Impact/Purpose:

More cost-effective field screening and monitoring methods will be provided to increase the amount of information available concerning the location, source, and concentration of pollutants. Rapid and sensitive immunoassays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to monitor remediation and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will be developed. Each new method will be tested on real-world samples from monitoring studies. Field studies will be conducted when time and resources permit. The feasibility and application of immunosensors to provide field analytical methods for the dynamic monitoring of hazardous substances of interest to the EPA will also be investigated. Concern has been expressed for the potential exposure of individuals to toxic compounds who live near hazardous waste sites or who may become exposed through other means. Thus, the development of methods for measuring biomarkers for human exposure assessment studies is also addressed.

During the remainder of the Task several projects will be undertaken including:

- Complete the development and evaluation of bioanalytical methods for dioxin and related compounds

- Perform dioxin immunoassay analysis on samples from a dioxin SITE demonstration

- Comparison of an ELISA with gas chromatography (GC) for monitoring polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils/sediments collected from a Superfund field demonstration

- Survey of bioanalytical methods and sensor technologies for environmental monitoring

- Development of immunoaffinity chromatography sample preparations for PCBs

- Preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each bioanalytical method developed

- Conduct yearly research meeting

- Conduct survey of high priority chemicals at National Priorities List (NPL) sites for bioanalysis suitability

- Develop new bioanalytical methods for hazardous compounds of public concern

- Perform PCP immunoassay analysis on soil and sediment samples from a Superfund site and compare with GC data

- Preparation of fact sheets and journal articles

Description:

The overall goal of this task is to help reduce the uncertainties in the assessment of environmental health and human exposure by better characterizing hazardous wastes through cost-effective analytical methods. Research projects are directed towards the applied development and application of immunochemical and other bioanalytical methods for a variety of toxic compounds. Based on client needs, research objectives include: immunoassay detection; immunoaffinity chromatography sample preparations; immunoassay detection coupled with efficient sample preparations such as accelerated solvent extraction; investigation of emerging bioanalytical methods for environmental monitoring; identification of target analytes for Superfund site monitoring; development of specific antibodies and immunologic reagents; field testing of methods; and a yearly research meeting. Research is providing analytical support for Superfund and EPA Regional monitoring needs. A tiered approach to project planning and initiation maximizes time and resources. Multi-year plans, overviews and clients are consulted to determine needs. Immunologic reagents are obtained through development as well as collaborations to maximize resources. Methods are developed for various matrices including soils, sediments, ground water, and biological fluids for analysis of contaminants and biomarkers of exposure.

The EPA Superfund Office is concerned about the high cost of environmental monitoring for several compounds, including the analysis of the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and related compounds. In addition, more cost-effective and rapid methods are needed to support monitoring and human exposure assessment studies. Bioanalytical methods can be rapid and more cost-effective than instrumental methods for analyzing compounds of environmental concern such as the polychlorinated-biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and other PCDDs. New analysical methods should be evaluated and tested on real-world environmental samples to establish performance characteristics and data quality prior to application to monitoring studies. These methods comparisons have been requested by the clients to determine the applicability of bioanalytical methods for particular monitoring studies including those conducted by the Regions and those that support various ORD dioxin projects.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT

Start Date:10/01/1999

Projected Completion Date:09/01/2006

OMB Category:Other

Record ID: 56146

Show Additional Record Data

Project Information:

Progress :The progress to date for this project can be summarized as follows: Immunochemical and other bioanalytical measurement techniques have been developed for compounds of significance (e.g. PCBs, PAHs, PCDDs and PCP) to Superfund and EPA Regions. Most recently, an APM for the measurement of PCBs in soil samples to support Superfund monitoring studies was completed in 2003. Results of this Task are communicated through presentations, both inhouse and at national meetings, peer reviewed publications and direct communications with client personnel. Direct contact with Superfund and EPA Regional personnel provide feedback and guide research objectives. Research advanced in several key areas such as: applying immunochemical methods to different analytes, and tailoring commercial test methods to environmental and biological matrices.

- The APM "Report on Comparison of Chromatography and Immunoassay Methods for PCB Soil Samples to Support Decision-Making for Cost-Effective Field Analytical Methods for Superfund Site Monitoring" was completed (EPA/600/R-30-060, 2003).

- A comparative study of immunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil was conducted (Journal article, 2003).

- A database of SOPs and quality assurance guidance has been developed.

- Target analytes have been identified based upon multi-year plans, overviews, as well as National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) and Client Program Office needs. Analytes identified to date include: PCBs, pentachlorophenol (PCP), PCDDs, and heavy metals. Methods development include both environmental and biological matrices.

- PCB haptens, immunologic conjugates and antibodies have been synthesized and developed for the most prevalent PCB congeners.

- Antibodies for the toxic co-planer PCB congeners have been developed - PCB immunoassay methods have been evaluated for analysis of samples from hazardous waste sites, and other environmental sampling sites.

- PCP haptens have been synthesized.

- An ELISA for PCP has been applied to soil samples.

- Immunochemical methods have been teamed with instrumental sample preparations such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) for oily soil samples.

- Research results have been communicated through peer-reviewed manuscripts and oral presentations.



Note: The product listed below has yet to be entered into TIMS.

ABSTRACT/ORAL:

Van Emon, J. M., "Environmental Immunochemistry: A Celebration of Accomplishments," The Pittsburgh Conference (PITTCON ‘99), Orlando, FL, March 6-13, 1999.



Relevance :Relevance / Significance / Impact: Effective on-site environmental monitoring often requires methods that are rapid, inexpensive and easy to perform. In many instances, immunoassay methods can offer these advantages. Several immunochemical methods have demonstrated appropriate applications for environmental field work under the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program. Field screening immunoassay methods have directed site activities in real-time, minimizing both time and cost. Immunoassay methods also provide for a high sample throughput which is important for the timely analysis of a large number of samples. Laboratory-based quantitative immunoassays can support in-depth site characterization and exposure assessment studies. Immunoassays for parent compounds, environmental degradation products, and biomarkers of exposure can be configured for appropriate environmental and biological matrices to support an integrated multimedia approach to environment monitoring and risk assessment. In situ immunochemical detection methods such as electrochemical immunosensors may be feasible for down-hole monitoring, or the dynamic monitoring of waste streams or other effluents. Methods capable of continuous, in situ remote operations could be useful for the detection of episodic releases of hazardous materials into rivers or aquifers and to monitor ground water. This task will supply other techniques such as immunoaffinity chromatography for streamlining sample preparations for instrumental detection methods such as mass spectrometry. Instrumental sample preparations will also be coupled with immunoassays to leverage the advantages of both technologies. Each completed method will be evaluated based on real-world samples, or if more appropriate, field tested at a hazardous site. A user guide and SOPs for individual methods have been written. Results are communicated to the Program Office and EPA Regions through presentation, publications and direct communications. Yearly research meetings have also been conducted to discuss results and to stay current with state-of-the-art bioanalytical technologies. These research meetings enable effective communications with clients and other researchers.

This task addresses exposure research through the development of analytical methods for soil and groundwater characterization with a focus on methods that will rapidly provide high quality data with cost-effective and field portable instrumentation. The on-going and proposed immunochemical methods projects will impact several key areas. Emphasis will be placed on developing field analytical capabilities. Target analytes are chosen that are intractable or difficult to analyze by conventional EPA methods. Finally, methods will be tailored to support monitoring studies to provide data for improved risk assessments. Analytical methods development for compounds considered to be endocrine disrupting will be coordinated with other EPA projects that specifically address the issue of endocrine disruptors.

Clients :OSW, OERR, OSWER, ORD, Regions, Scientific Community,

Project IDs:

ID Code :3919

Project type :OMIS