# Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of PFASs (STEEP)

> **NIH NIH P42** · UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND · 2020 · $201,781

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
More than 600 sites across the U.S. are contaminated by poly and perfluroalkyl substances (PFASs)
but the extent of transport away from these sites and entry into human exposure pathways (drinking
water and fish) is virtually unknown. This information is critical for assessing human health risks
associated with exposures to PFASs from contaminated sites, such as the metabolic and immune
outcomes that are being investigated in Projects 2 and 3 of the STEEP Center. This project will
measure a suite of PFASs present in drinking water and fish near the Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC),
a region contaminated by historical fire training activity and designated as a National Priorities List
site. For Aim 1, novel statistical methods will be used to fingerprint profiles of PFASs measured in
fish and drinking water around the JBCC site. PFAS profiles in drinking water and fish will be
compared to those from consumer products (wastewater influent) to identify exposures originating
from contaminated sites. For Aim 2, we will leverage from long-term research by the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) near the JBCC site characterizing hydrological flow paths and groundwater
geochemistry to better understand how environmental factors influence the transport and
transformations of PFASs away from contaminated sites and into drinking water supplies. We will
use a combination of field measurements in collaboration with Project 4, and advanced geochemical
modeling that leverages from prior USGS hydrological research. For Aim 3, we will extend
knowledge on the spatial domain of groundwater transport to include uptake by fish. Fish will be
exposed to experimental incubations along the groundwater transport plume and we will assess
toxicological biomarkers for immune and metabolic responses. One of the major expected outcomes
of this work will be better understanding of the spatial extent of elevated PFAS concentrations in fish
and drinking water from contaminated sites, which will allow improved characterization of exposed
populations and risks. This project will provide a novel contribution at the nexus between
geochemistry and health by linking the geochemical factors affecting PFAS transport and mobility to
human health risks associated with exposure.
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## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9904670
- **Project number:** 5P42ES027706-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
- **Principal Investigator:** Elsie Mareca Sunderland
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $201,781
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9904670

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9904670, Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of PFASs (STEEP) (5P42ES027706-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9904670. Licensed CC0.

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