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Final Progress Reports: University of Iowa: Research Translation Core

Superfund Research Program

Research Translation Core

Project Leader: Scott N. Spak
Grant Number: P42ES013661
Funding Period: 2006-2020
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Final Progress Reports

Year:   2019  2014  2009 

The goal of the Research Translation Core (RTC) of the Iowa Superfund Research Program is to transfer technology to commercial entities, to contribute to the development of sound public policies, to contribute to the general research base and to help develop a broader public understanding of the problems and solutions regarding environmental hazards and their remediation. The Research Translation Core received a supplemental R13 conference grant for 2008-2009 to host "Environment, Health and the Future - 2009 Policy Summit" This workshop for State Legislators brought together 22 Midwest state legislators in January 2009 for a 1 ½ - day workshop in Chicago at which they learned about and discussed current research and implications for several environmental concerns. Legislators and one staff member from the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky and Missouri attended. Several program investigators from both the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois-Chicago, federal agencies (US Army Corps of Engineers, the US EPA and CDC), staff members from several NGOs and members of the public interacted with legislators and legislative staff through five formal scientific panels and three interactive sessions.

Airborne PCBs – the Program’s main focus, was one of four environmental health topics addressed at the workshop. In addition, the core looked at metals in the environment, especially mercury and lead. Since present mercury contamination results mainly from coal-fired power plants, renewable energy alternatives were also discussed. Radon presence and mitigation and contaminants inside buildings were also addressed. The RTC ensured that solid academic information on Superfund contaminants and their human health consequences were covered during the sessions. Legislators were encouraged to discuss legislative initiatives from their states on reducing the risk from the hazards addressed. The legislator workshop was an effective approach to providing research translation to state elected officials.

Further research translation activities included meetings with school officials in East Chicago, Indiana and Columbus Junction, Iowa. Meetings with school officials and a great deal of teaching to middle schools in the two communities are RTC activities but also part of community outreach and are reported on more fully in the report of the Community Outreach Core

The core continues to interact with the University of Iowa Research Foundation. The director of this University-based technology transfer organization presented in the core’s seminar series. Finally, researchers in the Program continue their substantial output of journal articles, lectures and presentations to complete the wide variety of RTC activities.

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