Key facts
- Emory University received a $15 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Environmental Health.
- The grant will establish the first center dedicated to researching the health effects of toxic Superfund sites.
- The research will focus on Glynn County, Georgia, which has four Superfund sites.
- A 2023 pilot study found higher concentrations of toxicants in local residents compared to national averages.
- The new center will conduct studies on exposure, toxicology, contaminant transport, and remediation methods.
- Community engagement and educational outreach are key components of the initiative.
Emory University has received a $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Environmental Health (NIH) to establish a Superfund Research Center, dedicated to studying the health impacts of toxic waste sites. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between environmental contamination and human health outcomes, particularly in Glynn County, Georgia, which is home to four federal Superfund sites.
The five-year grant will fund comprehensive research, building upon a 2023 pilot study that identified elevated levels of specific toxicants in approximately 40% of participants compared to national averages. The new center will involve a collaboration of researchers from Emory University, the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, and Texas Tech University.
Led by Dana Barr, a professor of environmental health at Emory, the center's research will encompass five key studies. These include an expanded exposure and health study focusing on links between toxicants and metabolic diseases, a toxicology study to inform regulatory agencies, an assessment of soil and water to identify exposure pathways, a modeling study on how floods and storms transport contaminants, and an evaluation of low-impact remediation methods for marshlands and tidal creeks.
Beyond the core research, the center plans to implement community-driven initiatives. These will involve refining the accessibility of the Healthy Coastal Neighborhoods’ Seafood Smart website, establishing a community advisory group, and providing educational opportunities for local healthcare professionals on managing patients with potential high exposures. Residents like Victoria Mackey have expressed the need for such expanded research, noting that generations may have been exposed to these chemicals without awareness.
A community meeting is scheduled for June 24 at Howard Coffin Park, where Emory scientists and Healthy Coastal Neighborhoods will provide updates on the project.