STEEP Center: PFAS Transport, Exposure, Effects and Repair
Official title: Sources, Transport, Exposure & Effects of PFAS (STEEP) Center - RENEWAL
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11563976 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A center-led effort to understand how PFAS exposure affects children and families, and to develop tools and strategies to reduce risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $207,954 |
| NIH project number | 3P42ES027706-10S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11563976 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and families living in areas with PFAS contamination or exposure concerns, and those affected by PFAS-related health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PFAS exposure or risk of exposure may not directly benefit, though population-level findings could still inform public health decisions.
What this research studies
This center focuses on how PFAS move through the environment, how people are exposed, and how PFAS affects health, with a special emphasis on children. It combines environmental science with cutting-edge detection methods and collaborations with state and federal agencies to inform safer drinking water and healthier communities. The work includes studying immunotoxicity and metabolism in children, and developing better ways to predict and remediate PFAS contamination. By training researchers and engaging with the public, STEEP II aims to translate findings into practical protections for families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to improved detection of PFAS, better remediation of contaminated groundwater, and clearer guidance to protect children's health.
How similar studies have gone: Past STEEP work established collaborative methods and early findings; STEEP II aims to build on that success with expanded scope and new technologies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lohmann, Rainer — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Lohmann, Rainer
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.