Southeastern U.S. Contaminants of Emerging Concern Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) as chemicals or substances that may not have regulatory standards, are not included in routine monitoring programs, and could have adverse toxicological effects. These contaminants include perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and nanomaterials.
CEC levels are rising in the environment, drawing attention due to their unknown total toxicity to humans and wildlife. In the Southeastern U.S., rapid coastal changes highlight the need for interdisciplinary research on CECs. To address this, the Southeast CEC Program was established through collaboration between the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, University of Georgia Marine Extension & Georgia Sea Grant (MAREX), and the National Sea Grant Law Center (NSGLC). This program focuses on the climatic impacts on CECs, such as PFAS, in the region.
Current Grant-Funded Projects
Join the Southeastern U.S. CEC Network
Developing an interactive network is essential for advancing research and fostering collaboration in the field of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Originally created to connect professionals across the Southeastern U.S. (Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina), the network now seeks to expand nationwide. Its goal is to help identify key personnel and the specific contaminants being studied, creating a centralized hub for expertise.
By enabling researchers and end users to locate and collaborate with one another, the network strengthens collective understanding of CECs, their impacts, and strategies to close knowledge gaps. This collaborative approach is especially critical for U.S. coastal regions, where rapid environmental changes demand a deeper understanding of how these contaminants affect both human health and ecosystems.
Join the Network
This tool leverages Anecdata’s capabilities to help users explore the network of professionals working on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and the specific contaminants currently being studied across the U.S. It provides detailed information on each individual, including name, affiliation, areas of expertise, geographic location, contact details, funding sources, instrumentation, publications, and willingness to collaborate.
Contacts
Brooke Saari
Coastal Environmental Quality Program Specialist
brooke.saari@scseagrant.org
(843) 953-6406
Lola Renauer
Contaminants of Emerging Concern Graduate Assistant
lola.renauer@scseagrant.org
(843) 953-2078
Collaborators
Katy Austin Smith
GASG Water Resources Specialist
klaustin@uga.edu
(912) 262-3338
Catherine Marie Janasie
National Sea Grant Law Center Senior Research Counsel
cjanasie@olemiss.edu
(662) 915-7775
Stephanie Otts, J.D., M.S.E.L.
National Sea Grant Law Center Director
sshowalt@olemiss.edu
(662) 915-7714