Emory University has received $15 million to establish the first center dedicated to researching the health effects of toxic Superfund sites.
The new research center will study how contaminated sites affect the health of surrounding communities, with particular attention to sites across Georgia and the Southeast. The funding creates a long-term research program that will track health outcomes and environmental exposure.
Superfund sites, designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the nation's most contaminated locations, have been linked to elevated rates of cancer, respiratory disease, and other health conditions in nearby communities.
Georgia is home to multiple Superfund sites, including locations in metro Atlanta. The research center will work with affected communities to document health impacts and inform cleanup and remediation efforts.
The grant represents a significant investment in understanding environmental health disparities that often affect lower-income communities and communities of color.
