Science and Research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA Progress Report, 2012 Office of Research and Development Innovation Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow A message from Lek Kadeli health and the environment from one focused Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator on what should not be done, to one based on U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development growth and opportunity. Together with their partners, EPA researchers are part of a growing This report highlights just a small sample of the community of scientists and engineers embracing research results that the scientists and engineers an entrepreneurial spirit aimed at delivering the at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s knowledge, tools, and solutions needed to meet Office of Research and Development delivered today’s most pressing environmental challenges in in support of the American people in 2012. ways that simultaneously spark economic growth While just a snapshot, it reflects the enormous and lay the groundwork for the a new wave of positive impact of what a group of dedicated, American jobs. highly-skilled, and passionate researchers can This spirit of innovation is exemplified throughout accomplish when they work together to cultivate this report, which highlights some of the research an atmosphere of innovation and common results and impacts achieved by EPA scientists purpose in providing solutions to environmental and engineers and their partners during 2012. A health issues. few examples follow. No other environmental research organization in • Developing remote, mobile air monitoring the world offers the collective depth and breadth sensors and technologies that will improve of expertise represented by EPA’s research staff. local air quality monitoring and are From assessing the promise and potential risks of expected to help oil refineries and other emerging technologies using tiny nanoparticles industries save some $500 million over thousands of times smaller than the width of a the next ten years. (See New Technology human hair, to exploring the dynamics and far- to Improve Local Air Quality Monitoring, reaching challenges of global climate change, Reduce Costs.) EPA brings together experts from a diversity of environmental and human health fields. • Working with partners from the Department Collectively, this body of experts, together with of Health and Human Services to launch partners throughout the scientific community, the “My Air, My Health” initiative. My provide the firm, scientific foundation the Air, My Health provided the incentive to Agency needs to fulfill its mission on behalf of the inventors, software and app developers, American people: to safeguard human health and engineers to develop personal, portable and protect the environment. sensors for air quality and human health. (See Sparking Innovation for Clean Air). EPA researchers are at the forefront of a movement to advance environmental and • Testing a novel, proof-of-concept coastal human health science into the next generation. water quality monitoring system that taps Their goal is not only to support efforts to data gathered from the International Space reduce pollution and lower the risks posed by Station’s Hyperspectral Imager for Coastal environmental exposure and contamination, but Ocean (HICO) through an EPA Pathfinder to advance the science needed to achieve a Innovation Project. (See Supporting more sustainable and prosperous future. Innovation.) In doing so, they are helping to fundamentally change the business of protecting human • Advancing the science and engineering Innovation Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, continued of “green infrastructure” techniques such to Advance Chemical Testing, Reduce as rain gardens, rain barrels, and green Animal Testing). roofs that mimic natural conditions to help • Growing EPA’s widely-used Integrated Risk urban water systems develop new ways Information System (“IRIS”) Program with to reduce stormwater and remove excess a progress report to the U.S. Congress, nutrients from runoff. This work will help highlighting continued improvements such communities improve local waterways while as proactive stakeholder engagement avoiding costly upgrades and replacements and increased transparency, and to sewer systems and other “gray” the completion of several critical IRIS stormwater infrastructure. (See Tapping assessments, including dioxin (noncancer) Green Infrastructure and A Tool for Urban and tetrachloroethylene (perc). (See Stormwater Management.) Growing IRIS: Advancing EPA’s Integrated • Working with collaborators from Rutgers Risk Information System.) University and a New Jersey Department • Enhancing the nation’s ability to detect, of Environmental Protection team to respond to, and recover from a deliberate use a remote-controlled, submarine-like or accidental release of chemical, “autonomous underwater vehicle” to biological, or radiological agents through monitor water quality off the coast of New updates and improvements to tools such Jersey, helping collect important data as I-WASTE and the Wide Area Recovery while reducing costly helicopter flights. (See and Resiliency Program (see Supporting Gliding beneath the Surface.) Emergency Response and Recovery), • Developing new tools to help communities and the Selected Analytical Methods for protect the health of their residents while Environmental Remediation and Recovery. advancing a more sustainable future, such (See Read to Respond: Improving the as a sophisticated geographic information- Nation’s Emergency Preparedness). based mapping tool called the EnviroAtlas EPA’s overall research strategy unites six (see Developing the EnviroAtlas to Support complementary, highly-coordinated and Community Decisions), and an on-line Transdisciplinary research programs: Air, tool that helps illustrate the connections Climate, and Energy; Sustainable and Healthy between natural ecosystems and human Communities; Safe and Sustainable Water health. (See The Eco-Health Relationship Resources; Chemical Safety for Sustainability; Browser.) Human Health Risk Assessment; and Homeland • Combining advances in exposure science, Security Research. biology, mathematical and computer This report highlights some of the many modeling, and computer technology accomplishments EPA researchers and their to advance the EPA’s Computational partners have achieved working together across Toxicology research and advance new, these programs throughout 2012. This report is efficient, and fast high-throughput screening dedicated to their service and exemplifies the efforts. (See EPA’s Computational Toxicology innovative work they do everyday to support the Research; Chemical Evaluation Dashboards American people and advance a healthy and for Decision Makers, and ToxCast Partnership sustainable future for the nation. Page 5 Table of Contents Air, Climate, and Energy Research ............................................................................................... 6 Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Research .................................................................... 17 Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research ..................................................................... 33 Chemical Safety for Sustainability Research ............................................................................. 49 Human Health Risk Assessment Research .................................................................................. 63 Collaborating with Partners ......................................................................................................... 72 Homeland Security Research ...................................................................................................... 93 Page 6 Air, Climate, and Energy American communities face health and climate change, and energy use and production environmental challenges from air pollution and to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the growing effects of climate change, both of improving air quality and addressing global climate which are intricately linked to the choices we change. EPA research efforts in that regard support make about energy production and use. policies with far-reaching health benefits across the nation. Improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and developing strategies to help This section highlights a few of the research results communities and individuals address climate EPA researchers and their partners have achieved change are central to EPA’s mission to protect in 2012 in the areas of air, climate, and energy. human health and the environment. EPA’s Air, Climate, and Energy research program examines the interplay among air pollution, Learn More! For more information and to learn more about the scope and impact of EPA Air, Climate, and Energy research, please visit: www.epa.gov/research/airscience/. Page 7 EPA research provides new insights into how pollution affects cardiovascular health. Protecting Cardiovascular Health from Air Pollution EPA scientists and grantees are making important • EPA scientists collaborated with researchers new discoveries about the links between air from Duke University to find that people pollution and cardiovascular health, part of the exposed to a combination of particulate Agency’s commitment to protecting human matter and nitrogen dioxide may suffer health. The research is giving medical experts worse health effects than just particulate Air, Climate, and Energy new insights into how pollution affects the human matter alone. cardiovascular