EPA announces final rule to slash toxic emissions of ethylene oxide and reduce cancer risk
WASHINGTON – Today, March 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a rule that will reduce lifetime cancer risks for people living near commercial sterilization facilities across the country. The final amendments to the air toxics standards for ethylene oxide commercial sterilization facilities put in place the strongest measures in U.S. history to reduce emissions of EtO, one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals. Through the installation of proven and achievable air pollution controls, commercial sterilizers will reduce emissions by more than 90%.
This final rule advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Cancer Moonshot, while also advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice by protecting communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals. EtO can be particularly harmful to children and communities that are already overburdened by pollution.
In finalizing this rule, EPA considered the latest data and science, while taking into account the importance of a safe and reliable supply of medical sterilization devices for patients and hospitals. EPA worked closely with partners across the Biden-Harris Administration, including at the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop a final rule that centers on public health. This final rule provides sufficient time and flexibility for facilities to come into compliance, simultaneously affording strong public health protection for nearby communities while minimizing any potential impacts to the medical device supply chain.
“This final rule to sharply cut toxic emissions of ethylene oxide responds to the ambition set forth by President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We have followed the science and listened to communities to fulfill our responsibility to safeguard public health from this pollution – including the health of children, who are particularly vulnerable to carcinogens early in life. We’ve arrived at a historically strong rule that will protect the most exposed communities from toxic air pollution while also ensuring that there will be a process that safeguards our nation’s critical supply of sterilized medical equipment.”
“For years, I have called for environmental justice, urging protections for workers and fenceline communities from the dangers of EtO pollution,” said Xavier Becerra, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to work together with EPA to achieve our shared goals of lowering EtO exposure while also mitigating potential risks of medical device shortages.”
In developing the final rule, EPA conducted extensive outreach to communities and stakeholders to ensure meaningful and extensive participation during the public comment period. EPA conducted public hearings, national webinars, and public meetings hosted by regional EPA offices. The considerable feedback received from the three days of public hearings, as well as the more than 40,000 comments submitted to the rulemaking docket, both informed the final rule and demonstrated the strong need to issue these vital health protections. Based on this input, EPA improved the risk assessment and strengthened the standards to ensure risk reductions for surrounding communities.
“I commend the EPA for finalizing regulations in a way that will reduce EtO emissions by more than 90% at facilities across the country,” said U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10). “I appreciate that the EPA followed the science to keep Americans safe while also ensuring safe, reliable supply chains for hospitals, physicians and patients. I have long fought for sensible regulations to address EtO air emissions and assist impacted communities. Today's regulations will rightly require continuous air monitoring to assure communities that the air they breathe is safe, as well as provide an on-ramp for facilities to comply so that we do not have to choose between safe air and a stable supply of medical products. I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for air monitoring in communities where sterilization facilities are present, and I will always fight to prevent harmful toxins from entering our air.”
The final rule will address emissions at nearly 90 commercial sterilization facilities that are owned and operated by approximately 50 companies. Based on extensive input and review, EPA is finalizing the following amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants that:
Establish standards for currently unregulated emissions, such as building leaks (“room air emissions”) and chamber exhaust vents, to reduce cancer risk and account for technological developments in pollution control.
Strengthen standards that are on the books for sources such as sterilization chamber vents and aeration room vents.
Require continuous emissions monitoring and quarterly reporting for most commercial sterilizers that will provide communities, states, Tribes, and local governments, and EPA with data to ensure EtO emissions are not entering the outdoor air.
Ensure that sterilizers are subject to emission standards during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction so there is continuous clean air protection.
Other clarifying items including electronic reporting and technical revisions.
The Biden-Harris Administration believes securing our supply of medical devices is essential. To prevent unintended consequences and ensure orderly implementation, the Clean Air Act has long provided backstop authority allowing the President to provide a two-year compliance exemption to assist a facility with achieving compliance with National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in carefully delimited special circumstances — if the technology to implement the standard is not available and it is in the national security interest to provide additional time to comply. EPA has confirmed that the President is prepared to exercise this authority, if necessary to protect the medical supply chain and a commercial sterilizer is working in good faith to come into compliance with the rule.
This final rule for commercial sterilizers is one of a series of coordinated actions that EPA is taking to reduce exposure to EtO. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is also working on a comprehensive set of new mitigation measures for EtO to reduce exposure for workers who use EtO to sterilize products. EPA has been working to support alignment of today’s Clean Air Act rule with the action being taken under FIFRA.
EPA is also working to strengthen standards to reduce EtO and other toxic pollutants from chemical plants. Other actions to address EtO emissions and advance EtO research include:
Investigating additional sources of EtO (e.g., stand-alone warehouses) and opportunities for emissions controls.
Enforcing existing regulations as appropriate.
Conducting research to better understand and measure EtO.
For more information, visit EPA’s Final Amendments to Strengthen Air Toxics Standards for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilizers webpage.
This final rule advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Cancer Moonshot, while also advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice by protecting communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals. EtO can be particularly harmful to children and communities that are already overburdened by pollution.
In finalizing this rule, EPA considered the latest data and science, while taking into account the importance of a safe and reliable supply of medical sterilization devices for patients and hospitals. EPA worked closely with partners across the Biden-Harris Administration, including at the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop a final rule that centers on public health. This final rule provides sufficient time and flexibility for facilities to come into compliance, simultaneously affording strong public health protection for nearby communities while minimizing any potential impacts to the medical device supply chain.
“This final rule to sharply cut toxic emissions of ethylene oxide responds to the ambition set forth by President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We have followed the science and listened to communities to fulfill our responsibility to safeguard public health from this pollution – including the health of children, who are particularly vulnerable to carcinogens early in life. We’ve arrived at a historically strong rule that will protect the most exposed communities from toxic air pollution while also ensuring that there will be a process that safeguards our nation’s critical supply of sterilized medical equipment.”
“For years, I have called for environmental justice, urging protections for workers and fenceline communities from the dangers of EtO pollution,” said Xavier Becerra, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to work together with EPA to achieve our shared goals of lowering EtO exposure while also mitigating potential risks of medical device shortages.”
In developing the final rule, EPA conducted extensive outreach to communities and stakeholders to ensure meaningful and extensive participation during the public comment period. EPA conducted public hearings, national webinars, and public meetings hosted by regional EPA offices. The considerable feedback received from the three days of public hearings, as well as the more than 40,000 comments submitted to the rulemaking docket, both informed the final rule and demonstrated the strong need to issue these vital health protections. Based on this input, EPA improved the risk assessment and strengthened the standards to ensure risk reductions for surrounding communities.
“I commend the EPA for finalizing regulations in a way that will reduce EtO emissions by more than 90% at facilities across the country,” said U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10). “I appreciate that the EPA followed the science to keep Americans safe while also ensuring safe, reliable supply chains for hospitals, physicians and patients. I have long fought for sensible regulations to address EtO air emissions and assist impacted communities. Today's regulations will rightly require continuous air monitoring to assure communities that the air they breathe is safe, as well as provide an on-ramp for facilities to comply so that we do not have to choose between safe air and a stable supply of medical products. I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for air monitoring in communities where sterilization facilities are present, and I will always fight to prevent harmful toxins from entering our air.”
The final rule will address emissions at nearly 90 commercial sterilization facilities that are owned and operated by approximately 50 companies. Based on extensive input and review, EPA is finalizing the following amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants that:
Establish standards for currently unregulated emissions, such as building leaks (“room air emissions”) and chamber exhaust vents, to reduce cancer risk and account for technological developments in pollution control.
Strengthen standards that are on the books for sources such as sterilization chamber vents and aeration room vents.
Require continuous emissions monitoring and quarterly reporting for most commercial sterilizers that will provide communities, states, Tribes, and local governments, and EPA with data to ensure EtO emissions are not entering the outdoor air.
Ensure that sterilizers are subject to emission standards during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction so there is continuous clean air protection.
Other clarifying items including electronic reporting and technical revisions.
The Biden-Harris Administration believes securing our supply of medical devices is essential. To prevent unintended consequences and ensure orderly implementation, the Clean Air Act has long provided backstop authority allowing the President to provide a two-year compliance exemption to assist a facility with achieving compliance with National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in carefully delimited special circumstances — if the technology to implement the standard is not available and it is in the national security interest to provide additional time to comply. EPA has confirmed that the President is prepared to exercise this authority, if necessary to protect the medical supply chain and a commercial sterilizer is working in good faith to come into compliance with the rule.
This final rule for commercial sterilizers is one of a series of coordinated actions that EPA is taking to reduce exposure to EtO. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is also working on a comprehensive set of new mitigation measures for EtO to reduce exposure for workers who use EtO to sterilize products. EPA has been working to support alignment of today’s Clean Air Act rule with the action being taken under FIFRA.
EPA is also working to strengthen standards to reduce EtO and other toxic pollutants from chemical plants. Other actions to address EtO emissions and advance EtO research include:
Investigating additional sources of EtO (e.g., stand-alone warehouses) and opportunities for emissions controls.
Enforcing existing regulations as appropriate.
Conducting research to better understand and measure EtO.
For more information, visit EPA’s Final Amendments to Strengthen Air Toxics Standards for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilizers webpage.
La EPA finaliza el plan de limpieza para el Lugar Superfondo Battery Recycling Company en Arecibo, Puerto Rico
NUEVA YORK - La Agencia Federal de Protección Ambiental (EPA) finalizó su plan de limpieza para remediar el suelo contaminado con arsénico y plomo, y los compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOCs) en las aguas subterráneas en el Lugar Superfondo Battery Recycling Company en Arecibo, Puerto Rico. El plan final, conocido como Récord de Decisión (ROD), explica la intención de la EPA de atender la contaminación del suelo y del agua subterránea que quedan dentro y fuera de la propiedad del lugar.
“La EPA ya ha tomado medidas significativas para abordar los riesgos más urgentes presentes en este lugar, y ahora estamos avanzando con una solución a largo plazo para remediar la contaminación restante y prevenir una mayor exposición”, explicó la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “Agradecemos la participación y los comentarios del público sobre nuestro plan de limpieza, que nos ayudó a escoger la mejor alternativa para el Lugar”.
La EPA eliminará el suelo contaminado de las áreas dentro y fuera del Lugar y lo tratará para que pueda almacenarse de manera segura y restringida en la antigua instalación. La EPA también monitoreará las aguas subterráneas y presentará restricciones de uso de los terrenos en los registros de propiedad para prevenir el uso de aguas subterráneas hasta que se pueda seleccionar un remedio más permanente. Además, la EPA se establecerá controles institucionales para que el uso futuro de los terrenos no conflija con los objetivos de limpieza a largo plazo.
El Lugar operaba como una instalación de fundición secundaria de plomo y centro de reciclaje de baterías desde, aproximadamente, 1994 hasta 2014. Antes de operar como una instalación de fundición secundaria de plomo, el Lugar se utilizaba para fabricar productos químicos orgánicos destinados a elaborar ácido fumárico y ácido ftálico. Estas actividades dejaron altos niveles de plomo, VOCs y otros contaminantes en el suelo y las aguas subterráneas.
La EPA agregó el Lugar a la Lista Nacional de Prioridades de Superfondo en 2017 y condujo eliminación temprana de una cantidad significativa de la contaminación de plomo en el Lugar, la cual terminó en 2022. La EPA llevó a cabo una reunión pública el 29 de agosto de 2023 para explicar a la comunidad el plan propuesto y recibir comentarios.
Para leer el ROD y ver las respuestas de la EPA a los comentarios públicos, visite la página del perfil del Lugar Superfondo de Battery Recycling Company.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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“La EPA ya ha tomado medidas significativas para abordar los riesgos más urgentes presentes en este lugar, y ahora estamos avanzando con una solución a largo plazo para remediar la contaminación restante y prevenir una mayor exposición”, explicó la administradora regional Lisa F. García. “Agradecemos la participación y los comentarios del público sobre nuestro plan de limpieza, que nos ayudó a escoger la mejor alternativa para el Lugar”.
La EPA eliminará el suelo contaminado de las áreas dentro y fuera del Lugar y lo tratará para que pueda almacenarse de manera segura y restringida en la antigua instalación. La EPA también monitoreará las aguas subterráneas y presentará restricciones de uso de los terrenos en los registros de propiedad para prevenir el uso de aguas subterráneas hasta que se pueda seleccionar un remedio más permanente. Además, la EPA se establecerá controles institucionales para que el uso futuro de los terrenos no conflija con los objetivos de limpieza a largo plazo.
El Lugar operaba como una instalación de fundición secundaria de plomo y centro de reciclaje de baterías desde, aproximadamente, 1994 hasta 2014. Antes de operar como una instalación de fundición secundaria de plomo, el Lugar se utilizaba para fabricar productos químicos orgánicos destinados a elaborar ácido fumárico y ácido ftálico. Estas actividades dejaron altos niveles de plomo, VOCs y otros contaminantes en el suelo y las aguas subterráneas.
La EPA agregó el Lugar a la Lista Nacional de Prioridades de Superfondo en 2017 y condujo eliminación temprana de una cantidad significativa de la contaminación de plomo en el Lugar, la cual terminó en 2022. La EPA llevó a cabo una reunión pública el 29 de agosto de 2023 para explicar a la comunidad el plan propuesto y recibir comentarios.
Para leer el ROD y ver las respuestas de la EPA a los comentarios públicos, visite la página del perfil del Lugar Superfondo de Battery Recycling Company.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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EPA awards nearly $1.2M to student teams for innovative solutions to environmental and public health challenges
Today, March 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $1.2 million, in funding to 16 college student teams to research and develop innovative solutions that address environmental and public health challenges as part of the Agency’s People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program.
EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges. The 16 recipients announced today will receive grants of up to $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
Teams from the following institutions are receiving funding via EPA’s 20th Annual P3 awards:
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, for Biochar-Enabled Platform for Enhanced Destruction and Defluorination of Short-Chain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Water
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, New York, for Developing Reusable and Antiviral Face Masks from Plastic Waste
Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado., for Open-Source Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) System for the Rapid and Accurate Detection of Bacteria from Environmental Water Samples
Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, for Navigating the Food-Energy-Water Nexus through the Conversion of Food Waste to Biocrude
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, for Two-dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2)-Based Field Effect Transistor Sensors for Airborne PFAS Detection
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, for Zirconium-modified Mica Coupled with Nanobubbles for Enhanced Phosphorus Removal, Recovery, and Reuse
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, for Production of Lithium Carbonate from Geothermal Brine by Selective Extraction of Lithium Using a Novel Ion Sieve Method
Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, for Biodiesel Production from Ethanol and Glycerol: a Living Laboratory for STEM Students
The State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York, for Sensor on Wheels (SOW): A Field-Deployable Environmental Pathogen Detection Tool
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, for Solar-driven Photodegradation of Microcystin Using a Novel Gold-decorated Nickel Metalorganic Framework (Au/Ni-MOF)
University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, for 100% Compostable Packaging Film
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, for Enhancement of PFAS-Contaminated Organic Wastes Treatment in Anaerobic Digestion by Carbon Materials
University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, for Understanding and Predicting Disparities in Organic Contaminant Levels in Blood among the U.S. Population
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, for Cellulose-Metal Organic Frameworks Hybrid Adsorbent for PFAS Removal from Water
Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, for Developing Geopolymer Cement using Sewage Sludge Ash as Precursors
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, for 3D-Printed Floating Photocatalyst Structures that Mimic Natural Objects to Combat Harmful Algal Blooms
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges. The 16 recipients announced today will receive grants of up to $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
Teams from the following institutions are receiving funding via EPA’s 20th Annual P3 awards:
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, for Biochar-Enabled Platform for Enhanced Destruction and Defluorination of Short-Chain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Water
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, New York, for Developing Reusable and Antiviral Face Masks from Plastic Waste
Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado., for Open-Source Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) System for the Rapid and Accurate Detection of Bacteria from Environmental Water Samples
Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, for Navigating the Food-Energy-Water Nexus through the Conversion of Food Waste to Biocrude
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, for Two-dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2)-Based Field Effect Transistor Sensors for Airborne PFAS Detection
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, for Zirconium-modified Mica Coupled with Nanobubbles for Enhanced Phosphorus Removal, Recovery, and Reuse
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, for Production of Lithium Carbonate from Geothermal Brine by Selective Extraction of Lithium Using a Novel Ion Sieve Method
Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, for Biodiesel Production from Ethanol and Glycerol: a Living Laboratory for STEM Students
The State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York, for Sensor on Wheels (SOW): A Field-Deployable Environmental Pathogen Detection Tool
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, for Solar-driven Photodegradation of Microcystin Using a Novel Gold-decorated Nickel Metalorganic Framework (Au/Ni-MOF)
University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, for 100% Compostable Packaging Film
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, for Enhancement of PFAS-Contaminated Organic Wastes Treatment in Anaerobic Digestion by Carbon Materials
University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, for Understanding and Predicting Disparities in Organic Contaminant Levels in Blood among the U.S. Population
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, for Cellulose-Metal Organic Frameworks Hybrid Adsorbent for PFAS Removal from Water
Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, for Developing Geopolymer Cement using Sewage Sludge Ash as Precursors
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, for 3D-Printed Floating Photocatalyst Structures that Mimic Natural Objects to Combat Harmful Algal Blooms
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
EPA awards $75,000 to University of Central Florida’s student team for innovative solutions to environmental public health challenges
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 14, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $75,000 in funding to University of Central Florida’s student team to research and develop innovative solutions that address environmental and public health challenges as part of the Agency’s People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program. EPA awarded nearly 1.2 million total to Student Teams for Innovative Solutions to Environmental and Public Health Challenges across the United States.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
University of Central Florida will receive $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Solar-driven Photodegradation of MC-LR Using a Novel Au-decorated Ni Metalorganic Framework (Au/Ni-MOF).” This P3 project will develop a novel, cost-effective solution to harmful algal blooms (HABs). The technology—a gold (Au)-decorated nickel metal organic framework (Ni-MOF)—will act as a photocatalyst to degrade microcystin (MC-LR). The application will design and fabricate the catalyst, characterize and evaluate optimal conditions, and evaluate the environmental practice for MC-LR removal. The benefit of the project is the rapid removal of HAB toxins, which can reduce human health impacts and restore impaired waterbodies. In addition, the proposed technology is low-cost, simple, and easy-to-use.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
University of Central Florida will receive $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Solar-driven Photodegradation of MC-LR Using a Novel Au-decorated Ni Metalorganic Framework (Au/Ni-MOF).” This P3 project will develop a novel, cost-effective solution to harmful algal blooms (HABs). The technology—a gold (Au)-decorated nickel metal organic framework (Ni-MOF)—will act as a photocatalyst to degrade microcystin (MC-LR). The application will design and fabricate the catalyst, characterize and evaluate optimal conditions, and evaluate the environmental practice for MC-LR removal. The benefit of the project is the rapid removal of HAB toxins, which can reduce human health impacts and restore impaired waterbodies. In addition, the proposed technology is low-cost, simple, and easy-to-use.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
EPA awards $75,000 to Auburn University’s student team for innovative solutions to environmental public health challenges
AUBURN, Ala. (March 14, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $75,000 in funding to Auburn University’s student team to research and develop innovative solutions that address environmental and public health challenges as part of the Agency’s People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program. EPA awarded nearly 1.2 million total to Student Teams for Innovative Solutions to Environmental and Public Health Challenges across the United States.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
Auburn University will receive $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Biochar-Enabled Platform for Enhanced Destruction and Defluorination of Short-Chain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Water.” This P3 project will develop a treatment technology based on biochar produced from agricultural wastes to preconcentrate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water and destruction of the PFAS contaminants via hydrated electrons generated by ultraviolet radiation during advanced reduction process. The objective is to achieve 80% degradation efficiency and 50% defluorination efficiency of different PFAS compounds in complex water matrices. The project will include hands-on research for the lab-scale demonstration, educational curriculum development, and community outreach in the underserved, minority communities of the Black Belt region of Alabama.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
Auburn University will receive $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Biochar-Enabled Platform for Enhanced Destruction and Defluorination of Short-Chain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Water.” This P3 project will develop a treatment technology based on biochar produced from agricultural wastes to preconcentrate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water and destruction of the PFAS contaminants via hydrated electrons generated by ultraviolet radiation during advanced reduction process. The objective is to achieve 80% degradation efficiency and 50% defluorination efficiency of different PFAS compounds in complex water matrices. The project will include hands-on research for the lab-scale demonstration, educational curriculum development, and community outreach in the underserved, minority communities of the Black Belt region of Alabama.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
EPA awards nearly $75,000 to Mercer University’s student team for innovative solutions to environmental public health challenges
MACON, Ga. (March 14, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded nearly $75,000 in funding to Mercer University’s student team to research and develop innovative solutions that address environmental and public health challenges as part of the Agency’s People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program. EPA awarded nearly 1.2 million total to Student Teams for Innovative Solutions to Environmental and Public Health Challenges across the United States.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
Mercer University will receive $74,999 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Navigating the Food-Energy-Water Nexus through the Conversion of Food Waste to Biocrude.” This P3 project will use hydrothermal liquefaction to convert optimal food waste streams into liquid biocrude compatible with existing petroleum infrastructure. The project will characterize and optimize food waste feedstocks and their respective biofuels and perform lifecycle and cost assessment of hypothetical regional collection and conversion systems for biofuel recovery from food waste streams. The impacts of the research will increase energy supplies, decrease quantity of food waste, prevent environmental contamination, and provide community benefits.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
Mercer University will receive $74,999 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Navigating the Food-Energy-Water Nexus through the Conversion of Food Waste to Biocrude.” This P3 project will use hydrothermal liquefaction to convert optimal food waste streams into liquid biocrude compatible with existing petroleum infrastructure. The project will characterize and optimize food waste feedstocks and their respective biofuels and perform lifecycle and cost assessment of hypothetical regional collection and conversion systems for biofuel recovery from food waste streams. The impacts of the research will increase energy supplies, decrease quantity of food waste, prevent environmental contamination, and provide community benefits.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
EPA awards $75,000 to Queens University of Charlotte student team for innovative solutions to environmental public health challenges
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 14, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $75,000 in funding to Queens University of Charlotte student team to research and develop innovative solutions that address environmental and public health challenges as part of the Agency’s People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program. EPA awarded nearly 1.2 million total to Student Teams for Innovative Solutions to Environmental and Public Health Challenges across the United States.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
Queens University of Charlotte will receive $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Biodiesel Production from Ethanol and Glycerol: A Living Laboratory for STEM Students.” This P3 project will design and construct a biodiesel reactor to convert used cooking oil to biodiesel used for on-campus equipment. To avoid reliance on methanol for transesterification reaction that is commonly used in conventional small-scale reactors, the plan uses a potassium glyceroxide catalyst to produce biodiesel ethyl esters. The results will increase use of renewable biodiesel on-campus and reduce waste of used cooking oil.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
“EPA is pleased to mark the 20th anniversary of our P3 program by announcing this impressive round of projects that are tackling critical issues such as removing PFAS from water, combating harmful algal blooms, and materials recovery and reuse,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “I commend these hardworking and creative students and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative projects that are addressing some of our thorniest sustainability and environmental challenges.”
“Congratulations to this year’s student teams. This unique program recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment in the Southeast area,” said Acting 4 Administrator, Jeaneanne Gettle.
Queens University of Charlotte will receive $75,000 to fund a two-year project. Students will propose innovative and sustainable ideas and concepts and carry them through the research, design and demonstration stages. During the second year of the award, student teams will have the opportunity to showcase their designs at EPA’s National Student Design Expo.
The project is called “Biodiesel Production from Ethanol and Glycerol: A Living Laboratory for STEM Students.” This P3 project will design and construct a biodiesel reactor to convert used cooking oil to biodiesel used for on-campus equipment. To avoid reliance on methanol for transesterification reaction that is commonly used in conventional small-scale reactors, the plan uses a potassium glyceroxide catalyst to produce biodiesel ethyl esters. The results will increase use of renewable biodiesel on-campus and reduce waste of used cooking oil.
EPA's P3 program features a unique competition that offers teams of college students hands-on experience to turn their creative design and engineering ideas into reality, while also helping solve real-world environmental challenges.
Learn more about this year’s recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s P3 Program.
Learn more about EPA’s National Student Design Expo Experience.
Agricultural Producers to Conserve Land through Climate-Smart Easements as part of President’s Biden’s Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest about $138 million of financial assistance from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history—in 138 new climate-smart conservation easements, through which farmers and ranchers are conserving wetlands, grasslands and prime farmlands. These selected Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.