The URI-led STEEP (Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of PFASs) proposes to aid the Superfund Research Program in addressing the emerging and expanding problem of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) contamination. PFASs are industrial compounds that have been manufactured since the 1950s for use in a myriad of products due to their unique oil and water repellent properties. The environmental dissemination and the human health effects of PFASs are only beginning to emerge. Thus, the U.S. EPA limits for PFAS contamination of drinking water remain provisional since they were first published in 2009. In the recently released 2015 draft ToxProfile, ATSDR highlighted uncertainties and disregarded recent reports on adverse human health effects of PFAS exposures from epidemiological studies. Thus, the need for improved risk characterization is urgent and timely.
STEEP aims to better understand the pathways of PFAS contamination from entry into the environment through groundwater contamination, dispersal through the food web, and distribution to vulnerable human populations during early development, in part through breast milk. Specifically, STEEP will characterize sources of PFAS through in situ groundwater measurements combined with geochemical modeling to assess transport and fate (Project 1). The biomedical studies will assess the relationship of PFAS to risk of immune dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities, to be used to derive benchmark doses levels for PFASs for improved risk characterization. Due to the hypersusceptibility during early development, the research will focus on the impact of in utero and early postnatal PFAS exposures on sensitive indicators of organ dysfunctions through parallel human epidemiologic studies (Project 2) and rodent model studies (Project 3). Then, environmental engineering and chemistry research will support the development and deployment of in situ passive sampling techniques for PFAS and their precursors in water (Project 4). STEEP will thereby address limitations in the current understanding of human exposure to PFAS by combining targeted human exposure assessment with chemometric approaches to characterize existing PFAS sources. To ensure a legacy of scientific awareness, the dissemination of broadly accessible research findings, and practical application by affected communities, STEEP Cores will match the intensity and rigor of the research projects. STEEP Cores will serve to a) prepare the next generation of interdisciplinary emerging contaminant researchers (Training Core), b) translate scientific findings generated by STEEP projects for dissemination to various internal and external stakeholders (Research Translation Core), and c) engage Cape Cod communities on the front lines of PFASs exposure through drinking water contaminated by Aqueous film forming foam use at Joint Base Cape Cod. The Administrative Core, led by its directors, and guided by Internal and External Advisory Committees, will ensure the integration of STEEP?s projects and cores.

Public Health Relevance

The URI-led STEEP Center will provide novel insights and tools to a) address the complex human and environmental health challenges posed by exposure to poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) and their precursors at contaminated sites, b) improve PFAS detection methodology in water, c) assess human health effects of PFAS, and d) directly inform remediation efforts with local communities. Working with Harvard University and Silent Spring Institute as project partners, government agencies, community organizations, and public stakeholders, STEEP will build an interdisciplinary framework rooted in advanced techniques in biomedical science and environmental engineering to address human exposures to PFASs compounds at contaminated sites. The STEEP framework will a) use a combination of traditional and innovative communication strategies to set forth national models for academic-community-public health engagement, b) develop quantitative and qualitative methodologies to improve environmental health and reduce human exposure, and c) provide interdisciplinary training to the next generation of researchers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Hazardous Substances Basic Research Grants Program (NIEHS) (P42)
Project #
5P42ES027706-04
Application #
9904663
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1)
Program Officer
Heacock, Michelle
Project Start
2017-09-01
Project End
2022-03-31
Budget Start
2020-04-01
Budget End
2021-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rhode Island
Department
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
144017188
City
Kingston
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02881
DeWitt, Jamie C; Blossom, Sarah J; Schaider, Laurel A (2018) Exposure to per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances leads to immunotoxicity: epidemiological and toxicological evidence. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol :
Sunderland, Elsie M; Hu, Xindi C; Dassuncao, Clifton et al. (2018) A review of the pathways of human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and present understanding of health effects. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol :
Budtz-Jørgensen, Esben; Grandjean, Philippe (2018) Application of benchmark analysis for mixed contaminant exposures: Mutual adjustment of perfluoroalkylate substances associated with immunotoxicity. PLoS One 13:e0205388
Grandjean, Philippe; Abdennebi-Najar, Latifa; Barouki, Robert et al. (2018) Timescales of developmental toxicity impacting on research and needs for intervention. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol :
Hu, Xindi C; Dassuncao, Clifton; Zhang, Xianming et al. (2018) Can profiles of poly- and Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in human serum provide information on major exposure sources? Environ Health 17:11
Jensen, Richard Christian; Glintborg, Dorte; Timmermann, Clara Amalie Gade et al. (2018) Perfluoroalkyl substances and glycemic status in pregnant Danish women: The Odense Child Cohort. Environ Int 116:101-107
Dixon-Anderson, Erik; Lohmann, Rainer (2018) Field-testing polyethylene passive samplers for the detection of neutral polyfluorinated alkyl substances in air and water. Environ Toxicol Chem 37:3002-3010
Mie, Axel; Rudén, Christina; Grandjean, Philippe (2018) Safety of Safety Evaluation of Pesticides: developmental neurotoxicity of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl. Environ Health 17:77
Grandjean, Philippe (2018) Health Status of Workers Exposed to Perfluorinated Alkylate Substances. J Occup Environ Med 60:e562
Sun, Qi; Zong, Geng; Valvi, Damaskini et al. (2018) Plasma Concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Investigation among U.S. Women. Environ Health Perspect 126:037001

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