EPA Research in the District of Columbia

Explore EPA's research across the United States.

EPA researchers are working hard to protect communities across the nation. Learn about some of the work EPA researchers are doing in the District of Columbia.

For more EPA work, see EPA in the District of Columbia.

Response to Ricin Contamination

Ricin is a deadly biological toxin that is easily produced from castor beans, making it one of the most worrisome biological threat agents. In response to an increase in ricin incidents occurring between 2013-2019, including an incident at the U.S. Capitol mailroom, EPA researchers in the Office of Research and Development developed innovative solutions that led to significantly shortened response times and decreased costs and resources required for ricin incidents. This work provided the federal government with important new capabilities for helping states and local communities respond to ricin incidents.

Cleaning Up a Subway Contaminated with Anthrax

A large yellow device sits on a wooden platform on a small metro track.

EPA's Office of Research and Development is a leader in improving the nation’s ability to cleanup buildings contaminated with anthrax or other biological agents. In recognition of the complexities that would be involved, and the number of cities that have underground rail system, EPA along with Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and several national laboratories turned their attention to the cleanup of subway systems contaminated with anthrax. At Fort A.P. Hill, researchers evaluated decontamination technologies that could be used in the event of an anthrax incident in a subway system.

Monitoring Technologies to Characterize Pollution Sources in Storm Sewer Discharge

EPA's Office of Research and Development, in collaboration with EPA Region 3 and the Office of Water, partnered with the DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) to conduct a field research study to evaluate the use of genetic fecal source identification technologies for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) outfall pollutant characterization in the DC area. In addition, EPA ORD provided technical support and training to DOEE staff to promote the local use of these methods for future stormwater management efforts.