Formerly ORISE Meets the World

This monthly webinar series features presentations from EPA members of Oak Ridge Institute for Science & Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), and EPA federal postdocs in addition to an invited speaker from industry or academia.

July 7, 12-1 PM ET

For the month of July, we will be joined by Megan MacDonald, an ORISE Research Fellow in the U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development and Dr. Zhanyun Wang from the Technology & Society Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA).

Megan MacDonald

Next Generation Emissions Measurements (NGEM) Advancements

Abstract:

Industrial facilities can emit hazardous air pollutants from fugitive leaks and process upsets that can go undetected for extended periods. A key to improved understanding and management of these sources lies in the development of Next Generation Emissions Measurements (NGEM) approaches that can detect emissions and enable efficacious mitigation strategies. This presentation reviews recent advancements in NGEM technologies through presentation of real-world field data acquired using EPA prototype and newly available commercial fenceline sensors. Advancements in near-source data analysis approaches using R-Shiny app are described. Use of these emerging NGEM tools to reduce near-source community exposures is discussed.

Bio:

Megan MacDonald has been an ORISE research fellow since 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in geologic science from Boston College and her masters’ degree in applied data analytics from Appalachian State University. At EPA, she assists with research involving fenceline sensor applications and develops R code for data analysis.

Dr. Zhanyun Wang

Time to Break the “Lock-In” Impediments to Chemicals Management

Abstract:

Despite enormous national, regional, and global efforts, the widespread use of many hazardous chemicals continues even after long knowing their significant risks to public and/or ecosystem health. This continued supply and use, despite strong evidence of negative impacts, is not unique to chemicals management. In the field of climate change, the concept of “lock-in” has been used to explain the complex interactions among economic, social, technological, and political dynamics that reinforce global reliance on the extraction and use of fossil fuels. Learning from carbon “lock-in” phenomena and through several case studies, this presentation explores the challenges of chemicals management from the perspective of lock-in and recommends possible ways forward.

Bio:

Dr. Zhanyun Wang has recently joined the Technology & Society Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA). As an environmental chemist by training, his research interests focus primarily on understanding the life cycles and risks of various anthropogenic chemicals in the technosphere and natural environment. He is also very interested in exploring novel and pragmatic approaches to advancing sound chemicals management, enabling a sustainable circular economy, and strengthening the science–policy interface on chemicals and waste.