The U.S. EPA has awarded $2,499,579 in research grant funding to Texas Tech University for research on the behavior of perchlorate after fireworks events near water sources.
“Protecting our water resources and ensuring clean drinking water is one of EPA’s top priorities,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “With this research grant, Texas Tech University will be able to provide states and utilities with further knowledge on how to protect drinking water from perchlorate contamination.”
Perchlorate is a chemical used in rocket propellants, explosives, flares and fireworks. Perchlorate in drinking water can interfere with the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Prior research has investigated water contamination from fireworks, as well as the military and defense industries; however, EPA says there are gaps in understanding the magnitude and extent of perchlorate contamination before, during, and after fireworks are discharged around drinking water sources.
The awarded researchers at Texas Tech University will evaluate the relative impacts of perchlorate from fireworks on six drinking water sources across the U.S. including a groundwater source. Observations from the sites will be integrated into the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a public domain model, to expand its ability to assess the impact of firework-driven perchlorate emissions.
The research results will provide states and utilities with data on the behavior of perchlorate after fireworks events which could be used to determine whether any actions are needed to reduce exposure via drinking water.
The announcement comes shortly after a court had ordered EPA to take regulatory action towards perchlorate. On May 9 2023, a federal appeals court ruled that EPA must regulate the drinking water contaminant, almost a year after the agency said it would not regulate perchlorate.
