September is National Preparedness Month
EPA scientists and engineers are working to protect human health and the environment in the face of emergencies and natural disasters. Below you can learn more about some of EPA’s research to prepare for and respond to these threats.
EPA is currently responding to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and
Maria. For the latest information, see EPA’s Hurricane Response page.
There are over twenty wildfires currently burning in the United States. Each one can have tremendous health and environmental effects. EPA recently updated the 2016 Wildfire Smoke: Guide for Public Health Officials (PDF), an outline of whose health is most affected by wildfire smoke, how to reduce exposure to smoke, what public health actions are recommended, and how to communicate air quality to the public.
Protecting communities from wildfire smoke starts with figuring out who is at risk. EPA scientists created the Community Health Vulnerability Index to identify communities at risk from wildfire smoke. Health officials can use the tool, together with air quality models, to protect the health of people living in areas where air quality is impaired, either by wildfire smoke or other sources of pollution.
You can help EPA prepare for the impacts of wildfire smoke. Download the Smoke Sense mobile app to help EPA researchers learn more about the effects of wildfire smoke and develop communications strategies that
protect the public during smoky days. You can also use the app to learn about wildfires and smoke health risks in your area.
Parts of the Northeastern United States are still
recovering from Hurricane Sandy. EPA is helping a community in Rhode Island develop
strategies to protect them from future extreme weather events. Part of this effort includes working with partners to build a “living
shoreline” and improving marsh condition to better withstand
flooding.
Our nation’s drinking water systems can be vulnerable to industrial accidents, natural disasters, or intentional attacks. To better protect—and if necessary, decontaminate—these systems, EPA researchers have partnered with the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory to build the Water Security Test Bed. It’s the nation’s first full-scale, above-ground drinking water distribution system.
Disasters can have devastating consequences for human health and the environment. While not all disasters can be prevented, the potential harms and risks they pose can be mitigated with the right tools and actions. EPA scientists put together an inventory of tools that can help communities become more resilient to disasters.
Decontamination doesn’t have to be high-tech. EPA researchers found that using off-the-shelf humidifiers with 3% or 8% aqueous hydrogen peroxide vapor solutions for one week are effective for decontaminating most materials contaminated with an anthrax surrogate. Researchers used the method in a test house to determine the most promising solutions for home and business owners.
In large cities, underground transportation systems are a part of everyday life. In the event of a biological incident, a rapid return to service of these critical infrastructure systems is necessary. That's why EPA is collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security to improve the recovery capabilities for a subway system.
Preparing for a widespread biological incident is difficult in a densely populated place like New York City. That’s why researchers from EPA and the Sandia National Lab are helping the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene prepare an environmental response and remediation plan for incidents such as the release of anthrax. In addition to improving preparedness, the plan also provides a response and remediation framework for other metropolitan areas across the country.
Meet Our Researchers
 Meet EPA Engineer Paul Lemieux, Ph.D.
Paul Lemieux's research focuses on clean up after chemical, biological, and radiological attacks and foreign animal disease outbreaks. He has been with EPA for 30 years studying the formation and control of pollutants from combustion and incineration systems. Learn more about his work.
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Events
Webinar: Decision Support Methodology for Small Systems to Evaluate and Select Treatment Technologies
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 | 2:00 PM ET
Learn about two EPA-funded National Research Centers for Small Drinking Water Systems: The Design of Risk Reducing, Innovative Implementable Small System Knowledge Center at the University of Colorado Boulder and the Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems Center at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. These centers are developing and demonstrating innovative technologies to better reduce, control, and eliminate groups of chemical or microbial contaminants in small water systems. Register here.
Webinar: 2017-2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Phase I Solicitation
Thursday, September 28, 2017 | 2:00 PM ET
Join EPA for an informational
webinar on EPA’s 2017-2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I
solicitation. Learn about EPA’s SBIR program, this year’s solicitation topics,
and how to apply for an SBIR contract. Program experts will be
available to answer questions during a question & answer session
following the presentation. Register here.
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