E-Factor Stories

Unmasking NDMA: Cancer Clues and Repair Insights

Environmental contaminants like n-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) leave distinct mutation patterns in DNA, according to Amanda Armijo, D.V.M., Ph.D. The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) trainee presented her research on the genetic effects of NDMA at the August 2 Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award Lecture.

Chemical Contamination Reduced by Grantee's Innovative Technology

SRP grantee Upal Ghosh, Ph.D., helped to create and commercialize SediMite, a technological solution to environmental cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). NIEHS Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., spoke with Ghosh about his efforts, the scale of environmental contamination globally, and the evolving landscape of remediation technologies. 

Well Water Test History Must Now Be Shared With Home Buyers

UNC researchers and law students have helped inform potential homebuyers about well water testing. (Photo courtesy of UNC School of Law)

Residential property disclosure statements in North Carolina now include a question about testing for contaminants in private wells, thanks to work by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill SRP Center and collaborators. The decision by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, effective July 1, requires sellers to indicate whether dwellings supplied by private well water have ever had the water supply tested for quality, quantity, and pressure and, if so, to provide the date of the test.

Extramural Paper of the Month: Cancer-preventive Mechanisms of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Uncovered

Baylor College of Medicine SRP Center researchers identified mechanisms through which omega-3 fatty acids may protect against lung cancer caused by exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mice.

Extramural Paper of the Month: Health Intervention Shows Reduced Arsenic Exposures Among Tribes

Exposure to arsenic from private wells declined among American Indian communities that received free kitchen faucet filters and periodic health check-ins through phone calls and home visits, according to researchers at the Columbia University Northern Plains SRP Center.

News Stories

SRP Grantees Lead the Conversation on PFAS

Funded in part by SRP, the fourth National PFAS Conference was hosted June 9-12 by the Michigan State University (MSU) SRP Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The event featured researchers and collaborators from the MSU SRP Center, the North Carolina State University SRP Center, and the University of Rhode Island SRP Center. Other attendees and presenters included representatives of several state and local government agencies, the U.S. Congress, grassroots community organizations, impacted communities, and international organizations.

SRP Webinar Series Highlights Grant Recipients' Contributions to Worker Safety

New approaches to address the occupational health and safety risks found in various workplaces were the focus of an SRP Progress in Research webinar series. During the three-part series, held in April and May, seven SRP grant recipients, along with representatives from the NIEHS Worker Training Program and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, presented research, curricula, and tools designed to better prepare workers to do their jobs safely.

Research Briefs

Early Life Exposures May Shape Infant Immune System

Exposure to certain chemicals during early pregnancy may influence how a baby's immune system develops, according to a study partly funded by SRP. The scientists discovered that some PFAS and metals may alter how an infant's immune system responds to environmental triggers.

Pyrite Improves Electrochemical System for Removing a Chemical Mixture

Adding a common mineral, pyrite, to an electrochemical system can simultaneously remove organic and heavy metal contaminants from groundwater, according to a study by the Northeastern University SRP Center.

Environmental Factors Alter PFAS Removal by Specialized Nanomaterials

SRP-funded researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo revealed how characteristics of water treatment systems may alter the ability of novel nanomaterials to remove PFAS. The team previously created a new approach that uses a novel nanomaterial made of tiny iron particles attached to absorb PFAS. In the new study, they fine-tuned their technology to ensure it effectively removes PFAS in aqueous environments with diverse characteristics, such as pH and salt level.

Hot Publications

Check out our Hot Publications page to see brief summaries of papers that have been featured in the monthly e-Posted Notes newsletter!