Letter/Communication
Toward Identifying the Next Generation of Superfund and Hazardous Waste Site Contaminants
Environmental health perspectives : EHP, Vol.119(1), pp.6-10
01/01/2011
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002497
PMCID: PMC3018501
PMID: 21205582
Abstract
Background
This commentary evolved from a workshop sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences titled “Superfund Contaminants: The Next Generation” held in Tucson, Arizona, in August 2009. All the authors were workshop participants.
Objectives
Our aim was to initiate a dynamic, adaptable process for identifying contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that are likely to be found in future hazardous waste sites, and to identify the gaps in primary research that cause uncertainty in determining future hazardous waste site contaminants.
Discussion
Superfund-relevant CECs can be characterized by specific attributes: They are persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic, occur in large quantities, and have localized accumulation with a likelihood of exposure. Although still under development and incompletely applied, methods to quantify these attributes can assist in winnowing down the list of candidates from the universe of potential CECs. Unfortunately, significant research gaps exist in detection and quantification, environmental fate and transport, health and risk assessment, and site exploration and remediation for CECs. Addressing these gaps is prerequisite to a preventive approach to generating and managing hazardous waste sites.
Conclusions
A need exists for a carefully considered and orchestrated expansion of programmatic and research efforts to identify, evaluate, and manage CECs of hazardous waste site relevance, including developing an evolving list of priority CECs, intensifying the identification and monitoring of likely sites of present or future accumulation of CECs, and implementing efforts that focus on a holistic approach to prevention.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Toward Identifying the Next Generation of Superfund and Hazardous Waste Site Contaminants
- Creators
- Wendell P. Ela - University of ArizonaDavid L. Sedlak - University of California - BerkeleyMorton A. Barlaz - North Carolina State University at RaleighHeather F. Henry - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesDerek C.G. Muir - Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Environment CanadaDeborah L. Swackhamer - University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesEric J. Weber - U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyRobert G. Arnold - University of ArizonaP. Lee Ferguson - Duke UniversityJennifer A. Field - Oregon State UniversityEdward T. Furlong - U.S. Geological SurveyJohn P. Giesy - University of SaskatchewanRolf U. Halden - Arizona State UniversityTala Henry - U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyRonald A. Hites - Indiana University - BloomingtonKeri C. Hornbuckle - University of IowaPhilip H. Howard - Syracuse Research CorporationRichard G. Luthy - Stanford UniversityAnita K. Meyer - U.S. Army Corps of EngineersA. Eduardo Sáez - University of ArizonaFrederick S. vom Saal - University of MissouriChris D. Vulpe - University of California - BerkeleyMark R. Wiesner - Duke University
- Resource Type
- Letter/Communication
- Publication Details
- Environmental health perspectives : EHP, Vol.119(1), pp.6-10
- DOI
- 10.1289/ehp.1002497
- PMID
- 21205582
- PMCID
- PMC3018501
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Health Perspect
- ISSN
- 0091-6765
- eISSN
- 1552-9924
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9983557181002771
Metrics
73 Record Views