# Studying AFFF Fate and Exposure to Pursue Outcomes that Restore Trust: SAFE PORT

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2022 · $234,360

## Abstract

Project Summary
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent and toxic chemicals implicated in liver toxicity,
various cancers, and immune suppression. PFAS have long been used as active ingredients in specialized
firefighting foams. In late July 2021, PFAS-containing firefighting foam was inadvertently introduced into the
drinking water system of the Lower 10th Ward of McKeesport, PA, affecting approximately 500 residents in this
environmental justice community. Currently, little is known about how this substance behaves within premise
plumbing. Our preliminary investigation in December 2021 of residential tap water found two out of 15 homes
with PFAS levels well above state and federal guidelines for health, indicating that the contamination has
persisted in the premise plumbing despite actions by the water utility to flush the distribution lines. The overall
goal of this project is to determine the extent to which PFAS is present in the tap water of the community and
surrounding surface soils (due to hydrant flushing) and to evaluate the efficacy of interventions to reduce PFAS
exposure. Our hypothesis is that PFAS-containing firefighting foams can form or incorporate into deposits in
residential pipes, leading to long-term exposure to residents. Moreover, we expect that flushing hydrants to clear
contamination from the distribution system will have led to surface contamination of surrounding soils, providing
another route of potential exposure for humans and wildlife. We will use a combination of water and soil testing
to determine the extent of contamination, as well as estimate PFAS loads from residential taps by analyzing
water filters put in place following the contamination event and by deploying new filters with flow meters. Finally,
we will work with key stakeholders in the community and the region to develop a network and model for
engagement among residents, utilities, first responders, scientific experts and regulatory agencies. The specific
aims are: (1) Determine the extent of contamination in the lower 10th Ward, (2) Test the efficacy of interventions
on reducing PFAS exposures over time, and (3) Develop a Community-Led Engagement and Response
(CLEaR) framework. The broad impacts of this project are to develop and disseminate best practices to reduce
community exposures following a firefighting foam contamination event, and to improve the social and practical
infrastructure for community-engaged environmental health emergency response in a sustainable way.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10559817
- **Project number:** 1R21ES034701-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Carla Ng
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $234,360
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-02 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10559817

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10559817, Studying AFFF Fate and Exposure to Pursue Outcomes that Restore Trust: SAFE PORT (1R21ES034701-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10559817. Licensed CC0.

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