Earlier this month, the heads of the state environmental and public health agencies announced the new members of the recently expanded Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board, which will examine new and emerging chemicals and the potential impacts to human health and the environment. The board of 16 experts in toxicology, public health, ecology, engineering and related fields will study ways to better project North Carolina’s citizens and environment from these new and emerging chemical of concern, including GenX and hexavalent chromium. CCEE Professor Detlef Knappe was chosen for his expertise in emerging contaminants in drinking water.

THIS ARTICLE IS REPRINTED FROM COASTAL REVIEW.ORG.  READ MORE HERE.

“We selected top talent from a robust pool of more than 50 candidates from across North Carolina,” Michael Regan, secretary of the NC. Department of Environmental Quality, said in a statement. “The panel we’ve assembled will provide vital long-term scientific guidance on how to best protect public health and the environment from emerging chemical compounds.”

Members of the Science Advisory Board will use their expertise to assist DEQ and DHHS by recommending reviews and evaluations of contaminants released to the environment; acting as consultants on DEQ’s determinations to regulate releases of contaminants; and assisting the agencies in identifying contaminants of emerging concern and helping determine whether the contaminants should be studied further. Experts on the panel will also help evaluate the human health impacts of exposure to hazardous contaminants, and give input to DHHS as the agency establishes health goals for emerging contaminants.