PFAS contamination near water recycling plants and in the environment
Research Project 3: Investigating PFAS across water reclamation facilities and in environmental media
This project develops new ways to find and map PFAS chemicals in recycled water, groundwater, soil, and air to help protect communities that use these water sources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324197 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect water, soil, and air samples around water reclamation facilities, urban runoff sites, and contaminated areas to measure PFAS levels using improved lab methods that do not rely on individual chemical standards. They will work on better extraction techniques for complex environmental samples and apply non-targeted chemical analyses to capture a wider range of PFAS. The team will combine these measurements with computer models to predict how PFAS moves through groundwater and identify neighborhoods at higher risk. Results will inform safer drinking-water reuse practices and targeted actions to reduce exposures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people or communities who get drinking water from groundwater or recycled water near water reclamation facilities, industrial sites, or urban runoff areas and want local testing or mapping of PFAS.
Not a fit: People whose drinking water is already tested and confirmed PFAS-free or those not exposed through local groundwater or recycled-water supplies may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify contaminated water sources and guide steps to reduce PFAS exposure for affected communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have measured PFAS in water and used modeling, but broad non-targeted methods and large-scale groundwater mapping for PFAS are relatively new and not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Adam Lee — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Smith, Adam Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.