Home | Superfund Research Program

Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Metal Olfactory Injury in Salmon ❯

Salmon rely on smell to survive. New research shows that exposure to metals like cadmium impair that sense, threatening salmon survival.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Cadmium Neurotoxicity ❯

Exposing mice to cadmium to generate blood levels similar to those found in the general human population resulted in cognitive impairment.

Role of Paraoxonases (PONs) in Modulating Cadmium and Manganese Neurotoxicity ❯

People respond to contaminant exposures in different ways, depending, in part, on the levels of protective enzymes that they produce.

Arsenic in Shallow Unstratified and Seasonally Stratified Urban Lakes: Mobility, Bioaccumulation and Ecological Toxicity ❯

Contaminated shallow lakes have more arsenic in their water than contaminated deeper lakes, meaning higher risk for humans.

Community Engagement Core ❯

UW SRP’s Community Engagement Core builds capacity and connections.

Overview

The University of Washington Superfund Research Program, titled "Effects-Related Biomarkers of Environmental Neurotoxic Exposures," is an interdisciplinary program that conducts and communicates research on the impacts of metal neurotoxicity on human and ecological health.

Our research focuses upon metals that commonly occur at Superfund hazardous waste sites for which there are important data gaps impeding the full understanding of their neurotoxic effects on human and ecological health. The physiological processes we study include adverse effects on cognition, olfaction and neurobehavioral processes, and are associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer's and non-Alzheimer's related dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodevelopmental diseases.

Latest News

Scientists concerned over arsenic levels in local lakes

September 26, 2021 | KIRO 7 | Featured: Jim Gawel and Rebecca Neumann | View

Video: Arsenic makes these south Puget Sound fish unsafe to eat

September 23, 2021 | UW News | Featured: Jim Gawel and Rebecca Neumann | View

THE RIVER THAT MADE SEATTLE: INTERVIEW WITH BJ CUMMINGS AND JAMES RASMUSSEN

June 21, 2021 | Peace Lutheran Church | Featured: BJ Cummings | View

Community groups oppose slated change to Duwamish River cleanup

April 14, 2021 | Real Change News | Featured: Tom Burbacher | View

For the Duwamish tribe, Seattle's first people, injustice echoes today

November 9, 2020 | King 5 News | Featured: BJ Cummings | View