EPA Announces $748,902 for Ohio State University to Examine Extreme Weather Impacts

Press release:

CONTACT: Joshua Singer, 312-353-5069, singer.joshua@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   No. 12-OPA072

EPA Announces $748,902 for Ohio State University to Examine Extreme Weather Impacts

(CHICAGO – August 27, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a $748,902 grant for Ohio State University to study the connection between extreme weather and water quality.

Ohio State researchers will study the relationship between water quality and extreme weather events that are projected to increase due to climate change. Increased flooding, excessive heat and prolonged droughts could harm water quality in Lake Erie. Researchers will examine how and whether harmful algal blooms, cyanotoxins and disinfectant byproducts in drinking water could threaten human health. This work will help to improve future water quality management.

“It’s important to understand how extreme weather events affect air and water quality,” said Bob Kavlock, deputy assistant administrator for science for EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

Over the past several months, EPA has awarded nearly $9 million to 14 projects to research and develop tools and technologies that help prepare air and water quality management systems for extreme weather. For more information about the projects: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/xevents.