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

Two new projects add to Sea Grant’s involvement in CECs
Two new projects aim to enhance research and monitoring efforts for CECs in the second round of funding for CECs projects, following the first round in which the CT-NH-NC Sea Grant project was chosen.
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Read articles about CECs project, PFAS in Wrack Lines magazine
The Fall-Winter 2022-2023 issue of Wrack Lines magazine includes articles about the Contaminants of Emerging Concern project and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances called PFAS.
[Read More]Call for proposals issued for CECs research projects
The CECs project announces a request for proposals (RFP) for a regional research competition focused on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), focused on the Atlantic Coast. Proposals are encouraged for projects of up to 18 months requesting up to $150,000. Letters of intent are due by Sept. 23, 2022.
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Webinar: Defining a role for Sea Grant engagement in CECs
Slides from the May 19 national webinar on the Sea Grant Emerging Contaminants Project: Initial National Framework are available here.
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CTSG director, researcher, artist talk about plastics, PFAS
CTSG Director Sylvain De Guise, UConn Marine Sciences Prof. Evan Ward and Sea Grant-supported artist Elizabeth Ellenwood are interviewed on WNPR’s “Where We Live” about PFAS and microplastics.
[Read More]Initial National Framework
Sea Grant Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Initial National Framework report
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
EPA 2022 Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Microplastics Database and Map Portal