PFAS on Cape Cod and Community Health Concerns

This fall, the STEEP webinar series, PFAS on Cape Cod – Connecting Communities with Science for Solutions, continues with a session focused on PFAS contamination in local drinking water and health concerns—offering insights relevant to other impacted communities across the country as well as researchers working at the intersection of science and public health.

Thursday, September 18, 2025

12:00–1:00 PM (ET)

Online

Register here

Featuring

• Laurel Schaider, PhD, Senior Scientist at Silent Spring Institute and a lead researcher with STEEP. Dr. Schaider will present recent findings on PFAS in Cape Cod’s drinking water and implications for environmental health.
• Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director of Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Cape Cod Coordinator for Silent Spring Institute. She will discuss community outreach efforts and how residents can reduce exposures and advocate for safer drinking water.
• Emily Diamond, PhD (moderator), Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island and a researcher with STEEP. Dr. Diamond studies how science communications shapes public understanding and policy support, with a focus on improving dialogue between scientists, communities, and decision-makers.

This webinar continues STEEP's focus on connecting scientific research with actionable information for community members, policymakers, and health professionals. A live Q&A will follow the presentations.

These events are free and open to the public. 

About STEEP: 

The STEEP Superfund Research Program Center, led by the University of Rhode Island (URI), is a collaboration between URI, Harvard University, and Silent Spring Institute. Local project partners include the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC); the Sierra Club, Cape Cod Group.; and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. This project is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

For more information, visit the STEEP website.