The University of Kentucky will receive a 12 million dollar grant to study hazardous waste sites and the effects of contaminants. The aim is to lessen the harmful health and environmental effects.
UK Superfund Research Center Director Bernie Hennig says part of the answer may lie in good diet and exercise.
"We're trying to study how nutrition, healthful nutrition, increased exercise, increased physical activity can protect against environmental insults, can protect against the contaminants ability to contribute to disease,” says Hennig.
Center Communication Director Anna Hoover says the grant also broadens statewide emphasis.
"In the past we've primarily worked with Paducah and McCracken County and with date weight in Harlan County and we've had relationships with some other communities across the state. This is going to allow us to even expand that reach further and engage more superfund sites,” said Hoover.
Kentucky is home to more than 200 federal superfund sites including 14 active locations. A Superfund site is defined as an uncontrolled or abandoned place where hazardous waste is located.
