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EPA Research to Support States

Collaborative Projects with State Environmental Health Experts

EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to advance our shared mission. This mission is to protect the public's health from environmental threats and hazards and to advance health and environmental equity for all citizens.

EPA works with state partners on joint projects that focus on integrating environment and public health, through our Memorandum of Agreement. This page provides an overview of the joint projects. Additional information on the projects can be found on the EPA-ECOS-ASTHO Annual Accomplishment Reports page.

PFAS Risk Communication Hub

ECOS and ASTHO compiled existing tools, materials and strategies for a per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) Risk Communication Hub. Specifically, the PFAS Risk Communication Hub contains guidance materials for risk communication (toolkits, fact sheets, templates) and a collection of state and federal resources.

Case Studies on State-Level Risk Communication of PFAS and HABs

In 2018, ECOS and ASTHO interviewed health and environmental agency staff about risk communication strategies and lesson learned for PFAS or harmful algal blooms (HABs). The case studies are compiled on both ECOS’s and ASHTO’s websites.

Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials

The Wildfire Smoke Guide provides states and local communities information to prepare for smoke events. When wildfire smoke is present, the guide provides information to communicate health risks and take measures to protect the public. ORD partnered with ECOS and ASTHO from 2016 to 2017 to "test drive" the guide and use their experience to provide feedback on future revisions.