Grantee Research Project Results
2024 Progress Report: University of Maine PFAS Research: Informing Farm Management Decisions
EPA Grant Number: EM840672Title: University of Maine PFAS Research: Informing Farm Management Decisions
Investigators: Bolton, Jason , Carter, Hannah
Institution: University of Maine
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2027
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2023 through October 31,2024
Project Amount: $3,000,000
RFA: Congressionally Directed Spending (2023)
Research Category: PFAS Detection , Urban Air Toxics , Watersheds , Endocrine Disruptors , Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil/Water , Environmental Justice , PFAS Treatment
Objective:
The objective of this project is to fund research proposals at the University of Maine that advance the understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and how these compounds move within the environment and the food system, to provide guidance for the development of effective PFAS management strategies and informed decision-making for farmers, citizens, and the Maine economy.
Progress Summary:
The project team spent the first year of the grant creating a quality management plan, hiring support staff, assembling a grant review committee, and releasing a request for applications for the first round of internal UMaine PFAS research grants. We received 24 pre-proposals from UMaine researchers.
Future Activities:
In the upcoming reporting period, the grant review committee will review applications and award grants to faculty at UMaine. Awardees will begin research activities in March of 2025. The Project Manager will follow the progress of these projects and monitor subawards.
Supplemental Keywords:
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, PFAS, PFAS Contamination, Maine, Food System, Agriculture, Farm Management Strategies, Biosolids, Ecosystems, Remediation, Decision-Making, NortheastRelevant Websites:
Understanding, Remediating, and Reducing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination to Food Systems RFA Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.