Environmental Health Sciences Center

09/22/2026

Did you know that small aircraft remain the largest source of airborne lead emissions in the United States?

Research led by center member Dr. Alyssa Shiel of Oregon State University and Dr. Dean Atkinson of Portland State University found elevated lead levels in neighborhoods near the Hillsboro and Troutdale airports, where piston-engine aircraft continue to use leaded aviation gasoline. By analyzing tree moss, which acts as a natural air monitor, researchers found evidence that aviation fuel is the primary source of lead contamination near these airports.

Read more about the research and access community resources on the EHSC website: https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/our-research/research-highlights/leaded-aviation-gas

The study's findings, published in Nature Communications Sustainability, have recently been featured in regional and national news outlets, including Inside Climate News and KGW. The research is helping inform conversations about reducing lead emissions and protecting community health.

https://www.kgw.com/article/tech/science/environment/lead-pollution-concerns-raised-hillsboro-airport/283-bf03bd9d-03d1-4cf7-bb8a-f42899ee18cd

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06092026/oregon-small-airports-lead-risk/

https://www.morningagclips.com/leaded-aviation-gas-drives-up-lead-levels-near-regional-airports-raising-health-concerns-new-study-finds/

08/05/2026

Dr. Jamie DeWitt, our Center director, was recently quoted in a New York Times Wirecutter article discussing PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals." The article highlights practical ways to limit exposure to PFAS, a group of persistent chemicals found in many everyday products.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/how-to-limit-exposure-to-forever-chemicals/

There are thousands of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” Here’s what you need to know and how to limit your exposure.

07/30/2026

Dr. Rohlman, in collaboration with Drs. Ho (OSU) and Shannon (OHSU) received $30,000 from the Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer’s Research. This pilot project will study thousands of Oregonians enrolled in the Healthy Oregon Project to understand whether exposure to wildfire smoke increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia-related symptoms. The results will provide new insights into wildfire smoke as a potentially preventable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

06/22/2026

We are pleased to share that we have received continued funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, to support the Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research at Oregon State University.

Our Center brings together researchers, community partners, and public health professionals to study how environmental factors such as chemical exposures, wildfire smoke, and other contaminants interact with human biology. Our work focuses on identifying exposures, understanding how they affect health, and improving how that information is shared and used in real-world settings.

This support allows us to continue coordinated work across our research projects and support cores, including exposure assessment, biological response research, and community-engaged efforts. Together, these activities help us generate evidence that can guide exposure reduction strategies, inform public health responses, and support communities in understanding environmental health risks.

05/14/2026

In anticipation of an award, the PNW EHSC is bringing back pilot project grants to support new environmental health science research ideas and provide priority access to our Center's Core services.

Please note that these dates are subject to change pending OSU's receipt of the NIEHS award.

Just-In-Time Pilot Grant.
This grant will only be available to OSU-based Center members for this cycle. Letter of intent due June 26, 2026; funding decisions by July 2026. Awards must be completed by December 31, 2026. Eligible projects should have an environmental health focused aim can be completed in 4-6 months.

Vanguard Pilot Grant.
All Center member are eligible. Letter of intent due November 1, 2026; funding decisions by January 2027.

Visit https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/research-support/pilot-projects for more details on these award opportunities and to apply.

Support Cores Community Engagement Core > Community Advisory Board > Dissemination Toolkit Translational Research Support Core Zebrafish Biomedical Research Core > Zebrafish Order Form Chemical Exposure Core Administrative Core Pilot Projects Program > Pilot Project Awardees > Pilot Project FAQs Per...

05/01/2026

What does it take to understand how our environment shapes our health over time?

Researchers are increasingly using the concept of the “exposome” to study the full range of environmental exposures people experience across their lives. This includes everything from air pollutants and chemicals to the many everyday factors that influence health.

A recent article from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) highlights how advances in analytical chemistry, data science, and biological testing are helping researchers better capture these complex exposure patterns. By combining detailed chemical measurements with tools that evaluate potential health effects, scientists are building a more complete picture of how exposures relate to disease and well-being.

For environmental health research, this approach supports more comprehensive and realistic assessments of risk—moving beyond single chemicals to better reflect real-world conditions.

Read more from PNNL:

Scientists equipped research subjects with wristbands to measure many factors that contribute to their exposome.

04/30/2026

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀.

Community members living near a wood treatment facility partnered with researchers to investigate reported odors and potential health risks. Using passive air samplers and silicone wristbands, the study measured 64 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in both outdoor air and personal exposure.

The results showed higher PAH levels closer to the facility, with strong agreement between environmental and personal measurements. These findings align with what residents have long reported and help clarify how local sources contribute to everyday exposure. The site has since been designated as a Superfund site.

This project is part of a broader community-engaged effort that includes sharing results back with participants and supporting conversations about exposure, risk, and next steps. By combining measurement with communication, the work helps make complex environmental data more useful and accessible.

These findings were recently published:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128103

Learn more about the West Eugene collaboration:
https://ehsc.oregonstate.edu/our-research/research-highlights/west-eugene-air-quality-collaboration

Research Highlights Contaminants in the Columbia River Basin Researcher Highlight: Brandon Pearson, PhD Lead-Sheathed Telephone Cables in Older Neighborhoods Portland Harbor Chemical Analysis West Eugene Air Quality Collaboration Report-Back of Research Results Wildfire Smoke and Infant Health Expos...

03/31/2026

Veronica Irvin, Endowed Professor in Public Health at Oregon State University and EHSC member, was recently interviewed for the “10 Questions With…” series published by OSU Today. The piece describes her community‑engaged research approach, including efforts to support safe drinking water for well owners and to reduce environmental exposures that can affect underserved communities. The interview underscores her commitment to translating environmental health science into practical interventions that improve real‑world health outcomes.

10 Questions With… Veronica Irvin, Celia Strickland Austin and G. Kenneth Austin III endowed professor in public health. Irvin uses a community-engaged approach to develop, implement and evaluate behavior change programs across a list of health priorities, including breast cancer and environmental...