A research team led by Assistant Professor and Vice Chair of Research in Environmental and Occupational Health Alison Sanders, PhD, was awarded a scaling grant from the 2023-24 Pitt Momentum Funds program to establish a research center to study hazardous chemicals across Pennsylvania Superfund sites – locations highly polluted with such materials.
Dubbed R2R (Rust to Resilience), the center includes 27 Pitt researchers from across Public Health, Engineering, Medicine, Arts and Sciences and Computing and Information. R2R investigators will focus on two major classes of chemicals that are common in more than 100 Pennsylvania Superfund sites: metals and per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS. Metals and PFAS are classes of chemicals used in consumer and industrial products that may accumulate over time in the environment, animals and people, and pose health risks. The team will characterize the prevalence, adverse health effects, and chronic disease mechanisms of metals and PFAS in populations, waterways and soil. Importantly, they will also develop strategies to mitigate these chemicals through joint efforts with community partners.
“Our center comprises members from five schools across Pitt as well as more than 14 community and policy translation partners,” says Sanders. “We’re excited to work collaboratively to enhance fundamental knowledge of chemical exposures, develop effective interventions, and promote awareness of environmental health challenges.”
Pitt Momentum scaling grants are awarded to support project planning and proof-of-concept results so teams can competitively pursue larger extramural funding.
-Clare Collins