Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN): Internet Seminar Audio Archives

This Progress in Research webinar series, hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP), showcases research from 6 schools funded by SRP in 2025. These awards were made as part of the P42 grant solicitation RFA-ES-20-014. In the two-part series, awardees will highlight their research projects, accomplishments, and next steps. The newly funded centers, including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Arizona, and University of Iowa, are bringing fresh ideas and approaches to tackle complex problems related to hazardous substances.

The Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) SRP Center investigates whether the maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emanating from superfund sites, as well as other environmental chemicals, increases the risk of preterm births (PTBs) and augments major neonatal morbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The BCM SRP Center wants to determine the mechanisms by which PAHs contribute to PTBs and understand the factors that could be targets for interventions to prevent and reduce the health burden associated with PAHs present in Superfund sites.

The University of Arizona SRP Center works to address the unique human health risks encountered in the U.S. Southwest, a region with a rich history of metal mining and generation of mine wastes. Their overall goal is to construct a mechanistic model of how chronic exposure to mining-impacted dust that is co-contaminated with metal(loid)s and fungal spores contributes to the development of nonmalignant lung diseases. They aim to implement this model to predict exposures and associated health outcomes, to inform public health prevention in communities neighboring mine waste sites, and design remediation-based interventions to exposure.

The University of Iowa SRP Center focuses its research on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The center studies PCBs in the air, particularly in schools and those emitted from contaminated soils and water of Superfund sites. Researchers examine the health impacts of inhaled PCBs, particularly on adolescents, with a focus on neurodevelopmental and metabolic effects. The University of Iowa SRP Center's long-term goal is to develop recommendations to prevent and/or limit human exposure to airborne PCBs and to improve the health and well-being of the population.

To learn about and register for the other session in this webinar series, please see the SRP website. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRPPIR27_071626/

This session focuses on applying phytotechnologies to contaminated soil and groundwater, covering key mechanisms and how to align plant species, contaminants (e.g., petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, metals, emerging compounds), and site conditions for effective treatment. Participants will learn practical design considerations, including hydrogeology, climate, and long-term maintenance, along with realistic performance expectations. Lessons learned in monitoring, system performance, and sustainability co-benefits, such as habitat creation and climate resilience, are emphasized to help teams design defensible, effective phytoremediation projects.

Concepts are reinforced through real-world case studies demonstrating phytoremediation in practice. Attendees will explore applied case studies illustrating diverse uses of phytotechnology, including hybrid treatment systems for complex groundwater contamination, hydraulic plume control using deep-rooted trees, remediation of petroleum impacts in coastal environments, and large-scale natural treatment systems for nutrient management. These examples highlight both the opportunities and limitations of phytoremediation and provide actionable insights for determining when and how it can be effectively integrated into remediation strategies. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/PhytoinPractice_071526/

The Data Usability Assessment (DUA) is a defined process that considers whether data meet project data quality objectives (DQOs) as they relate to the decision to be made and evaluates whether data are suitable for making that decision. DUAs are critical to ensuring that Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) and munitions constituents (MC) data are of the right type, quantity, and quality to meet project DQOs. The project-specific requirements for conducting the DUA process are defined during the Systematic Planning Process and documented in the project-specific QAPP. This webinar will discuss the DUA process for both MEC and MC during remedial investigation and remedial actions. At the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to explain the purpose of DUA, identify the project team members required to participate, select the appropriate inputs, conduct the assessment, and document the DUA outputs. Presentations will be suitable for the varied M2S2 webinar audience, which typically includes government, regulator, and contractor attendees, and there will be opportunities for questions and discussion. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/m2s2fy26-2_062526/

Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute is a two-hour webinar course that identifies less formal options to address conflict before going to dispute under a federal facility agreement. This webinar provides project management tips and techniques to address disagreements early in the process . By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Identify factors that contribute to conflict when working with team members from different agencies;Learn how to prepare a team to handle conflict;Explore tips and techniques to improve communication and come to resolution; and,Understand when formal dispute should be considered.The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FFAcademy5_061026/

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) is presenting a training on the basics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemistry. This training supplements the ITRC PFAS Introductory training and ITRC Beyond the Basics Training sessions.  You can find ITRC PFAS training resources online at https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/pfas-training/.

PFAS are an emerging group of contaminants that present unique challenges in many areas including: widespread use and presence in the environment, sampling and analysis, fate and transport, and remedial approaches. This training session will provide PFAS practitioners with an understanding of the unique aspects of PFAS chemistry that guide fate and transport, treatment, regulations, and decision-making on PFAS sites.   
Key focus areas of the training include the following:Why are PFAS different from other organic chemicals?How are PFAS defined?How are PFAS manufactured and why does that matter?What are the differences between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances?What are the naming conventions used for the different types of PFAS?How are short-chain and long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) defined?What are precursors and why are they important?What are some of the unique chemical properties of PFAS and why do they matter?Resources and further details included in this training are in the  ITRC Guidance Document (PFAS-1). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/PFASChem_060926/