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, 2011Office 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)

2Office of Research and Development

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# 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 PopulationsOffice 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 PrioritiesOffice 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 innovationOffice of Research and Development

Office of Science Policy 

# Technology

• 

## Data collection technology (DCT)

– P rovide 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 7Office 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)

– E xamples: Lead test kits, on -site monitors for near roadway air pollution exposures, passive monitors for pesticide exposure • 

## Automated technology for survey data (questionnaires)

8Office 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 decision making (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 10Office 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?

11Office of Research and Development

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# 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