Principal Investigator: Alistair Hayden

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 

Addressing the disproportionate exposure of marginalized communities to toxic substances has remained a cornerstone of environmental justice. New availability of data on the presence of the toxic substances known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” now enables the evaluation of disparities in PFAS exposure. We propose to analyze disparities in PFAS exposure using new PFAS data, including from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) samples of public water systems and New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) samples of groundwater. We will perform policy-relevant statistical analyses to analyze correlations that can support policy updates. The main goal of the work is to perform analyses that can help policy makers, so we will use relevant social-vulnerability datasets such as the DEC Disadvantaged Communities Criteria and Environmental Justice Areas. Furthermore, our team includes collaboration directly with DEC to ensure the analyses are relevant to state agencies and to help communicate the results efficiently with the State, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) student to train the next generation of policy-oriented researchers. The intended outcome of the project is to identify disparities in PFAS exposure across the state so that disparities can be addressed by policy makers and communities.