The Superfund Research Program at The University of Iowa (ISRP) is a joint endeavor involving basic, mechanistic, and applied research projects in biomedical and environmental research areas addressing semi- volatile polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The overall goal of the ISRP is to identify atmospheric sources, exposures, and potential consequences to human health of semi-volatile PCBs. To achieve this goal, the ISRP addresses volatilization, transport and resultant exposure of lower halogenated PCBs, especially those PCBs that are associated with contaminated waters, former industrial sites, and buildings (especially school buildings). We plan to identify routes of exposure with an eye to preventing or limiting exposure and ameliorating the effects. The ISRP brings together 17 scientists, representing 7 departments in 5 colleges, and two universities. Working together, we will measure sources, transport and environmental exposure of PCBs (Projects 4 and 6); their distribution, metabolism and toxicity in animals and humans (Projects 1, 3 and 7); and novel methods of phytoremediation (Project 5). Proposed studies include a community-based participatory research project-an of exposures to citizens who live or work in the vicinity of sources of lower chlorinated PCBs in the Chicago Metropolitan area. We enjoy the cooperation of citizen groups in Chicago, IL and East Chicago, IN where many ethnic-minority citizens are living below the poverty line near de- industrialized sites. Our research projects and overall efficiency are supported by six cores: Administration, Synthesis, Analytical, Training, Research Translation and Community Engagement - which assist the projects in coordination, information transfer, design and analysis of experiments, and assessment of research. The Synthesis Core synthesizes all compounds/mixtures to be studied, while the Analytical Core provides critical compositional information from metabolism to movement. Community Engagement and Research Translation Cores transmit research findings to a variety of stakeholders and involve those stakeholders in research activities. A Training Core and the research projects provide for the training of 16 students and postdoctoral scholars each year (70 have been trained in the previous funding period). The assessment / evaluation process culminates in an annual meeting of our 8-member External Advisory Committee. Overall this multidisciplinary program brings a broad range of experience and expertise, and institutional resources, to bear on problems associated with Superfund chemicals that are critical to the Midwest and the nation.
The University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP) will provide new knowledge on the toxic effects and mechanisms of toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a large family of environmental pollutants that cause adverse human health effects, including cancer. The data produced will be essential for risk assessment, development of strategies to prevent or ameliorate toxicity, and for the management of these toxicants in human environments. These findings will aid federal, state, and local agencies, e.g. EPA and ATSDR, with needed information to determine safe levels, and courses of action to control these environmental pollutants and to protect human health.
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