visitors, check out its Web Policies - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/ocpl/policies/", "The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) produces a monthly Research Brief Podcast that highlights the research of SRP grantees. The SRP is a network of university grants that seek solutions to the complex health and environmental issues associated with the nation's hazardous waste sites. The research conducted by the SRP is a coordinated effort with the Environmental Protection Agency, which is the federal entity charged with cleaning up the worst hazardous waste sites in the country. For information on how NIEHS interacts with its online visitors, check out its Web Policies - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/ocpl/policies/"]