Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
through EPA's ToxCast and ExpoCast programs for the development and
evaluation of options for green chemistry and Design for the Environment. A
2011 workshop hosted by the NRC Committee on Emerging Science for Envi-
ronmental Health Decisions specifically explored applying 21st century toxicol-
ogy to green chemical and material design (NRC 2011).
The science and engineering tools and technologies for measuring, moni-
toring, and managing environmental and health data outlined in Chapter 3 can
provide essential information to drive sustainable solutions through prevention
programs. For example, data on chemicals used in media and sensing can be
important in setting priorities among chemicals, processes, and products for pre-
vention actions and for measuring results of such actions; toxicogenomics and
exposure data are critical for supporting design and evaluation of new technolo-
gies, comparing alternatives throughout their life cycles, and helping to avoid
unintended consequences; and crowdsourcing and social-media tools provide a
mechanism for sharing information about successful innovations and enhancing
existing technical support and demonstration efforts. In addition to traditional
environmental sciences, there is a critical need for behavioral and social sciences
in advancing the development and adoption of safer chemicals, materials, and
products. The data that these scientific disciplines provide are important inputs
for characterizing and making the economic case for new technologies, for un-
derstanding business and consumer behavior, and for effecting the behavioral
changes necessary to ensure such innovations take root in such a way that con-
sumer preferences recognize safer materials.
SUMMARY
In today's information age, explosive amounts of data are generated
through all kinds of media, for different purposes, and by commercial or re-
search organizations in both the private and public sectors. It will be a corner-
stone of the future of science in general, and EPA's future science in particular,
that EPA be able to harvest and synthesize the large amounts of data that tran-
scend geopolitical and scientific disciplinary boundaries. Taking advantage of
these data requires a variety of techniques, led by careful problem formulation to
ensure that the appropriate data are being collected or analyzed. It also requires
state-of-the-art capability in data integration and synthesis, particularly in the
areas of data-mining, and in modeling of biologic systems with biostatistics,
computer simulation, and other emerging methods. Although the committee
notes that it is imperative that EPA be conversant in the latest tools and tech-
nologies, a subset of which are discussed in this chapter, it also recognizes that
there are substantial constraints on resources. In many cases, building capacity
in new and emerging technologies can be achieved through strategic collabora-
tions and should not come at the expense of core disciplines relevant to its mis-
sion. These core disciplines include, but are not limited to, statistics, chemistry,
economics, environmental engineering, ecology, toxicology, epidemiology, ex-
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