This Week in EPA Science

By Kacey Fitzpatrick

Looking for a pie recipe that will amaze everyone next week at Thanksgiving? Well, you’ve come to the wrong place.

But now that I have you here, why not check out some of EPA’s science? Here’s the latest.

Sustainable Materials Management: At Your Fingertips
This week EPA released the beta version of the Materials Management Wizard web application, or “M-Wiz” for short. M-Wiz helps users navigate EPA-sourced tools and resources designed to support sustainable materials management decisions. Learn more about the tool in the blog Sustainable Materials Management: At Your Fingertips.

Pathfinder Innovation Projects
The Pathfinder Innovation Project (PIP) program encourages EPA scientists to think “outside the box” to solve challenging problems and rewards them with the necessary time and resources to develop their visions into viable solutions. Read the blog Transforming Science and Technology with Pathfinder Innovation Projects to learn more about the program.

Here are two PIP projects we’re highlighting this week.

Harnessing Smart Web Technology for Sustainable Chemicals
EPA’s David E. Meyer and his team are developing an automated application to gather and manage necessary life cycle assessment (LCA) data –how a product is produced, used, and handled at the end of its life—to quickly evaluate the environmental sustainability of chemicals. Learn more about this project in the blog Pathfinder Innovation Project – Harnessing Smart Web Technology for Sustainable Chemicals.

Using Zebrafish to Screen Air Pollution Sources for Health Impacts
Many studies have shown that particulate matter can affect heart health. These health effects are caused by chemicals within particulate matter, which vary depending on the air pollution source. EPA’s Aimen Farraj and his team are developing an approach using zebrafish to rapidly assess the cardiotoxicity potential of particulate matter from different sources. Learn more about this project in the blog Pathfinder Innovation Project—Using Zebrafish to Quickly Screen Air Pollution Sources for Potential Impact on Heart Health.

About the Author: Kacey Fitzpatrick is a writer on the science communication team in EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

 

from The EPA Blog http://ift.tt/2f7Urva