Office of Research and Development

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Emerging Technologies 

and Vulnerable 

Populations

Presented to NACEPT

Dr. Chris Saint

Office of Science Policy

September 27, 2010
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Outline

•Background – Charge and Context

• Definitions

• Organizing Framework for Addressing the 

Charge

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NACEPT Charge

Bringing the best science and technology to support 

decision-making and empower communities

Charge Questions

• What is currently known about major environmental 

justice related health risks ?

• What technologies are most useful, in particular, 

specific technologies that are now emerging as 

“game changers”?

• How can EPA and state regulators identify and address 

the barriers to the development and deployment of such 

technologies?

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Context for Science and 

Technology in Support of EJ

• Draft 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)

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Draft Plan EJ 2014 – Focus Areas

• Incorporating Environmental Justice Into 

Rulemaking (ADP Process) 

• Considering Environmental Justice Concerns in 

EPA’s Permitting Process 

• Accelerating Compliance and Enforcement 

Initiatives, 

• Supporting Community-Based Action 

Programs

• Fostering Administration-Wide Action on 

Environmental Justice 

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Definitions

•Vulnerable Populations

• Technology

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Vulnerable 

Populations
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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

• Risk management technology (RMT)

–Remove contaminants or prevent them from entering the 

environment

Desirable characteristics: Innovative, cost-effective, 

and easy to use

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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)

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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)

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Social Science Quarterly: 84(2) 242–261 (2003)
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Risk Management 

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

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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?

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Technology – EPA Actions

What is the 

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

What is the 

anticipated 

impact?

GIS Software to 

overlay 

demographic and 

monitoring data 

(DMAT)

Rulemakers in EPA Compare

exposure of 

communities 

impacted by 

proposed action

Characterize EJ 

implications of 

proposed action 

Exposure 

assessment 

software (DMAT)

Risk assessors in 

EPA

Conduct dietary, 

aggregate and 

cumulative risk 

assessments for 

pesticides

Determine the 

importance of 

unique exposure 

pathways

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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 (RMT)

Local businesses Reduce disposal of 

waste oil/grease

Reduce risk,

improve water and 

air quality
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Recommendation

• Consider an organizing framework for evaluating 

technology needs and advising the Agency based on:

– Types of technology

– Intended use 

• Rulemaking

• Supporting community actions

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