Tackling PFAS for a Sustainable Future: Advancing Science and Policy

The event will begin with a social and networking hour at 3:00 PM where hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served. A two-hour program of expert panel discussions will begin at 4:00 PM. PFAS—also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or "forever chemicals"—are a group of chemicals widely used in an array of consumer goods, from stain-resistant textiles and firefighting foam to medical devices and food packaging. Largely unregulated for the duration of their existence, these chemicals are now known to cause a range of health impacts on living beings even in small amounts. PFAS have been found in municipal drinking water across the US and in the blood of nearly every person on the planet. After a day-long, expert-only workshop on the future of PFAS research at U of A hosted by the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy will host a public-facing symposium dedicated to explaining advances in the science and management of these widespread chemicals. The public symposium will follow the below program: 1) Welcome from Andrea K. Gerlak, Udall Center Director and U of A Professor of Geography, and Elliott Cheu, U of A Interim Senior VP of Research and Innovation 2) Introduction to PFAS: What are they and why should we care? An overview from Drs. Adrienne Brown and Gina Gilson, U of A Postdoctoral Researchers at the Udall Center 3) Panel 1: Advances in the Science of PFAS Moderated by Cherie L. DeVore (Diné), U of A Asst. Prof. of Chemical and Environmental Engineering Jennifer Schlezinger, Boston University School of Public Health, Prof. of Environmental Health Bo Guo, U of A Assoc. Prof. of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Mark L. Brusseau, U of A Prof. of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Science Melissa Furlong, U of A, Asst. Prof in the College of Public Health 4) Panel 2: Future Directions in PFAS Governance Moderated by Sharon Megdal, Director of the U of A Water Resources Research Center Dianne Barton, Tribal PFAS Working Group and Chairwoman of the National Tribal Toxics Council Matthew Narter, Senior Hydrologist, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water Gemma Smith, U of A Asst. Prof. of Government and Public Policy Additional speakers TBA. Event partners and sponsors include the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center; the University of Arizona Health Sciences; the U of A Office of Research, Innovation & Impact; the Water Resources Research Center; the Arizona Institute for Resilience; the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health; and the France-Arizona Institute for Global Grand Challenges. You won't want to miss this opportunity to engage with and have your questions answered by leading experts on the topic of PFAS and the governance thereof! Space is limited and registration is required so SAVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2683235-0

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