The OSU/PNNL Superfund Research Center, directed by Dr. Robyn Tanguay, is part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program. The Center brings together multidisciplinary expertise from Oregon State University, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and other collaborating institutions to address the environmental and health challenges associated with hazardous waste sites.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants found at hazardous waste sites, in urban environments, and in emissions from combustion sources such as petroleum and wildfire smoke. These contaminants occur not as single chemicals, but as complex mixtures that can change over time and may pose risks to human health.
Our Center integrates multiple scientific approaches to better understand PAHs and their impacts:
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Identify PAHs and complex mixtures in the environment
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Study how PAHs change during transport, aging, and remediation
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Measure toxicity using zebrafish and human lung models
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Identify which mixture components drive harmful biological effects
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Develop models to predict human health risks from environmental exposure
Featured Resources
An overview of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their relevance to environmental and human health.
Downloadable materials that explain key concepts related to PAHs and the Center’s research.
Our Research Projects
Our research is organized across four interconnected Projects.
PAH Fate and Exposure
Identifies and measures PAHs and complex mixtures in the environment and tracks how they move through air, water, and soil.
Predicting Toxicity of PAH Mixtures
Evaluates the developmental, behavioral, and molecular effects of PAHs and mixtures using zebrafish.
PAH Health Outcomes
Uses a 3D human lung model to study how PAHs and PAH mixtures affect respiratory cells and contribute to toxicity, inflammation, and disease.
PAH Remediation and Transformations
Develops treatment strategies and identifies transformation products formed during remediation.
Integrated Research Strategy
These Projects are designed to work together. Environmental mixtures identified in the field are tested in biological systems, evaluated before and after transformation or remediation, and used to identify the components that drive toxicity.
Learn more about how these efforts are connected on the Integrated Research Strategy page.
Support Cores
Support Cores provide specialized expertise and infrastructure that enable the Center’s research.
Chemical Mixtures Core
Provides chemical analysis, standards, and mixtures for Center research.
Data Management and Analysis Core
Integrates, analyzes, and shares Center data across Projects and Cores.
Predictive Dosimetry and Metabolism Core
Connects exposure, metabolism, internal dose, and biological response.
Community Engagement Core
Builds partnerships with communities affected by environmental contamination.
Research Translation Core
Helps communicate Center research to agencies, communities, and other partners.
Research Experience and Training Core
Supports trainee mentoring, professional development, and interdisciplinary research training.
