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# Emerging Technologies and Vulnerable Populations Presented to NACEPT Dr. Chris Saint Office of Science Policy September 27, 2010**Office of**  **Research and**  **Development**

Office of Science Policy 

# Outline

• 

## Background – Charge and Context • 

## Definitions • 

## Organizing F ramework 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 e**  **merging as**  **“game changers”?** • How can EPA and state regulators identify and address the barriers to the development and deployment of such technologies? **3 Office**  **of Research**  **and Development** 

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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** 

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### 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 Office**  **of Research**  **and Development** 

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# Technology

• 

### Data **c ollection**  **technology** (DCT)

– P rovide data and other information for use in environmental decision - making 

### • 

### Data management and analy**sis 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 8** **Office of**  **Research and**  **Development**

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# Data Collection **Technology**

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### 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 decision making (e.g., visualization) **10** Social Science Quarterly: 84(2) 242–261 (2003)**Office of**  **Research and**  **Development**

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# Risk Management **Technology**
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### 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** 
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### 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 w ill**  **use it? How** **w ill**  **it be used?**  **What is the**

**anticipated impact?**  GIS Software to overlay demographic and monitoring data (DMA T) Rulemakers in EP A Compare exposure of communities impacted by proposed action Characterize EJ

implications of proposed action Exposure assessment software (DMA

T) Risk assessors in EP A Conduct d ietary,

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 w** **ill use it?**  **How w**  **ill it be**  **used? What is the** 

**anticipated impact?**  Web-based exposure and risk assessment frameworks (DMA T) 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**Office of**  **Research and**  **Development**

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# Recommendation

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### 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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