Environmental Stressors

PI: Ulrike Dydak;  Co-PIs: Jae Hong Park (HSCI); Sa Lui (HSCI), Aaron Bowman (HSCI); Ellen Wells (HSCI)

The team will gather data from up to 80 welders through questionnaires; motor, mood and memory tests; and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The images and data could reveal signs of neurological issues in the workers, who have been exposed to metal fumes containing manganese particulates.

PI: Carlos Martinez (Materials Eng);  Co-PIs: Jason Hoverman, Maria Sepulveda, Jeffery Youngblood;  Funding: Department of Defense, SERDP

The objective of this project is to develop a PFAS-free foam formulation (PFAS-FFF) that can serve as a drop-in replacement. The team is combining new custom-synthesized silicone surfactants that are formulated based on knowledge of their molecular properties to further lower surface tension with encapsulated foam additives designed to release at specific moments to enhance foam stability.

PI: Jason Cannon (Health Sci);  Co-PIs: Marisol Sepulveda (FNR), Amanda Hoskins, Tyler Hoskins;  Funding: NIH

Preliminary mechanistic and neuropathology data in nematode and amphibian models suggest that exposure to PFAS, especially perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) induces selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity. This project addresses an important gap on how PFAS exposure leads to long-term neurological disease risk.

PI: Jonathan Shannahan (HSCI);  Co-PIs: Brandon Boor (CIVIL), Andrew Whelton (CIVIL, EEE)

The central objective of this proposal is to investigate CIPP operational procedures that influence emissions and toxicity. Our hypothesis is that commonly utilized resin materials (styrene or non-styrene based) produce distinct emissions during the curing process that result in differential toxicity following inhalation.

PI: Marisol Sepúlveda (FNR);  Co-PIs: Jason Hoverman (FNR), Linda Lee (AGRO);  Funding: SERDP

The use of aqueous film-forming foams containing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) fire, crash, and training sites has potentially contributed to PFAS contamination of soil, water, and sediment. The overall objective of this SERDP effort is to develop amphibian toxicity reference values (TRVs) to support ecological risk assessment of PFASs in contaminated DERP sites. Such data are needed for supporting cleanup and/or exposure mitigation decisions.

PI: Jason Hoverman (FNR);  Co-PIs: Linda Lee (AGRO), Marisol Sepulveda (FNR);  Funding: MI DNR

Aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) containing PFAS have been extensively used at Department of Defense Fire/Crash/Training sites since the 1970s. Ecological risk characterization is currently limited by the lack of sufficient ecotoxicological and bioaccumulation/biomagnification data for the wide diversity of species and PFAS mixtures found at contaminated sites. PI Jason Hoverman (FNR) and postdoctoral researcher Wes Flynn (FNR) are leading this project to examine levels of PFAS contamination in Clark’s Marsh Wildlife Area.

PIs: Sa Liu (HSCI), Jennifer Johnson (ANTH);  Funding: RWJF

This project examines environmental contamination and community health in the deindustrialized Midwest. Together they focus on one community in Indiana where residents continue to source their water from a groundwater body long contaminated by multiple toxic chemical plumes released by former industries.

PI: Ellen Wells (HSCI);  Funding: NIH-CTSI

This project addresses rural health inequities related to the impact of environmental contamination in Hartford City, Indiana (population: 5,831). The team is implementing a comprehensive health survey that will be completed by 300 adults; the survey will collect data on health status and risk factors. Based on findings, the team will work with the community to develop a public health plan to reduce exposure and improve health equity.