EPA Research in Arizona

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 Arizona.

For more EPA work, see EPA in Arizona.

Helping Community Drinking Water Systems Find Cost-Effective Solutions to Treatment Challenges

Emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are challenging to drinking water systems across the country. Effective treatment for emerging contaminants can be unknown, difficult, and extremely costly. Working with the state of Arizona, EPA researchers are providing technical assistance to one small and two large community water systems with PFAS concerns to help them identify optimal, cost-effective treatment methods and optimize the long-term operation of their chosen technology. These efforts will also be used to develop best practices and performance and cost estimate tools so water utilities across the country can make informed treatment and operational choices.

Mitigating Rising Ozone Concentrations

Areas surrounding Phoenix are partnering with EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) to address an urgent issue of increasing levels of ground-level ozone, which cause health risks such as asthma attacks. People most at risk include children, the elders, and outdoor workers. Despite significant progress in reducing local precursor emissions, there have been recent increases in ozone pollution. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, through the Ground Level Ozone Research project, is bringing together air quality experts and scientists (including ORD and Region 9) to understand why ozone concentrations are not decreasing as much as expected. Read the EPA Research Partner Support Story: Mitigating Rising Ozone Concentrations.

Effects of Extreme Events on Contaminated Sites and Waste Facilities

The City of Phoenix was concerned about effects of rising temperatures and drier conditions on their communities, particularly as they relate to the risks associated with nearby contaminated sites. ORD, in collaboration with EPA Region 9, partnered with the City of Phoenix and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to find the most relevant data, build a suite of indicators and hazard maps, and create useful outreach and communication materials to share as part of the plan and more broadly with other regions and municipalities.

Heavy Metal Contamination from Abandoned Mines

Many Native American communities are impacted by mine wastes and heavy metal contamination from abandoned mines. There is community concern about how these contaminants impact human health and cultural practices. To help address these challenges, the EPA and NIH jointly funded the Center for Native American Environmental Health Equity Research from 2016 to 2021. The Center’s research results informed the work on exposure assessments to metals from private drinking water conducted among communities in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

Low-Cost Sensors Used for Participatory Science

ORD collaborated with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department to deploy a network of PurpleAir fine particulate matter sensors across Phoenix. The network was a great opportunity to understand air sensor performance in a new environment and answer specific air quality questions that have been challenging to address using the existing regulatory monitoring network alone.

Using Challenges and Prizes to Create Opportunities in Communities

Communities face their own unique environmental challenges and the people who are directly affected by these issues are often well positioned to help identify solutions. To harness this creative potential, EPA has used its Challenges and Prizes program to crowdsource creative, community-led solutions that help address critical environmental issues. As a result of this, the City of Phoenix conducted a direct outreach campaign to distribute heat relief supplies, share information about community cooling resources, and help connect residents to other critical social services including shelter, housing, identification, food, hygiene facilities, and transportation. Read Using Challenges and Prizes to Create Opportunities for Change in Communities.

Custom-Designed Cleaner-Burning Stoves to Navajo Homes

More than 60% of Navajo households use wood stoves for heat. The stoves are often very old, inefficient, and poorly vented, leading to high levels of indoor and outdoor air pollution and increased risk of fires. To combat these issues, EPA and partners have researched and designed a comprehensive stove replacement and home weatherization program that meets the needs of the Navajo Nation. Read EPA and Partners Bring Custom-Designed Cleaner-Burning Stoves to Navajo Homes.

EPA Scientists Evaluate Low-Cost Sensors in Phoenix

How reliable is data coming from low-cost air sensors? EPA is working with states, and local agencies such as the Maricopa County Air Quality Department in Phoenix to evaluate the ability of certain low-cost sensors to monitor pollutants under different environmental conditions. Read EPA Scientists Evaluate Low-Cost Air Sensors in Phoenix, Arizona.