Superfund Research Program
Airborne PCBs: Sources, Exposures, Toxicities, Remediation
Center Director: Keri C. Hornbuckle
Grant Number: P42ES013661
Funding Period: 2006-2025
Program Links
News Items List
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Extramural Paper of the Month: Bacteria and Material Made from Corn Kernels Can Clean Up PCBs in Aquatic Environments
Paper of the Month - May 2024
Researchers at the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center used biochar, a carbon rich byproduct of burning plant matter, and bacteria to clean up polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in aquatic environments.
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SRP Centers Partner to Address PCB Concerns
SRP News Page - May 2024
NIEHS-funded researchers at the University of Iowa and the North Carolina State University (NC State) Superfund Research Program (SRP) centers partnered to address community concerns about polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) discovered in an NC State building. During an online forum on February 24, 2024, the team answered questions from the NC State community about the health effects of PCBs.
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University of Iowa: Biochar-Enhanced Bacteria
Technology Profile - March 2024
Researchers at the University of Iowa are investigating how biochar, the carbon-rich byproduct of burning plant matter, can enhance the performance of a type of bacteria - called organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) - commonly used to break down halogenated pollutants.
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New Workflow Improves Data Management and Sharing
SRP News Page - December 2023
A team of scientists funded by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) published a new workflow to help researchers across disciplines share environmental health data more effectively. The workflow provides a standardized framework for collecting, organizing, and distributing scientific data so that it can be more easily understood and used by other groups.
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Extramural Paper of the Month: Emissions from indoor flooring reflect airborne PCB levels
Environmental Factor - November 2023
Chemical emissions from flooring can predict polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in room air, according to NIEHS-supported research. The findings could inform targeted remediation strategies for indoor spaces.
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University of New Mexico & University of Iowa: Electrospun Polymers for Uranium Detection
Technology Profile - September 2023
Researchers at the University of New Mexico and University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) centers created an improved electrospun nanofiber technology to detect uranium in contaminated water.
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SRP Highlighted at SOT
SRP News Page - April 2023
NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded scientists from across the country gathered in person for the 2023 Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting to share their research and exchange ideas. Held March 19 - 23 in Nashville, Tennessee, the 62nd SOT meeting and ToxExpo drew more than 5,000 attendees who gave more than 2,000 presentations and participated in more than 70 sessions.
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Exposure to PCB Mixture Mimicking School Air Linked to Range of Health Effects
Paper of the Month - April 2022
Long-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures in school air may affect the nervous and immune systems, according to an NIEHS-funded study in rats. According to the authors, results indicate that this exposure level, 45.5 micrograms per cubic meter, may be close to the lowest dose in which airborne PCB exposure induces adverse health effects.
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Extramural Paper of the Month: Exposure to PCB Mixture Mimicking School Air Linked to Range of Health Effects
Paper of the Month - April 2022
Long-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures in school air may affect the nervous and immune systems, according to an SRP-funded study in rats.
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Extramural Paper of the Month: Leveraging Unused Samples to Predict Metal Exposures
Paper of the Month - March 2022
University of Iowa SRP Center researchers demonstrated a robust approach for predicting exposure to arsenic and manganese using a commonly stored but often unused biological sample. As an alternative to using whole blood, their method used only the clotted erythrocyte fraction to track metal exposures.
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Leveraging Unused Samples to Predict Metal Exposures
Paper of the Month - March 2022
NIEHS-funded researchers at the University of Iowa SRP Center demonstrated a robust approach for predicting exposure to arsenic and manganese using a commonly stored but often unused biological sample. As an alternative to using whole blood, their method used only the clotted erythrocyte fraction to track metal exposures.
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Exposure to Airborne PCBs an Ongoing Challenge, Expert Says
Environmental Factor - March 2022
Approaches for studying airborne exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, and helping communities reduce such exposure, were discussed by University of Iowa Superfund Research Program Director Keri Hornbuckle, Ph.D., during her February 4 Keystone Science Lecture.
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Health Policy Changes in Germany Informed by Trainee Research
Environmental Factor - November 2021
Germany now requires stricter controls for manufacturers using a chemical called 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide after polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were discovered in fumes from a sealant used on kitchen cabinets. This connection was reported by the University of Iowa SRP Center. Exposure to PCBs has been linked to a range of health problems, including metabolic and neurological diseases and cancer.
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Trainees Get Creative During the Pandemic
SRP News Page - July 2021
When in-person events, classes, and research activities were put on hold due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded trainees got creative and identified unique opportunities to pursue safely during the pandemic. With support from their mentors, SRP trainees gained experience across multiple scientific fields, conducted research in a collaborative environment, and engaged with diverse stakeholders and community members.
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New Approach Links Cell Studies to Human Health
SRP News Page - September 2020
A new NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded study demonstrated a strategy using data from cell studies to characterize how exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may harm human health, particularly the cardiovascular system. PCBs are a large and complex group of chemicals that often occur in mixtures and can contaminate soil, groundwater, and air.
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Study Sheds Light on Breakdown of PCBs to Potentially Harmful Metabolites in Humans
Research Brief - May 2019
New research out of the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center identified specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and underlying mechanisms involved in the breakdown, or metabolism, of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into compounds that may be more toxic.
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Passive Samplers Tackle PCB Flux
Research Brief - March 2019
Researchers from the University of Iowa Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center have developed a method to measure the movement, or flux, of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from water to air using passive sampling devices.
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Kitchen cabinets emit potentially harmful PCBs
Paper of the Month - June 2018
NIEHS grantees discovered that finished cabinetry is a predominant and previously unknown source of airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in residential homes.