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  2. EPA Research to Support States

Collaborative Projects with State Environmental Health Experts

Related Resources
  • Environmental Council of the States
  • Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
  • EPA-ECOS-ASTHO Memorandum of Agreement 
  • PFAS Research
  • HABs Research
  • Wildland Fire Research

EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) works with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to advance our shared mission. This mission is to protect the public's health from environmental threats and hazards and to advance environmental health for all.

EPA works with state partners on collaborative projects that focus on integrating environment and public health, through our Memorandum of Agreement. This page provides an overview of the collaborative projects. Additional information on the projects can be found on the EPA-ECOS-ASTHO Annual Accomplishment Reports page.

One Health

Since 2021, ASTHO, ECOS, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) have been partnering to promote and advance the One Health approach. They have hosted webinars, workshops, and an ongoing community of practice to focus on the environmental pillar of One Health and missions relevant to EPA, ECOS, ASTHO, and AFWA.

  • 2-part One Health Webinar Series
  • EPA Tools & Resources Webinar: One Health

In 2023, ECOS and ASTHO developed four case studies of state agencies applying the One Health approach to tackle environmental challenges. The case studies include lead in Idaho, harmful algal blooms in New Jersey, fish tissue monitoring in Georgia, and PFAS in Wisconsin.

  • Read the ASTHO One Health case studies
  • Read the ECOS One Health case studies

Sharing Lessons Learned on Resilience and Vulnerability to Complex Disasters

In 2022, ECOS and ASTHO hosted two listening sessions on resilience and vulnerability to complex disasters or environmental events with multiple interacting impacts. The summary document highlights lessons learned and offers a path forward for states and co-regulators.

  • ASTHO - Lessons on State Resilience and Vulnerability to Complex Disasters
  • ECOS - Lessons on State Resilience and Vulnerability to Complex Disasters

In 2024, ASTHO and ECOS partnered to gather information at regional listening sessions and share best practices for state and territorial health and environmental agency resiliency planning. Based on those discussions, ASTHO and ECOS developed a summary to assist health and environmental agencies in their planning process.

  • State Resiliency Planning Considerations

COVID in Wastewater Issue Brief

In 2020, ECOS and ASTHO created an issue brief summarizing activities and results in three states to introduce the use of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater as an early warning system for increased infections in communities.

  • ECOS - Detection of COVID-19 in Wastewater 
  • ASTHO - Detection of COVID-19 in Wastewater 

PFAS Risk Communication Hub

ECOS and ASTHO compiled existing tools, materials and strategies for a per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) Risk Communication Hub. Specifically, the PFAS Risk Communication Hub contains guidance materials for risk communication (toolkits, fact sheets, templates) and a collection of state and federal resources.

  • ECOS - PFAS Risk Communication Hub

Case Studies on State-Level Risk Communication of PFAS and HABs

In 2018, ECOS and ASTHO interviewed health and environmental agency staff about risk communication strategies and lesson learned for PFAS or harmful algal blooms (HABs). The case studies are compiled on both ECOS’s and ASTHO's websites.

  • ECOS - Case Studies on State-Level Risk Communication of PFAS and HABs

Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials

The Wildfire Smoke Guide provides states and local communities information to prepare for smoke events. When wildfire smoke is present, the guide provides information to communicate health risks and take measures to protect the public. ORD partnered with ECOS and ASTHO from 2016 to 2017 to "test drive" the guide and use their experience to provide input for the 2019 updated Guide.

  • Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials
  • Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires

EPA Research to Support States

  • State Environmental Agencies' Research Needs
  • ORD Meetings with States and Regions
  • EPA Tools & Resources Webinar Series
  • EPA Tools & Resources Training Webinar Series
  • PFAS Resources for States
  • EPA Research Partner Support Stories
    • EPA Research Partner Support Stories Compilation Document
  • Collaborative Projects with State Environmental Health Experts
  • Videos: EPA ORD Collaborations with State Partners
  • ORD's Key State Partners
Contact Us About EPA Research to Support States
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 12, 2025
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