Office of Research and Development

Photo image area measures 2” H x 6.93” W and can be masked by a 

collage strip of one, two or three images.

The photo image area is located 3.19” from left and 3.81” from top of page. 

Each image used in collage should be reduced or cropped to a maximum of 

2” high, stroked with a 1.5 pt white frame and positioned edge-to-edge with 

accompanying images.

Emerging Technologies 

and Vulnerable 

Populations

NACEPT Meeting

Fred S. Hauchman, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Science Policy

January 20, 2011
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Context for Science and 

Technology in Support of EJ

• Plan EJ 2014

• EPA’s Action Development Process

– Interim Guidance for Considering EJ during the 

Development of an Action

• Strengthening Environmental Justice Research and 

Decision Making: A Symposium on the Science of 

Disproportionate Environmental Health Impacts 

(March 2010)

2
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Elements of Disproportional 

Impacts*

• Proximity

• Cumulative impacts

• Physical infrastructure

• Susceptible populations

• Unique exposure pathways

• Ability to participate in decision making

3

From March 2010 Symposium on the Science of 

Disproportionate Impacts (see also presentation 

from Heather Case, EPA/OEJ)

*
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy 4

Vulnerable 

Populations
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

New ORD Research

Portfolio

• Air/Climate/Energy (Dan Costa)

• Safer Products for a Sustainable World 

(Bob Kavlock)

• Sustainable Communities (Rick Linthurst)

• Sustainable Water (Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta)

• Human Health Risk Assessment (Becki Clark)

• Homeland Security Research (Jon Herrmann)

Aligned with the 

Administrator’s 

Priorities
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

ORD Research

• Conducted by ORD scientists

• Conducted extramurally (primarily through ORD’s National 

Center for Environmental Research)

• Promoting innovation is an ORD priority

–Established an ORD Innovation Office

–Created an internal innovation grants program (Pathfinder)

–Modify criteria in grants and cooperative agreements to 

incorporate innovation
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Technology

• Data collection technology (DCT)

–Provide data and other information for use in environmental 

decision-making

• Data management and analysis technology (DMAT)

–Ensure that environmental decisions are made using the best 

information possible

• Solutions technology (ST)

–Remove contaminants or prevent them from entering the 

environment

Desirable characteristics: Innovative, cost-effective, 

and easy to use

7
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Data Collection 

Technology

• Measurement/analytical methods (e.g., broad 

spectrum or contaminant-specific, low-cost, on-site) 

– Examples: Lead test kits, on-site monitors for 

near roadway air pollution exposures, passive 

monitors for pesticide exposure 

• Automated technology for survey data 

(questionnaires)

8
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Data Management and 

Analysis Technology

• Models for comparing exposures and risk for 

different communities

• GIS-based tools for screening communities 

for EJ concerns (e.g., SOVI)

• Methods for aggregate exposure and 

cumulative risk assessment

• Web-based frameworks for conducting 

exposure and risk assessment (c-FERST, tFERST)

• Communication technology to provide 

communities with information for decisionmaking (e.g., visualization)

9

Social Science Quarterly: 84(2) 242–261 (2003)
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Solutions Technology

• Community-based technology to reduce waste and 

pollution created during production and consumption

–Example: Biodiesel project in Ambos Nogales

• Reduce disposal of waste vegetable oil and grease

• Improve air and water quality

• Low cost, home-based pollution reduction and 

elimination technology

– Example: Combining technology and education in 

asthma interventions

• Emphasis on green technology/chemistry

10
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy

Evaluating 

Technology Needs

• Recommend the evaluation of technology needs in 

the context of: 

– What is the technology?

– Who will use it?

– How will it be used?

– What is the anticipated impact?

11
Office of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy 12

Technology – Community

Actions

What is the 

technology? Who will use it? How will it be used?

What is the 

anticipated 

impact?

Web-based 

exposure and risk 

assessment 

frameworks 

(DMAT)

Scientists and 

public health 

professionals in 

communities

Identify and 

prioritize risks in a 

tribal community

Empower 

communities to 

assess exposures

and risk

Low cost 

monitor(s) for 

criteria air 

pollutants and air 

toxics (DCT)

State, local and 

tribal governments

Provide air quality 

data that are 

spatially

comparable to SES 

data for EJ analysis

Compare exposure 

of communities 

near roadways to 

national/regional

levels

Conversion of 

cooking oil/grease 

to biodiesel (ST)

Local businesses Reduce disposal of 

waste oil/grease

Reduce risk,

improve water and 

air quality