CENTER FOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

    Project Summary    

Through a combination of laboratory- and field-scale research, this Center will address contaminants and sources that are known to be prevalent in urban environments. These include gas and particulate emissions of mercury, other toxic metals, and organic compounds from contaminated sites and hazardous waste incinerators; chromium, arsenic, nickel, zinc, and cadmium in waters and soils; and chlorinated solvents in waste site gases, soils, sediments, and ground waters. The Center’s outreach components will foster partnering with stakeholders to encourage two-way flow of information regarding urban environmental issues and decisions concerning risk assessment and management. Examples include community advisory boards, regional workshops, high school internships, an interactive multimedia CD-ROM, environmental assessment of Brownfields sites, and the maintenance of a professionally designed Web site to foster Internet sharing of activities and results.

The proposed research and outreach efforts will contribute new understanding, new approaches, and new means of information sharing for the assessment and management of the risks associated with urban environmental problems. Direct communication with individuals responsible for programs at the regional and neighborhood level will improve urban livability through better-informed decision-making at every level.