The UAB Superfund Research Center
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that the 35th Avenue Superfund site, located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, be placed on the National Priorities List. The contaminants of potential concern identified by the EPA in this area include cadmium, arsenic, and manganese, which are being studied in the UAB SRC. The prevalence of chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma in children, and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) is significantly higher in the affected area compared to the neighboring control area irrespective of smoking, socioeconomic status, or demographics. The EPA is in the process of remediating the area, removing soil with high arsenic levels from several homes. The site is home to nearly 20,000 people who have felt the impact of the Greater Birmingham Area's legacy of pollution.
Our Structure and Goals
The UAB Superfund Research Center consists of three biomedical projects and two environmental/engineering projects that focus on both human lung health and the health of the environment. All biomedical projects involve direct study of subjects from the affected area with a focus on COPD, asthma, and LRTI. The environmental projects include the development and use of an optical "nose" to measure toxicants in the field. Remediation via nano-micro hybrid fibrous material for contaminant removal is being studied. The innovative, problem-based, solution-oriented UAB SRP is providing a deeper understanding of the health of the environment and directly impacting the lung health of the residents of Birmingham, Alabama.