{"691043":{"#nid":"691043","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia\u2019s First Superfund Research Center to Study Hazardous Industrial Pollution, Remediation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA coalition of scientists from six universities and community partners has received a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)\u003C\/a\u003E grant to establish Georgia\u2019s first Superfund Research Center. The center will study the health effects and potential remediation of harmful contaminants in Glynn County, a Georgia coastal community with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sph.emory.edu\/magazine\/2024\/spring\/burden-brunswick\u0022\u003Ea long history of industrial pollution\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuperfund sites are highly contaminated areas designated by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/superfund\/what-superfund\u0022\u003EU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u003C\/a\u003E for hazardous waste cleanup. Superfund Research Centers are coordinated research programs \u2014 not physical buildings \u2014 designed to address complex environmental health problems, reduce exposure to contaminants, and improve public health.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/tools.niehs.nih.gov\/srp\/programs\/index267.cfm\u0022\u003EFewer than 24\u003C\/a\u003E exist nationwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Community Asking Questions for Decades\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor generations, residents of the city of Brunswick and Glynn County have lived near former industrial facilities that produced or used chemicals such as toxaphene, PCBs, and mercury. Many have long suspected that these contaminants were affecting their health, yet lacked scientific evidence to validate their concerns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat began to change in 2023, when Emory University researchers launched the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S026974912500613X\u0022\u003EGlynn County human exposure study\u003C\/a\u003E at the invitation of residents. The study found elevated levels of legacy pollutants in the blood of many participants, confirming what community members had feared.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI want more neighbors to have the opportunity to be tested and to learn about the project,\u201d said resident Semona Holmes. \u201cBecause now more folks are saying, \u2018I want to be tested.\u2019\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOthers on the coast echoed the need for continued investigation. \u201cExposure isn\u2019t always uniform,\u201d said Brunswick resident Michael Staley. \u201cSome residents may have higher levels depending on their proximity, diet, or occupation. I hope this gives our neighbors a clearer understanding of how our communities are affected, because often regular people feel uncertain and overlooked.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResidents have repeatedly asked for more testing, more transparency, and more opportunities to understand what is in their soil, water, and bodies. \u201cI would like to see an expansion of the exposure study because the soil needs to be tested,\u201d said Larry Owens, who lives near the Hercules-Pinova site, a former chemical plant that closed in 2023.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother resident, John Freeman, emphasized the need for broad participation. \u201cThey need to make sure everybody in our neighborhood knows they are going to be doing research so that everybody will have the chance to come out and get tested and see what\u2019s in their bodies.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding on Community Momentum\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new Superfund Research Center will expand this work significantly. Led by Emory University in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, and Texas Tech University, the center will focus on five major research areas:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eaae967e07b3b81fd60ba6286b3615bd5\u0022\u003EHuman health research \u2014 evaluating links between chemical exposures and metabolic diseases.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ebae9bb06b2fa8cff77be0fb491e1c408\u0022\u003EToxicity testing \u2014 assessing how contaminants harm health.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ee609cad4ed42d244dc99b94572f68295\u0022\u003EEnvironmental sampling \u2014 identifying soil, water, and other exposure pathways.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e953737438b0a65d926def30bd93a72c1\u0022\u003EExtreme weather modeling \u2014 studying how storms and flooding move hazardous chemicals.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e124a5cca6a8725180eba7d57942d84a8\u0022\u003ERemediation research \u2014 evaluating low\u2011impact cleanup strategies suitable for sensitive coastal ecosystems.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy combining cutting-edge exposure science and health research with direct community partnerships, the center will translate complex environmental data into practical information that supports healthier decisions for families, clinicians, and policymakers,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sph.emory.edu\/profile\/faculty\/dana-barr\u0022\u003EDana Barr,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eprofessor of environmental health at Emory University and director of the Superfund Research Center.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBarr credited community leadership for the center\u0027s existence. \u201cThis project is a direct consequence of community support in many forms. We would not be here without your efforts, and we know what that means: We must keep community voices at the forefront of our work, and we need to deliver.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommunity Voices at the Heart of the Work\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResidents say the exposure study empowered them to speak up and demand answers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAfter I learned my numbers showed contamination, I started coming to the community meetings,\u201d said Jocelyn Farmer, a fenceline resident. \u201cI wanted to learn more about the study and about my neighborhood.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother resident, Eugene Smiley, said that \u201ceveryone who lives in this neighborhood should have their blood tested. Yes, I think they should come back and give people a chance to get tested so that we all are aware of what chemicals are in our bodies.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many in this coastal Georgia area, the new center represents long-awaited recognition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019ve been living here a long time, and we\u2019ve been exposed to it,\u201d said Victoria Mackey. \u201cIf this study had not happened, we would not have known. Now we have chemical awareness. There are generations that have been exposed to these chemicals. The expanded exposure study is needed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunity partners also see the center as a turning point.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research involves working with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.healthycoastalneighborhoods.org\/\u0022\u003EHealthy Coastal Neighborhoods\u003C\/a\u003E, a community-driven coalition working at the intersection of environmental quality and public health in Glynn County, Georgia. The coalition brings together community groups, researchers, and residents to address the toxic legacy that has affected coastal Georgia communities for decades. The coalition issued a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.healthycoastalneighborhoods.org\/Photos\/HCN%20Superfund%20Center%20Press%20Release%20Website%206-10-26.pdf\u0022\u003Elocal news release\u003C\/a\u003E announcing the new research center on June 10.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are honored and truly humbled to be partners in this project,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/jill-gambill\u0022\u003EJill Gambill,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eexecutive director of the CEAR Hub and senior research associate for the Institute for People and Technology at Georgia Tech-Savannah. \u201cThe residents of Glynn County have been asking hard questions about their health and environment for a long time. This center is our opportunity to put Georgia Tech\u0027s resources and expertise to work directly for the community.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInvesting in Education, Engagement, and Local Capacity\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFunded at approximately $15 million over five years, the center will also support:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e31d51bd314b7ad43328ac994f0436402\u0022\u003ECommunity engagement programs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e5cd4b589ec5ce0e5bf347a175b92f70b\u0022\u003EYouth educational outreach.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e304724d42fcbe165dcd814b23cba2d8e\u0022\u003EImprovements to the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.healthycoastalneighborhoods.org\/smart-seafood.html\u0022\u003EHealthy Coastal Neighborhoods\u2019 Seafood Smart website\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e56228226f7b07420f5bd370d6e33a1d0\u0022\u003EA community advisory group.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3d48d67a1692c28f7dea8f61df452170\u0022\u003ETraining for local healthcare providers.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe issue of industrial contamination is inherently complex, and this Superfund Research Center offers a rare opportunity to address it from multiple angles,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sph.emory.edu\/profile\/faculty\/noah-scovronick\u0022\u003ENoah Scovronick,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Edeputy director of the center. \u201cJust as important, the center supports community-led efforts to raise awareness and reduce exposures.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Model for the Nation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the center\u2019s work is focused on Glynn County, its findings will have national relevance. Communities across the country face similar challenges with legacy pollutants, and the center\u2019s research aims to provide actionable insights for reducing exposure and improving public health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEven after production stops, these chemicals can continue entering people\u2019s bodies through lingering exposure pathways,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/emoryhercules.com\/bio\/melanie-pearson-phd\/\u0022\u003EMelanie Pearson,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eassociate professor in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. \u201cUnderstanding how that happens is essential to reducing risk. Partnering with affected residents strengthens the science and ensures it leads to meaningful, real-world benefits.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA coalition of scientists from six universities and community partners has received a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)\u003C\/a\u003E grant to establish Georgia\u2019s first Superfund Research Center.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A coalition of scientists from six universities and community partners has received a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) grant to establish Georgia\u2019s first Superfund Research Center. "}],"uid":"27513","created_gmt":"2026-07-06 16:57:08","changed_gmt":"2026-07-06 17:01:51","author":"Walter Rich","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680555":{"id":"680555","type":"image","title":"Some of the researchers and coastal community members participating in the study.","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESome of the researchers and coastal community members participating in the study: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFront row: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMelanie Pearson\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EKasey McClary\u003C\/strong\u003E from Emory University, \u003Cstrong\u003ESemona Holmes\u003C\/strong\u003E from Urbana Perry Park Neighborhood Planning Assembly, and \u003Cstrong\u003ERachael Thompson\u003C\/strong\u003E from Glynn Environmental Coalition. \u003Cem\u003EBack row: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnita Collins\u003C\/strong\u003E from Urbana Perry Park Neighborhood Planning Assembly, \u003Cstrong\u003EKaty Smith\u003C\/strong\u003E from University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, \u003Cstrong\u003ENoah Scovronick\u003C\/strong\u003E from Emory University, community organizer and activist \u003Cstrong\u003EJazz Watts\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EJill Gambill\u003C\/strong\u003E from CEAR Hub at Georgia Tech, \u003Cstrong\u003EKimberly Andrews\u003C\/strong\u003E from University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, \u003Cstrong\u003EAlice Keyes\u003C\/strong\u003E from One Hundred Miles, and \u003Cstrong\u003EEtta Brown\u003C\/strong\u003E, who is a resident in the Urbana Perry Park neighborhood, a participant in the initial study of 100 residents, and a vocal supporter of the Superfund Research Center.\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1783356598","gmt_created":"2026-07-06 16:49:58","changed":"1783357657","gmt_changed":"2026-07-06 17:07:37","alt":"Some of the researchers and coastal community members participating in the study.  Front row: Melanie Pearson and Kasey McClary from Emory University, Semona Holmes from Urbana Perry Park Neighborhood Planning Assembly, and Rachael Thompson from Glynn Environmental Coalition.  Back row: Anita Collins from Urbana Perry Park Neighborhood Planning Assembly, Katy Smith from University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Noah Scovronick from Emory University, community organizer and activist Jazz ","file":{"fid":"264832","name":"IMG_1697-2-use-THIS.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/06\/IMG_1697-2-use-THIS.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/06\/IMG_1697-2-use-THIS.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4846900,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/06\/IMG_1697-2-use-THIS.jpeg?itok=tW6MRPHd"}},"680556":{"id":"680556","type":"image","title":"Georgia marsh photo","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia\u0027s first Superfund Research Center will address the human and environmental effects of heavily polluted sites located in coastal areas, including this one, in Glynn County, Georgia. (Emory photo by Rob Spahr)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1783357178","gmt_created":"2026-07-06 16:59:38","changed":"1783357249","gmt_changed":"2026-07-06 17:00:49","alt":"Georgia\u0027s first Superfund Research Center will address the human and environmental effects of heavily polluted sites located in coastal areas, including this one, in Glynn County, Georgia. (Emory photo by Rob Spahr)","file":{"fid":"264833","name":"2026_Brunswick-superfund-site_2-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/06\/2026_Brunswick-superfund-site_2-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/06\/2026_Brunswick-superfund-site_2-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":697249,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/06\/2026_Brunswick-superfund-site_2-copy.jpg?itok=ZtpIYY5K"}}},"media_ids":["680555","680556"],"groups":[{"id":"69599","name":"IPaT"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:walter.rich@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EWalter Rich\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["walter.rich@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}