Iowa Superfund Research Program Overall The Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP) is a center of research excellence focused on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs were widely produced in the mid-20th century and used in thousands of products, from common household items to construction materials, until the chemicals were banned 40 years ago. Today, people are still exposed to PCBs indoors and in communities surrounding Superfund sites. Recent ISRP research demonstrated that airborne PCBs present an especially urgent problem: Inhalation of airborne PCBs may be the most significant route for human exposure to these important toxic chemicals. The ISRP?s long- term goal is to develop recommendations to prevent and/or limit human exposure to airborne PCBs and to improve the health and well-being of the population. The ISRP renewal will focus on PCBs in air, particularly in buildings (especially schools) and those emitted from contaminated waters (including Superfund sites). We will examine the health impacts of inhaled PCBs, particularly on adolescents, with a focus on neurodevelopmental and metabolic effects. The ISRP will accomplish its long-term goal through the following integrated Specific Aims: 1) Clarify the biochemical mechanisms of toxicity of lower-chlorinated PCBs in adolescence. Two projects will address how PCBs and their metabolites are risk factors for altered neurodevelopment during adolescence and the mechanisms by which these compounds interfere with lipid metabolism. 2) Define susceptible populations, assess exposure and accumulation of these compounds (particularly in schools), and evaluate the relative importance of airborne vs. dietary exposure. Three cohorts of mothers and adolescents will help us evaluate individuals? exposure to airborne PCBs, the specific environments that contribute to inhalation exposure, and its importance compared to exposure through diet. 3) Reduce emissions of airborne PCBs from building materials, products, and contaminated sediments. We will investigate sources of airborne PCBs in indoor environments, determine the magnitude of emissions from contaminated waters, and identify cost-effective strategies to remove or reduce emissions. This includes development of a new approach using novel materials to sequester lower chlorinated PCBs in sediments and break down PCBs through microbial processes to reduce PCB emissions from contaminated waters. 4) Train and attract new scientists to the environmental health sciences. Our training program will enhance research skills in data science, chemical analysis, community engagement, and research translation. 5) Engage the scientific community and stakeholders in bi-directional communication on ISRP research priorities, findings, and recommendations. We will communicate the ISRP?s research approaches and findings to a wide range of researchers, agencies, and community stakeholders to maximize impact and enable communities to make timely, informed decisions to reduce local PCB exposure.

Public Health Relevance

Iowa Superfund Research Program Overall The Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP) will expand our understanding of the sources, avenues of exposure, toxic effects, and remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a large family of environmental pollutants that cause neurodevelopmental impairment, metabolic syndrome, and cancer in humans. ISRP research will focus on airborne PCBs, in buildings (especially schools) and emitted from contaminated waters (often near Superfund sites), and the potential health impacts of inhaled PCBs, particularly in adolescents. ISRP research will produce important data and innovative tools to support the development of effective detection, risk assessment, management, and remediation strategies for federal, state, and community stakeholders impacted by these contaminants and concerned with protecting human health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Hazardous Substances Basic Research Grants Program (NIEHS) (P42)
Project #
5P42ES013661-16
Application #
10135964
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1)
Program Officer
Henry, Heather F
Project Start
2006-05-12
Project End
2025-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
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Robertson, Larry W; Weber, Roland; Nakano, Takeshi et al. (2018) PCBs risk evaluation, environmental protection, and management: 50-year research and counting for elimination by 2028. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 25:16269-16276
Klaren, William D; Vine, David; Vogt, Stefan et al. (2018) Spatial distribution of metals within the liver acinus and their perturbation by PCB126. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 25:16427-16433
Tomsho, Kathryn S; Basra, Komal; Rubin, Staci M et al. (2018) Correction to: Community reporting of ambient air polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations near a Superfund site. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 25:16401
Uwimana, Eric; Li, Xueshu; Lehmler, Hans-Joachim (2018) Human Liver Microsomes Atropselectively Metabolize 2,2',3,4',6-Pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 91) to a 1,2-Shift Product as the Major Metabolite. Environ Sci Technol 52:6000-6008
Herkert, Nicholas J; Hornbuckle, Keri C (2018) Effects of room airflow on accurate determination of PUF-PAS sampling rates in the indoor environment. Environ Sci Process Impacts 20:757-766
Herkert, Nicholas J; Spak, Scott N; Smith, Austen et al. (2018) Calibration and evaluation of PUF-PAS sampling rates across the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network. Environ Sci Process Impacts 20:210-219
Dhakal, Kiran; Gadupudi, Gopi S; Lehmler, Hans-Joachim et al. (2018) Sources and toxicities of phenolic polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 25:16277-16290
Enayah, Sabah H; Vanle, Brigitte C; Fuortes, Laurence J et al. (2018) PCB95 and PCB153 change dopamine levels and turn-over in PC12 cells. Toxicology 394:93-101
Klinefelter, Kelsey; Hooven, Molly Kromme; Bates, Chloe et al. (2018) Genetic differences in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and CYP1A2 affect sensitivity to developmental polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in mice: relevance to studies of human neurological disorders. Mamm Genome 29:112-127

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