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Science Questions
A primary goal of the leading-edge research undertaken by EPA is to answer the critical scientific questions facing the nation. The following are some examples of these questions, with links to information about how EPA is working to find solutions:
- How can we improve the water quality of the Blackstone River?
- Are Chronic Wasting Disease prions safely contained within a landfill?
- How can we assess the condition of our aquatic resources?
- Should a local government interested in gaining an understanding of sources of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions in their community rely on EPA's county level data, or develop their own HAP inventory?
- Can reductions in nitrogen loadings help the problem of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico?
- What is the concentration of mercury in the edible tissue of king mackerel?
- What are the impacts of invasive species on Lake Ontario?
- How can we provide real time water quality monitoring to the Long Island Sound?
- What research activities related to nanotechnology is EPA conducting?
- How can we assess ecological condition of waters on a regional or national scale.?
- How does EPA facilitate the planning and coordination of research which is relevant to the development of drinking water regulations?
- How can we best monitor aquatic resources?
- How can we develop rapid techniques to detect potential microbial contaminants at recreational beaches?
- How can EPA evaluate the large numbers of chemicals under its jurisdiction for which there are very limited toxicity data?
- How can concentration levels of endocrine disrupting compounds in ambient water, sediment and sludge be determined?
- What is the most important information needed about the performance of a commercial-ready environmental technology to speed its development and implementation?
- What scientific information describing vehicle and engine types is necessary to support EPA's ongoing effort to assess and reduce the public's risk to air pollutants from mobile sources?
- What is the background sediment quality in specific geographic areas of New England?
- How can we measure emissions from in-use motor vehicles and equipment under real world conditions?
- How does the EPA support the development of new methods to clean up hazardous waste?
- What new approach will help shape a sustainable future in a cost-effective manner?
- How can environmental information be used to help protect drinking water sources?
- What criteria can be used to establish improved aquatic life-uses that fully protect ecological integrity and that facilitate achieving the highest attainable use for each water body?
- What is the quality of the nation's air, water and land? Have environmental conditions improved over the long term?
- How can Maryland's most valuable remaining ecological lands be maintained and protected?
- What are ways in which EPA's National Homeland Security Research Center collaborates with other agencies?
- How can we achieve ultra-low pollution emissions, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve fuel efficiency of advanced technology vehicles a cost-effect manner?
- What is EPA doing to support the scientific analysis of environmental data and information?
- Can we identify and measure the potential risks to human, biological, and environmental health caused by contamination from urban and suburban watershed development?
- What levels of dissolved oxygen are protective of the different species in Chesapeake Bay?
- How can we determine when and where harmful algal blooms are most likely to occur?
- What does data collected under the Information Collection Rule (ICR) tell us about the occurrence of pathogens and disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water treated by differing techniques?
- How can the environmental perspective of public health issues be addressed while providing professional opportunities for public health professionals?
- How do we ensure that we have an adequate and well-trained scientific workforce that can address tomorrow's complex environmental needs?
- How can the quality of data generated by the EPA's research be assured?