Each year, ERIS conducts one or more focused projects to address state research needs. Examples include a biennial state research assessment that is used to inform EPA of state science priorities; a PFAS risk communication clearinghouse developed in conjunction with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; and a wildfire smoke toolbox for state and local environmental agencies. Most projects are conducted in coordination with EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). ERIS and ORD resources can be found here, and see each project below for more information.
The Environmental Research Institute of the States
State Research Needs Assessments
Every two years, ERIS gathers priority state science research needs from the state environmental agencies and shares this information with U.S. EPA and others.
Resiliency Hub
With state environmental and health agencies regularly responding to disasters, ERIS has conducted projects with ASTHO to develop a resiliency hub, examine resiliency to complex disasters, and consider resiliency in vulnerable communities.
PFAS Risk Communications Hub
To help state environment and health agencies share important information about PFAS effectively, ERIS and ASTHO developed a PFAS Risk Communications Hub to share case studies, resources, factsheets, and examples.
One Health
ERIS and ASTHO have worked together to raise awareness of One Health through introductory webinars and case studies on how state agencies use the One Health approach in their work.
HABs Risk Communication Hub
ERIS and ASTHO worked together to develop case studies and to gather resources to help states communicate the risk of HABs with various audiences.
Wildfire Smoke
ERIS and ASTHO worked with U.S. EPA to provide state input on the Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials. Since then, state environmental agencies have continued to engage with the Office of Research and Development on wildfire smoke concerns.
Detection of COVID-19 in Wastewater
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, ERIS and ASTHO developed an issue brief on state environmental and health agencies testing wastewater to detect COVID-19.