OSU Superfund Research Program

07/07/2025

🎉 We’re excited to share that our center has received renewed funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for another 5 years! 🎉

This support allows us to continue our mission to protect public health through collaborative research, innovative science, and community partnerships. Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible!

superfund.oregonstate.edu

06/30/2025

🌳🔥💨 Wildfire smoke affects more than just the air you breathe, it can impact your food, your health, and even your baby's well-being. We’ve developed a set of easy-to-use infographics to help you stay safe when smoke fills the skies. These were created in collaboration with OSU Extension Service and are based on the latest research.

Food to Fight Wildfires – What to eat to support your body during smoke exposure
https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=food-to-fight-wildfires

5 Steps to Healthy Produce During Wildfire Smoke – How to safely wash and handle garden produce
https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=food-to-fight-wildfires

Wildfire Smoke and Your Baby – Guidance for protecting infants and young children
https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=wildfire-smoke-and-your-baby

Looking for more tips and tools?
OSU Extension wildfire smoke guide
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForWildfire.aspx

Oregon Health Authority: Prepare for Wildfire
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em9404-s-d

This page highlights our current infographics. All infographics can be downloaded as a PDF and used with appropriate attribution.

06/04/2025

🌙 13 Moons is a new curriculum from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, built on years of collaboration between community leaders and researchers. It blends traditional knowledge and hands-on STEAM learning to reduce environmental exposures and support community health.

Learn more about 13 Moons, how it was collaboratively developed, and how it's helping protect health, preserve culture, and inspire the next generation of tribal environmental health leaders:

https://www.buffalosfire.com/inside-the-13-moons-curriculum-how-the-swinomish-tribe-keeps-traditions-alive-while-teaching-steam-and-helping-to-reduce-chemical-exposures

https://www.cedarboxexperience.com/13-moons

05/26/2025

Dr. Lisa Truong was recently interviewed on the Adverse Reactions podcast. In the episode, Dr. Truong discussed her innovative research using zebrafish to study the effects of toxic chemicals on development and behavior, and highlighting the advantages of using zebrafish as a model organism, including their rapid development and genetic similarities to humans.

Listen to the full interview: https://www.adversereactionspodcast.com/1756958/episodes/15951606-pipping-the-scales-with-zebrafish

Read more about Dr. Truong's work on our website: https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/predicting-toxicity-complex-pah-mixtures

05/22/2025

Congratulations to our recently graduated trainees! 🎓📜 🎉

Dr. Chloe Fender has recently started a new position as an Ecotoxicologist and Scientist III at ToxStrategies. We wish Chloe all the best in her new role and future endeavors!

Dr. Juliana Huizenga has been working as a Senior Environmental Engineer at Cyclopure since January. We are excited to see the impact Juliana will have into the future!

Dr. Christian Rude has recently accepted a post-doctoral fellowship in Gerrad Jones's EcoChem lab at Oregon State. We wish Christian all the best in this exciting new chapter of his career!

04/30/2025

We are thrilled to announce that Distinguished Professor Dr. Robyn Tanguay, is the 2025–2026 Vice President-Elect of the Society of Toxicology (SOT):
https://toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/matthew-campen/2025/03/27/robyn-l-tanguay-is-the-20252026-sot-vice-president

Additionally, Dr. Tanguay has received the 2025 SOT Leading Edge in Basic Science Award for her groundbreaking research using zebrafish in high-throughput contexts to advance toxicology.
https://www.toxicology.org/awards/sot/recipients2025.asp

Congratulations to Dr. Tanguay on these remarkable achievements!

04/29/2025

🌱 Meet Dr. Diana Rohlman, the leader of our Community Engagement Core whose work bridges environmental health, community engagement, and science communication—with a little help from Star Trek. In this recent feature by OSU Today, she shares how her research with Indigenous communities is reshaping how science is communicated, and how storytelling helps students think more deeply about ethics in science.

🖖 Read the full interview: https://today.oregonstate.edu/all-stories/10-questions-diana-rohlman-associate-professor-and-senior-researcher-department

Diana Rohlman is an associate professor and senior researcher in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, and affiliate faculty in the College of Health. She facilitates community-engaged research with an emphasis on increasing environmental h...

03/17/2025

The OSU Environmental Health Science Center recently partnered with the Portland Harbor Community Coalition to host a virtual forum discussing the results of the latest chemical analysis of the Portland Harbor. Led by Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo, the study sheds light on unregulated chemicals present in the harbor's water.​

https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/our-research/research-highlights/portland-harbor-chemical-analysis

Over 50 community members participated, voicing concerns about health implications and environmental monitoring. They've addressed many of these questions in our newly added FAQ section.​

To learn more about the findings and their ongoing efforts, visit their updated webpage, where you can access the forum recording, presentation slides, and the FAQ section.​

Stay informed and engaged as we work together to ensure a healthier environment for all.

02/28/2025

Candles and Indoor Air Quality: What You Need to Know 🕯️💨

Did you know that some candles can release smoke and chemicals into your home’s air? Choosing the right type and following a few simple steps can help reduce indoor air pollution.

✅ Opt for unscented candles – even those labeled ‘natural’ or made with essential oils can release harmful compounds.
✅ Trim the wick to 1/8 inch before lighting to minimize smoke.
✅ Use a large glass holder to keep the wick steady and reduce uneven burning.
✅ Ventilate your space by opening a window or running a fan.
✅ Consider battery-operated candles for an even cleaner option.

Learn more about safe candle choices and reducing smoke in your home:
https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=choosing-the-best-candle

This page highlights our current infographics. All infographics can be downloaded as a PDF and used with appropriate attribution.

02/21/2025

Breathe easier this winter: Simple ways to improve indoor air quality

With windows closed and heaters running, indoor air pollution can build up. Keep your home’s air cleaner with these simple steps:

🏠 Indoor tips:
✔ Change furnace and AC filters regularly.
✔ Use ventilation when cooking or burning wood.
✔ Run AC or air purifiers on poor air quality days.

🌿 Outdoor air still matters! Check air quality reports and limit exposure to vehicle fumes when possible.

🔥 Wildfire smoke: While not a winter concern for many, it’s always good to be prepared. Learn how to protect yourself year-round.

See our full list of air quality tips in the infographic: Breathe easier this winter: Simple ways to improve indoor air quality

With windows closed and heaters running, indoor air pollution can build up. Keep your home’s air cleaner with these simple steps:

🏠 Indoor tips:
✔ Change furnace and AC filters regularly.
✔ Use ventilation when cooking or burning wood.
✔ Run AC or air purifiers on poor air quality days.

🌿 Outdoor air still matters! Check air quality reports and limit exposure to vehicle fumes when possible.

🔥 Wildfire smoke: While not a winter concern for many, it’s always good to be prepared. Learn how to protect yourself year-round.

See our full list of air quality tips in the infographic: https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/resources/infographics?slide=reducing-exposure-to-air-pollution

01/06/2025

Gracias por su interés pero tenemos suficientes participantes para los grupos focales.

¿Interesado/a en la salud ambiental?

Estamos invitando a miembros de comunidades de todo Estados Unidos a participar en un grupo focal en línea de 90 minutos por Zoom. Los participantes discutirán cómo prefieren recibir información sobre exposiciones ambientales que pueden impactar su salud. Cada participantes recibirá una tarjeta de regalo de $75.

¿Quién?: Adultos mayores de 18 años (no se requiere conocimiento previo). ¿Qué?: Una discusión facilitada de 90 minutos con 6-12 personas.

01/06/2025

Thank you for your interest but we have enough participants for the focus groups.

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡?

We're inviting community members from across the U.S. to join a 90-minute online focus group on Zoom. Participants will discuss how they prefer to receive information about environmental exposures that may impact health. Participants will receive a $75 gift card.

Who: Adults 18+ (no prior knowledge required)
What: A 90-minute facilitated discussion with 6–12 people