Hazardous Substance Research Centers National Site

Hazardous Substance Research Centers Map of U.S.

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How HSRC Regional Centers Work

The Hazardous Substance Research Centers program consists of five regional centers that provide:

Short- and long-term research on the manufacture, disposal, clean-up, and management of hazardous substances;
Dissemination of research information and findings;
Training, technology transfer, and technical outreach and support to benefit organizations, communities, and individuals involved with hazardous sustances.

Research supported by the HSRCs covers all relevant scientific and technological subjects except human health effects research (toxicology, epidemiology, etc.). Each HSRC is headed by a director responsible for the intellectual guidance of the consortium as well as for its daily operations. A technology transfer and training director oversees training and commercial application of center projects. Each of the five HSRCs serve geographic areas defined by EPA regions.

All five centers collaborate to form the National Hazardous Substance Research Centers Program. Each center has its own science advisory committee and technology transfer and training advisory committee set up to regularly review the progress of ongoing work and recommend funding of new proposals.

The regional HSRC centers, their university affiliations, and their areas of specialty are as follows:

Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments

States Served: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.
University Affiliates: John Hopkins University (lead institution), University of Maryland, Morgan State University, University of Connecticut, New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Technical Specialty Areas: Physical, chemical, and biological processes for detecting, assessing, and managing risks associated with the use and disposal of hazardous substances in urban environments.

Midwest Region

States Served: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
University Affiliates: Purdue University (lead institution), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Cincinnati, Michigan State University, University of Missouri-Rolla, Kansas State University, Howard University, Central State University, and Haskell Indian Nations University.
Technical Specialty Areas: Integrated remediation technologies that remove contaminants from the environment, restore ecosystem quality, and enhance site redevelopment options.

Rocky Mountain Region

States Served: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
University Affiliates: Colorado State University (lead institution), Colorado School of Mines.
Technical Specialty Areas: Extending knowledge of the geochemical, biological, hydrological/mineralogical and engineering aspects of environmental problems associated with mining and mine wastes and, based on this knowledge, developing new or improved methods or technologies that are cost effective and lead to clean-ups that protect human health and the environment.

South & Southwest Region

States Served: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
University Affiliates: Louisiana State University (lead institution), Georgia Institute of Technology, Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Technical Specialty Areas: Research focused on contaminated sediments and dredged materials, driven by regional and national problems with sediments, and emphasizing in-situ sediment processes and management.

Western Region

States Served: California, Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Idaho
University Affiliates: Oregon State University (lead institution) and Stanford University.
Technical Specialty Areas: The center's primary focus is groundwater cleanup and site remediation associated with chlorinated solvents. Research focuses on improving in-situ biological and chemical treatment processes.

To learn more about each HSRC center, click on the underlined title of each region or on the "Research Centers" button at the left index bar.