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Project Code [2016-HW-MS-8]
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Project title
Furthering understanding of emissions from landfilled waste containing POP-BFRs and PFOS (FUEL)
Primary Funding Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
University of Birmingham
Lead Applicant
Stuart Harrad
Project Abstract
FUEL will: (1) screen leachate from Irish landfills receiving waste since 1990 for PBDEs, HBCDDs, and PFOS (the time point after which we judge that substantial quantities of waste containing target POPs would begin to enter the waste stream); (2) monitor air, soil, and groundwater for the 10 landfills with the most contaminated leachate, to evaluate the impact of such landfills on contamination of the surrounding environment (specifically air, groundwater, and soil); (3) conduct a series of controlled laboratory experiments to provide insights into the rate of and factors influencing leaching of PBDEs, HBCDDs, and PFOS from waste; and (4) carry out a preliminary desktop evaluation of the future fate of the burden of PBDEs, HBCDDs, and PFOS associated with material both present in and projected to enter Irish landfills. FUEL will contribute to national research capacity-building in Ireland via knowledge transfer between the internationally-leading POPs research group at the University of Birmingham and the National University of Ireland at Galway (NUIG). In particular, it will provide research training to a PhD student registered at NUIG. Both participants have excellent track records in publishing the results of their research and FUEL will conform to this trend. We envisage publication of 3 (maybe 4) publications in high-ranked peer reviewed journals and the communications budget will be deployed to ensure open-access publication. Research findings will also be disseminated to the scientific community via presentations at national and international conferences - the participation of the PhD student in this will form an important component of their training. Dissemination to the wider stakeholder community will be via the project website and a 1 day workshop. The EPA will also be provided with technical reports that parallel the planned peer-reviewed publications.
Grant Approved
�343,781.77
Research Hub
Healthy Environment
Research Theme
Health and well being
Initial Projected Completion Date
01/08/2019