Contaminants of Emerging Concern Project

Illustration showing sources of Contaminants of Emerging Concern and various pathways into the environment
This illustration shows the sources of Contaminants of Emerging Concern and various pathways into the environment. Infographic: Virge Kask

This image shows sources of Contaminants of Emerging Concern and various pathways into the environment. Access the image here. Infographic: Virge Kask

 

Logos for the Connecticut, New Hampshire and North Carolina Sea Grant programs, Lighthouse Consulting Group, the University of Connecticut and NOAA National Sea Grant

In September 2021, a partnership of the Connecticut, New Hampshire and North Carolina Sea Grant programs and Lighthouse Consulting Group began a project on contaminants of emerging concern—the residues of commonly used products increasingly found in coastal and freshwater environments. This federally funded project will engage Sea Grant programs nationwide in developing a strategy to further knowledge about effective actions to understand and reduce impacts on humans and wildlife. Click here to read the project abstract.

Water testing

Sea Grant projects address CEC concerns nationally

August 17, 2023

Contaminants of emerging concern are increasingly detected in surface water and groundwater, posing risks to drinking water and aquatic life. Since 2020, Sea Grant has been building its CEC-focused research portfolio and supporting projects that serve locally-derived information needs. 

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Water sample collection equipment used for a PFAS research project.

Research to focus on contaminants in urban waterways

July 7, 2023

Fish, shellfish, insect, water and sediment samples from urban coastal areas from the Chesapeake Bay to Northern New England will be analyzed for the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in four research projects commissioned by a partnership of the CT, NH and NC Sea Grant programs.

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Contaminants of Emerging Concern Project Team:

Mark Amaral: MAmaral@lighthousecg.com

Judy Benson: judy.benson@uconn.edu

Sylvain De Guise: sylvain.deguise@uconn.edu

Stephen Jones: stephen.jones@unh.edu

Milton Levin: milton.levin@uconn.edu

Frank Lopez: fmlopez@ncsu.edu

Susan White: snwhite3@ncsu.edu

CEC Project Advisory Committee:

Jonathan Ali: Jonathan.M.Ali@des.nh.gov

Dennis Apeti: dennis.apeti@noaa.gov

Karen Bareford: kjbareford@ua.edu

Beth Eckert: Beth.Eckert@cfpua.org

Jennifer Gundersen: Gundersen.Jennifer@epa.gov

Jim Hurley: hurley@aqua.wisc.edu

Rick Langley: rick.langley@dhhs.nc.gov

Olga Naidenko: olga@ewg.org

Doug Parker: doug.parker@ucop.edu

Christina Stringer: cstringer@neiwpcc.org

CEC Resources:

U.S. Geological Survey: https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/emerging-contaminants

Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/wqc/contaminants-emerging-concern-including-pharmaceuticals-and-personal-care-products

A U.S. Geological Survey scientist dissects a fish brain as part of research to detect CEC residues in marine life.
A U.S. Geological Survey scientist dissects a fish brain as part of research to detect CEC residues in marine life. Photo: USGS