University of Florida

Summary

The Superfund Basic Research Program at the University of Florida began in 1995. The theme of the program focuses on the health effects of chlorinated organic compounds and related Superfund chemicals. It consists of seven projects (four biomedical and three non-biomedical), which are supported by four research support cores (analytical, histopathology, biometry and aquatic toxicology). Also incorporated are the administrative, training, and outreach cores. The three general themes of the program (bioavailability, transport and metabolism; endocrine effects; and reproduction and development) are focused into several specific research areas in the biomedical projects. These include studies on the placental-uterine and prostate effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons (TCDD, PCBs), the toxicokinetics and human toxicology in children and adults of dichloroacetate and chloral hydrate (two metabolites of trichloroethylene), the effects of endocrine disruptors on autoimmune disease using a lupus mouse model, and the bioavailability of chlorinated compounds found in food employing a catfish model. The emphasis of the three non-biomedical projects includes endocrine disruption in wildlife species, specifically large-mouth bass and alligators, which also involves both field epidemiology and laboratory based studies.