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TechDirect's purpose is to identify new technical, policy and guidance resources related to the assessment and remediation of contaminated soil, sediments and groundwater. Mention of non-EPA documents or presentations does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience. Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Potential Future Designations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) as CERCLA Hazardous Substances. EPA is issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) asking the public for input regarding potential future designations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This request for input and information follows EPA's September 2022 proposed Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) designating PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances. EPA is currently reviewing comments received on the proposed rule. The ANPRM is not a regulatory action. EPA is asking for public comment on the proposal for 60 days -- comments must be received on or before June 12, 2023 at at docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0922 on www.regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0922. Learn more about the proposed rulemaking at https://www.epa.gov/superfund/proposed-designation-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-perfluorooctanesulfonic-acid-pfos. NIH/NIEHS SBIR/STTR Phase I Application Preparation Assistance. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) will be accepting applications (April 25th-May 22nd) for Applicant Assistance Program (AAP) for the scientific areas of the NIEHS Small Business Program. This free, 10-week program is designed to assist small businesses in preparing a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I grant application (either new or resubmission) in time for the September 5, 2023, deadline. AAP provides participants with services such as application needs assessment, mentoring, application preparation support, and application review. Use the AAP Application Portal (opens on April 25th, 2023), to apply by May 22, 2023, 5 pm ET. Additionally, a free NIH AAP Q&A Webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 2:00-3:30PM EDT. For more information and to register, https://sbir.cancer.gov/small-business-funding/application-process/applicant-assistance. ITRC is now accepting 2024 Project Proposals! ITRC is currently accepting five-page project proposals on environmental topics for its new 2024 project teams. Selected proposals will begin January 2024. ITRC encourage submissions from all environmental and public health professionals. While all proposal topics will be considered, states have identified environmental priorities of interest such as emerging contaminants, climate considerations, and site cleanup (Brownfields) advancements amongst other topics. All project proposals are due electronically to ITRC Director Patty Reyes at preyes@ecos.org no later than 5:00 pm ET on May 31, 2023. More information about the proposal process is available on the ITRC website at https://itrcweb.org/teams/planning. ITRC Environmental Data Management (EDM) - Best Practices for Exchanging Environmental Data - May 2, 2023, 1:00PM-2:30PM EDT (17:00-18:30 GMT). The ITRC Environmental Data Management Best Practices Team (EDMBP Team) prepared a series of guidance documents and case studies on best practices for all phases of EDM to address the need for guidance on managing large stores of environmental data. Environmental data management (EDM) is a broad field that encompasses all aspects of environmental research and regulation, from habitat studies and wildlife management plans to health advisories and remediation of hazardous waste sites. The EDMBP Team developed three Roundtable training sessions to support the Guidance Document and case studies. This is the final in a 3-part series. You are welcome to register for any of the series, but they do not build upon each other. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live. SRP Progress in Research Webinar, Session II: Heavy Metals in Native American Communities, May 5, 12, 19, 2023, 12:00PM-2:00PM EDT (16:00-18:00 GMT). This Progress in Research webinar series will showcase research from 11 new and renewed Multiproject Center grantees, funded by SRP in 2022. These awards were made as part of the P42 grant solicitation RFA-ES-20-014. In the four-part series, awardees will highlight their research projects, accomplishments, and next steps. The new centers, including Wayne State University, Columbia University, and Yale University, bring fresh ideas and approaches to tackle complex problems related to hazardous substances. Session I was held in April 2023. For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live. ITRC Sustainable Resilient Remediation (SRR) - May 11, 2023, 1:00PM-3:15PM EDT (17:00-19:15 GMT). Extreme weather events and wildfires are increasing and impacting hazardous waste sites. The primary goal of cleanups, which is protecting human health and the environment, is undermined. Confronted with these risks, environmental professionals should assess, and design remedies that are sustainable and resilient. Sustainable resilient remediation (SRR) is an optimized solution to cleaning up and reusing a hazardous waste site that limits negative environmental impacts, maximizes social and economic benefits, and creates resilience against increasing threats. The objective of the ITRC Sustainable Resilient Remediation (SRR-1) is to provide resources and tools for regulators, stakeholders, consultants, and responsible parties to help integrate sustainable and resilient practices into remediation projects. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live. SRP Funding Opportunities Webinar - May 15, 2023, 12:00PM-1:30PM EDT (16:00-17:30 GMT). The Superfund Research Program (SRP) is holding a webinar to provide information about the new "Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42)" funding opportunity, RFA-ES-23-001. The new RFA was released on April 17, 2023, and the application deadline is October 2, 2023. On the webinar, NIEHS staff will provide information and answer questions about the P42 request for application (RFA) to address the broad, complex health and environmental issues that arise from the multimedia nature of hazardous waste sites. SRP Center grants support problem-based, solution-oriented research Centers that consist of multiple, integrated projects representing both the biomedical and environmental science disciplines. The Center cores are tasked with administrative, community engagement, research translation, research support, and training functions. The webinar will also focus on changes from previous solicitations. For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live. SERDP/ESTCP Webinar Assessing Ecological PFAS Exposure and Effects - May 18, 2023, 12:00PM-1:30PM EDT (16:00-17:30 GMT). This webinar will feature DoD-funded research efforts to assess ecological PFAS exposure and effects. First, Dr. David Moore (U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center) will present results from a multi-generational study of the effects of low-level PFOS exposure on zebrafish. Second, Dr. Christine Custer (USGS) will present research on the potential effects of PFAS on a model avian species. For more information and to register, see https://serdp-estcp.org/webinars. PNNL's RemPlex and IAEA Webinar Assessing Environmental Remediation Technologies: Groundwater - May 23, 2023, 11:00AM-12:30PM EDT (15:00-16:30 GMT). At any given site, selection of the most appropriate remedial alternative is driven by a variety of environmental, technical, economic, social, regulatory, and policy-driven factors. Panelists will discuss aspects of remediation technologies-such as efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, maturity and availability, complexity, plus long-term maintenance and monitoring requirements-to be considered in the selection of a given groundwater remediation approach. The seminar will cover technologies that are available to treat a broad array of contaminant categories (radionuclides, metals and organics). For more information and to register, see https://www.pnnl.gov/events/remplex-and-iaea-seminar-assessing-environmental-remediation-technologies-groundwater. Superfund Geophysics: Case Studies from Region 4 - May 24, 2023, 1:00PM-2:30PM EDT (17:00-18:30 GMT). The U.S. EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) is hosting its first in a series of region-based Geophysics talks. This session will introduce the geophysics state of play, new EPA resources, and a brief overview of some of the more commonly used geophysical tools that help us understand Superfund geology, groundwater, and contaminant pathways. Then we will get to hear two case studies from Region 4: electrical resistivity imaging in Macon, GA and combined seismic and resistivity in Roxboro, NC. This training is intended to equip OLEM and Regional staff and management with the necessary information, resources, and tools to select and manage a successful geophysics deployment at their site. For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live. ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation (VIM-1) - A Two Part Series, June 1 and 6, 2023. When certain contaminants or hazardous substances are released into the soil or groundwater, they may volatilize into soil gas. Vapor intrusion (VI) occurs when these vapors migrate up into overlying buildings and contaminate indoor air. ITRC has previously released guidance documents focused on VI, including the "Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guidance" (VI-1, 2007) and "Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation, and Management" (PVI, 2014). However, ITRC has received multiple requests for additional details and training on mitigation strategies for addressing this exposure pathway. The ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Team (VIMT) created ten fact sheets, 16 technology information sheets, and 4 checklists with the goal of assisting regulators during review of vapor intrusion mitigation systems, and helping contractors understand the essential elements of planning, design, implementation, and operation, maintenance and monitoring (OM&M) of mitigation systems. The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training is a series of eight (8) modules, presented over two sessions. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://clu-in.org/live. Superfund Research Brief Number 340 - Mimicking Molecules Made by Bacteria to Remove Metals From Water. NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP)-funded scientists developed a method to extract metals from water using synthetic molecules inspired by those produced by bacteria. The biodegradable molecules, called rhamnolipids, could one day be used to remove toxic metals or extract rare and valuable elements from aqueous mining and industrial waste. To learn more and read the research brief, please visit https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/srp/researchbriefs/view.cfm?Brief_ID=340 Technology Innovation News Survey Corner. The Technology Innovation News Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development. Recent issues, complete archives, and subscription information is available at https://www.clu-in.org/products/tins/. The following resources were included in recent issues:
Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR): Spring 2023 General Meeting. The FRTR Spring 2023 General Meeting will take place May 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. Meeting topics include recent advances in site characterization techniques and Conceptual Site Model (CSM) development and will include technical presentations with case studies highlighting how these advances are being applied to address key challenges at complex sites to improve the level of understanding of site conditions, identify and efficiently address data gaps, support remediation decisions, and accelerate site closure. Two attendance options are available - attending in-person in Washington, DC and attending virtually via Zoom. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.frtr.gov/meetings1.cfm 2023 National Brownfields Training Conference - Detroit, MI, August 8-11, 2023. The National Brownfields Training Conference is the largest event in the nation focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. Usually held every two years, the National Brownfields Conference attracts over 2,000 stakeholders in brownfields redevelopment and cleanup to share knowledge about sustainable reuse and celebrate the EPA brownfields program's success. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned professional, Brownfields 2023 offers something for you! For more information, please visit https://brownfields2023.org/ NOTE: For TechDirect, we prefer to concentrate mainly on new documents and the Internet live events. However, we do support an area on CLU-IN where announcement of conferences and courses can be regularly posted. We invite sponsors to input information on their events at https://clu-in.org/courses . Likewise, readers may visit this area for news of upcoming events that might be of interest. It allows users to search events by location, topic, time period, etc.
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