The University of Florida plans to conduct interdisciplinary basic research on Superfund hazardous chemicals and environmental chemicals of emerging concern, translation of research findings to stakeholders in government, the community and industry, outreach of research findings to the community, and graduate training in environmental health sciences.

The overall theme linking the 5 scientific projects that form the research basis of the program is the study of the Health Effects Of Chlorinated Compounds. Research will develop advanced techniques for detecting, assessing and evaluating the effects of chlorinated compounds on various biological systems. Key areas of interest are endocrine, neurological and developmental effects of toxicants, and their bioavailability and metabolism. To achieve continuing interaction and integration of the research efforts, program personnel will meet at monthly seminars, quarterly meetings and an annual research retreat. Three biomedical and two non-biomedical projects are proposed, as well as two research support cores, analytical and aquatic toxicology.

The program will use an administrative core to coordinate and manage programmatic activities and a research translation core to communicate research findings to stakeholders, to develop improved risk assessments, and to encourage technology transfer. The outreach core will work with community groups in the Lake Apopka area who may be impacted by some of the chemicals under study. The training core will support 3 graduate students annually, whose research interests relate to the program theme. The research proposed offers an integrated approach to advancing knowledge regarding the impacts of chlorinated Superfund chemicals on human and ecological health.