# PAHs: New Technologies and Emerging Health Risks

> **NIH NIH P42** · OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $2,717,480

## Abstract

SUMMARY – OVERALL CENTER
The Oregon State University Superfund Research Program (SRP), in partnership with Pacific Northwest
National Laboratories and other stakeholders and collaborators, seeks to develop new technologies to
identify the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) mixtures found at many of the nation's Superfund sites
before and after remediation. We will identify novel hazard and toxicity mechanisms for PAHs and real-world
PAH mixtures. The SRP will support three biomedical research projects and two environmental science and
engineering projects. We aligned these research projects with the four SRP mandates to address pressing
challenges at Superfund sites. The Administrative, Community Engagement, Chemical Mixtures, Research
Experience and Training, and Data Management and Analysis cores support the research projects. This
proposal builds on our successes during the previous grant period. Over the next five years, we will pursue
innovative, high-impact research goals. For example, we propose to (1) develop the first generalizable
technology to measure the movement of PAHs to and from Superfund sites, (2) measure external exposures
to PAHs for individuals near Superfund sites and determine how their exposures vary as a function of
location, (3) predict the secondary transformation products of PAHs that will form during biotic and abiotic
remediation at Superfund sites, (4) predict the toxicity of complex PAH mixtures using zebrafish, (5) link
PAH exposure to health outcomes with the aid of a powerful human in vitro respiratory model, and (6)
elucidate metabolic and physicochemical control of PAH susceptibility in toxicity systems. The cores will (1)
direct the activities of the SRP and disseminate our findings to stakeholders (Administrative), (2) work with
communities impacted by PAH exposure to address concerns and reduce risk (Community Engagement); (3)
provide intensive multi-disciplinary training for the next generation of Environmental Health Scientists
(RETCC), (4) provide data management and analysis support (DMAC), and (5) apply state-of- the-art
chemistry instrumentation and approaches to measure PAHs and PAH mixtures found in environmental and
biological matrices. By accomplishing these goals, we will advance the frontiers of science and also improve
the quality of life for impacted communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9841194
- **Project number:** 2P42ES016465-11
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Robyn L Tanguay
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,717,480
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2009-09-17 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9841194

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9841194, PAHs: New Technologies and Emerging Health Risks (2P42ES016465-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9841194. Licensed CC0.

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