Advertise on podcast: Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN): Internet Seminar Audio Archives

In response to one of the biggest emerging environmental concerns, ITRC formed the Microplastics Team in 2021 to develop the Microplastics Guidance Document. Plastics have become pervasive in modern life and are now used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. Microplastics may result from the degradation and fragmentation of larger plastics, or they may be intentionally produced for specific applications and products. Regardless of their origin, microplastics are now ubiquitous in our environment. Because of their small size and pervasiveness in the environment, microplastics, along with any other contaminants which are adhered to the microplastics, may be inadvertently consumed by humans and other organisms. The online ITRC Guidance Document is geared toward an audience with reasonable level of scientific understanding, but not microplastic-specific knowledge. The guidance provides a user with information on microplastics and the state of the applied science without having to go to the scientific literature. The target audience for the guidance and this training course includes state regulators and environmental consultants, as well as community and tribal stakeholders. The guidance and this associated training course uses a conceptual site model to navigate microplastics in the environment and explore the following general areas:An introduction to microplastics, their sources, and worldwide distributionThe pathways through which microplastics can enter and travel in the environment and their distribution in various media (water, soil, sediment, air, and biota) A current look at the most common techniques and best practices for sampling and analyzing microplasticsPotential human health and ecological risks associated with microplastics in the environmentAn overview of existing regulations related to microplastics and macroplastics at the state, federal, and international levelsExamples of prevention and mitigation strategies and best management practices to reduce microplastics from entering the environment and the emerging technologies to abate, treat, and remediate microplastics once they exist in the environment Identification of data gaps and the need for further researchSeveral case studies illustrating a range of current microplastics-related topicsPrior to attending the training class, participants are encouraged to view the associated ITRC Microplastics Guidance Document. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/Microplastics_100826/

The Vapor Intrusion 101 training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion (VI) and presents information from the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit (which includes fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists). This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of vapor intrusion, the process by which vapor-forming chemicals in contaminated soil or groundwater volatilize and migrate into buildings. The course will discuss sources, pathways, and receptors. It will identify and assess VI risks in various settings (residential, commercial, industrial) and familiarize participants with regulatory frameworks and guidelines (e.g., USEPA, state-specific regulations). The participants will gain working knowledge of how to develop a Conceptual Site Model (CSM), design and implement sampling strategies, establish data quality objectives (DQOs), and conduct data and risk evaluations. It will provide an overview of mitigation strategies, including various closure strategies, land use covenants, and institutional controls. Session 1 will focus on:What is Vapor IntrusionVI Exposure PathwayVI in Practice - including common CSMs, Scenarios, and ChemicalsPotential Limiting Factors for VI - PVI vs Chlorinated VI, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Building Operating ConditionsHow is VI Different & Challenges in Evaluating VI Session 2 will focus on:How VI is DifferentHow to assess VI - CSM, Sample Collection, Data Interpretation, Risk Assessment, and Project Life CycleManaging VI Risk at a Site - Mitigation, Remediation, MonitoringWhat does Closure look like & Various Exit Strategies The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources for VI sites. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://clu-in.org/conf/itrc/VI-introductory_092226/

The Vapor Intrusion 101 training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion (VI) and presents information from the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit (which includes fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists). This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of vapor intrusion, the process by which vapor-forming chemicals in contaminated soil or groundwater volatilize and migrate into buildings. The course will discuss sources, pathways, and receptors. It will identify and assess VI risks in various settings (residential, commercial, industrial) and familiarize participants with regulatory frameworks and guidelines (e.g., USEPA, state-specific regulations). The participants will gain working knowledge of how to develop a Conceptual Site Model (CSM), design and implement sampling strategies, establish data quality objectives (DQOs), and conduct data and risk evaluations. It will provide an overview of mitigation strategies, including various closure strategies, land use covenants, and institutional controls. Session 1 will focus on:What is Vapor IntrusionVI Exposure PathwayVI in Practice - including common CSMs, Scenarios, and ChemicalsPotential Limiting Factors for VI - PVI vs Chlorinated VI, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Building Operating ConditionsHow is VI Different & Challenges in Evaluating VI Session 2 will focus on:How VI is DifferentHow to assess VI - CSM, Sample Collection, Data Interpretation, Risk Assessment, and Project Life CycleManaging VI Risk at a Site - Mitigation, Remediation, MonitoringWhat does Closure look like & Various Exit Strategies The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources for VI sites. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://clu-in.org/conf/itrc/VI-introductory_090826/

Solid mining waste represents a significant quantity of waste material in the United States and around the world. Solid mining waste has a range of physical and chemical properties that make it both potentially valuable and potentially hazardous to human health and the environment. From a commercial perspective, mining removes most of the primary minerals of interest; however, waste materials can still contain valuable minerals and other materials that can be recovered. The different types of mining sites and potential wastes for reuse provide a significant challenge but also an opportunity for innovation. Improvements in extraction and mineral processing technologies have occurred over time making it possible to recover minerals present in low concentrations. Interest in trace metals and rare earth elements (REEs) has increased, especially with the drive towards renewable energy sources increasing demand for key minerals required for solar panels and batteries. The reuse of solid mining waste can consist of reprocessing and repurposing the waste for resource recovery or a new application or product. This reuse serves as a solution to two significant needs:a domestic supply of minerals and materials for sustainable development and national defense purposesthe reclamation and remediation of land to reduce risks to human and environmental health The ITRC Reuse of Solid Mining Waste training and guidance document is geared towards state regulators and environmental consultants, mining and manufacturing stakeholders, community and tribal stakeholders, and other who have an interest in the potential reuse of solid mining waste. The guidance and this associated training course includes:Mining wastes introductionConsiderations for reusing mining waste: waste characterization, economic and market considerations, life cycle and risk assessment, regulatory considerations, & stakeholder considerationsPotential applications for the reuse of solid mining waste: examples of construction, environmental, and industrial reusesReview of technologies used in mineral beneficiation and processing Additionally, the guidance includes several case studies illustrating a range of current mining waste reuse scenarios. Prior to attending the training class, participants are encouraged to view the associated ITRC Reuse of Solid Mining Waste document. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/MiningWaste_090326/

Groundwater Policy and Federal Facilities Overview is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) groundwater policies and guidance with emphasis on cleanups at federal facilities. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Identify EPA groundwater policies;Understand groundwater classification and beneficial use in restoration objectives;Understand nature and extent considerations from groundwater contaminant plumes;Explore applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) commonly associated with groundwater remedies;Identify groundwater considerations for monitored natural attenuation (MNA), institutional controls, and technical impracticability waivers; and,Discover information on major groundwater policies from other federal agencies, such as Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE).The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FFAcademy7_082626/

This orientation will provide a brief overview of vapor intrusion and introduce attendees to the 2026 ITRC Vapor Intrusion (VI) Toolkit and its many resources. The VI Toolkit includes the Vapor Intrusion Technical and Regulatory Guidance and a suite of fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists, all of which are individually available for download and use. Also provided is a series of YouTube Playlists featuring ITRC-produced videos and content from other organizations. Key topic areas addressed in the toolkit include:Vapor intrusion fundamentals and conceptual site modelsSite screening and investigation strategiesSampling and analysisData evaluation and risk assessmentModelingVapor intrusion mitigationCommunity engagement The Toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of vapor intrusion concepts, recommended practices, and decision-making approaches across a wide range of site conditions. The Toolkit replaces, combines, and updates three previous ITRC vapor intrusion guidance documents: Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guidance (VI-1, 2007), Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation, and Management (PVI 1, 2014), and Technical Resources for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation (VIM-1, 2020). It reflects advances in science, policy, and field experience, and is designed to support regulators, practitioners, and stakeholders in conducting consistent and effective vapor intrusion assessments. The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources, and upcoming live ITRC training opportunities that will provide more in-depth education concepts provided in the Toolkit. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/VI-Toolkit_072126/

This Progress in Research webinar series, hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP), showcases research from 6 schools funded by SRP in 2025. These awards were made as part of the P42 grant solicitation RFA-ES-20-014. In the two-part series, awardees will highlight their research projects, accomplishments, and next steps. The newly funded centers, including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Arizona, and University of Iowa, are bringing fresh ideas and approaches to tackle complex problems related to hazardous substances. The Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) SRP Center investigates whether the maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emanating from superfund sites, as well as other environmental chemicals, increases the risk of preterm births (PTBs) and augments major neonatal morbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The BCM SRP Center wants to determine the mechanisms by which PAHs contribute to PTBs and understand the factors that could be targets for interventions to prevent and reduce the health burden associated with PAHs present in Superfund sites. The University of Arizona SRP Center works to address the unique human health risks encountered in the U.S. Southwest, a region with a rich history of metal mining and generation of mine wastes. Their overall goal is to construct a mechanistic model of how chronic exposure to mining-impacted dust that is co-contaminated with metal(loid)s and fungal spores contributes to the development of nonmalignant lung diseases. They aim to implement this model to predict exposures and associated health outcomes, to inform public health prevention in communities neighboring mine waste sites, and design remediation-based interventions to exposure. The University of Iowa SRP Center focuses its research on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The center studies PCBs in the air, particularly in schools and those emitted from contaminated soils and water of Superfund sites. Researchers examine the health impacts of inhaled PCBs, particularly on adolescents, with a focus on neurodevelopmental and metabolic effects. The University of Iowa SRP Center's long-term goal is to develop recommendations to prevent and/or limit human exposure to airborne PCBs and to improve the health and well-being of the population. To learn about and register for the other session in this webinar series, please see the SRP website. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRPPIR27_071626/

This session focuses on applying phytotechnologies to contaminated soil and groundwater, covering key mechanisms and how to align plant species, contaminants (e.g., petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, metals, emerging compounds), and site conditions for effective treatment. Participants will learn practical design considerations, including hydrogeology, climate, and long-term maintenance, along with realistic performance expectations. Lessons learned in monitoring, system performance, and sustainability co-benefits, such as habitat creation and climate resilience, are emphasized to help teams design defensible, effective phytoremediation projects. Concepts are reinforced through real-world case studies demonstrating phytoremediation in practice. Attendees will explore applied case studies illustrating diverse uses of phytotechnology, including hybrid treatment systems for complex groundwater contamination, hydraulic plume control using deep-rooted trees, remediation of petroleum impacts in coastal environments, and large-scale natural treatment systems for nutrient management. These examples highlight both the opportunities and limitations of phytoremediation and provide actionable insights for determining when and how it can be effectively integrated into remediation strategies. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/PhytoinPractice_071526/

The Data Usability Assessment (DUA) is a defined process that considers whether data meet project data quality objectives (DQOs) as they relate to the decision to be made and evaluates whether data are suitable for making that decision. DUAs are critical to ensuring that Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) and munitions constituents (MC) data are of the right type, quantity, and quality to meet project DQOs. The project-specific requirements for conducting the DUA process are defined during the Systematic Planning Process and documented in the project-specific QAPP. This webinar will discuss the DUA process for both MEC and MC during remedial investigation and remedial actions. At the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to explain the purpose of DUA, identify the project team members required to participate, select the appropriate inputs, conduct the assessment, and document the DUA outputs. Presentations will be suitable for the varied M2S2 webinar audience, which typically includes government, regulator, and contractor attendees, and there will be opportunities for questions and discussion. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/m2s2fy26-2_062526/

Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute is a two-hour webinar course that identifies less formal options to address conflict before going to dispute under a federal facility agreement. This webinar provides project management tips and techniques to address disagreements early in the process . By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Identify factors that contribute to conflict when working with team members from different agencies;Learn how to prepare a team to handle conflict;Explore tips and techniques to improve communication and come to resolution; and,Understand when formal dispute should be considered.The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FFAcademy5_061026/

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) is presenting a training on the basics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemistry. This training supplements the ITRC PFAS Introductory training and ITRC Beyond the Basics Training sessions.  You can find ITRC PFAS training resources online at https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/pfas-training/. PFAS are an emerging group of contaminants that present unique challenges in many areas including: widespread use and presence in the environment, sampling and analysis, fate and transport, and remedial approaches. This training session will provide PFAS practitioners with an understanding of the unique aspects of PFAS chemistry that guide fate and transport, treatment, regulations, and decision-making on PFAS sites.    Key focus areas of the training include the following:Why are PFAS different from other organic chemicals?How are PFAS defined?How are PFAS manufactured and why does that matter?What are the differences between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances?What are the naming conventions used for the different types of PFAS?How are short-chain and long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) defined?What are precursors and why are they important?What are some of the unique chemical properties of PFAS and why do they matter?Resources and further details included in this training are in the  ITRC Guidance Document (PFAS-1). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/PFASChem_060926/

The Superfund Research Program (SRP) is holding a webinar to provide information about the continuation of the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42). The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), RFA-ES-27-004, calls for applications to establish P42 Centers, which support problem-based, solution-oriented research relevant to Superfund. The Centers consist of multiple integrated projects representing both the biomedical and environmental science disciplines. Center cores are also tasked with administrative (that includes Center’s leadership, data management and analysis, and training functions) and translational research and engagement, and as applicable, research support functions. The next application due date is September 25, 2026 (5:00 PM local time of applicant organization). On the webinar, NIEHS staff will provide information and answer questions about the P42 request for application (RFA) to address the broad, complex health and environmental issues that arise from the multimedia nature of hazardous waste sites. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-P42_060326/

This Progress in Research webinar series, hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP), showcases research from 6 schools funded by SRP in 2025. These awards were made as part of the P42 grant solicitation RFA-ES-20-014. In the two-part series, awardees will highlight their research projects, accomplishments, and next steps. The newly funded centers, including Oregon State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and University of Southern California, are bringing fresh ideas and approaches to tackle complex problems related to hazardous substances. The Oregon State University (OSU) SRP Center is driven to identify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment, to characterize their toxicity, and to specify the environmental concentrations at which they pose no threat to human health. The OSU SRP Center studies the composition of complex PAH mixtures, the changes in composition after remediation and natural attenuation, and the implications of PAH mixtures for human health. The University of North Carolina (UNC)-Chapel Hill SRP Center addresses serious public health challenges faced by communities in North Carolina and across the nation related to inorganic arsenic (iAs). The UNC-Chapel Hill SRP Center is working to identify these factors that would facilitate the development of novel solutions/interventions to reduce the prevalence of iAs-associated diabetes, as well as other diseases associated with iAs exposure. The University of Southern California (USC) SRP Center works to develop problem-based, solution-oriented scientific knowledge and innovative technologies to address the issue of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water contamination in Superfund and other sites. The USC SRP Center has the goal of specifically addressing PFAS in relation to their effects on liver disease and addressing urgent concerns regarding water quality and human health in populations affected by PFAS exposures and Superfund sites. To learn about and register for the other session in this webinar series, please see the SRP website. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRPPIR26_060126/

The FRTR 2026 Spring General Meeting, conducted as two web-based virtual sessions, provides an opportunity to share best technical practices and results of recent technical advances in understanding and characterizing contaminant fate and migration across the GSI. The first virtual session explores current scientific understanding of key hydrological and biogeochemical processes affecting contaminant distribution and transport across a GSI. This session also explores available methods and tools for characterizing contaminant migration across a GSI. The second virtual session provides an overview of recent advances in development of innovative technologies for GSI characterization. The session ends with a discussion of needs for further technological development. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FRTRSpring26_052126/

The FRTR 2026 Spring General Meeting, conducted as two web-based virtual sessions, provides an opportunity to share best technical practices and results of recent technical advances in understanding and characterizing contaminant fate and migration across the GSI. The first virtual session explores current scientific understanding of key hydrological and biogeochemical processes affecting contaminant distribution and transport across a GSI. This session also explores available methods and tools for characterizing contaminant migration across a GSI. The second virtual session provides an overview of recent advances in development of innovative technologies for GSI characterization. The session ends with a discussion of needs for further technological development. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FRTRSpring26_052026/