The Rust to Resilience Environmental Chemical Research Center, led by Pitt Public Health faculty member Alison P. Sanders, brings together clinicians, engineers, toxicologists and epidemiologists to assess how Legacy contaminants such as metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, persist in water and soil and therefore affect Rust Belt populations. PFAS, like other environmental chemicals, cause health concerns such as high cholesterol, increased liver enzymes, and certain cancers.
The center focuses on developing strategies to mitigate health risks and prevent future exposures.
"Oasis Farm and Fishery has been a long term community partner," explains David Sanchez in the video below. "They are a grassroots initiative in the community looking to be a model for how to farm in an urban environment in a sustainable manner." Right now, they are working on a project that aims to reduce how much PFAS gets into lettuce.
Listen to team members Juliane Beier, Nishad Jayasundara, David V.P. Sanchez, Jeanine Buchanich, Chris Gennings, and Neil Hukriede discuss their work.