Dr. Kelly Pennell, UKSRC Director and leader of Project 4: Fate and transport of contaminants in aging piping systems, alongside Dr. Anna Hoover, Project 4 co-leader, collaborated with researchers at Purdue University and Ohio State University on a recent publication titled: “Bystander Chemical Exposures and Injuries Associated with Nearby Plastic Sewer Pipe Manufacture: Public Health Practice and Lessons”. This publication highlights potential health risks associated with infrastructure repair approaches and identified changes for policy, practice, and future research that can help prevent or at least minimize human exposures and related illnesses when we use low-cost cured-in-place piping technology. 

This paper represents research collaborations aimed at understanding both scientific and stakeholder-driven questions to provide industry, public health, and environmental organizations with critical risk and prevention information.  Recognizing potential harms is the first step toward working across aisles to develop health-protective, cost-effective solutions. "When we know better, we do better." 

Citation: Noh, Y., Shannahan, J.H., Hoover, A.G., Pennell, K.G., Weir, M.H., and Whelton, A.J. (2022). Bystander chemical exposures and injuries associated with nearby plastic sewer pipe manufacture: public health practice and lessons. Journal of Environmental Health, 85(4), 22-31.