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TechDirect's purpose is to identify new technical, policy and guidance resources related to the assessment and remediation of contaminated soil, sediments and groundwater.

Mention of non-EPA documents or presentations does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience.

Phytoremediation in Practice: Design, Performance, and Case Studies for Sustainable Site Cleanup from EPA Phytotechnologies' 2025 Technology Profile, July 15, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 UTC). 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. For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live.

SRP Progress in Research Summer 2026 Webinar Series: Session II, July 16, 2026, 3:00PM-5:00PM EDT (19:00-21:00 UTC). 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. For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live.

ITRC's Vapor Intrusion Toolkit Resources – An Orientation, July 21, 2026, 6:00PM-7:00PM EDT (22:00-23:00 UTC). 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. 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. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

Federal Facilities Academy: Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations, July 22, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 UTC). Determining Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of land use determinations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Reasonably anticipated future land use at CERCLA sites is important in determining the appropriate extent of remediation. Onsite and offsite determinations impact the need for permits and offsite transfer of CERCLA wastes. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives: Identify factors that influence land use determinations under CERCLA; Explore Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance and policy related to land use determinations; Learn about onsite permit requirements and exemptions at Federal Facilities; and, Understand off-site determinations and the Off-Site Rule and how these differ from on-site determinations. For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live.

SRP Research Brief 374: Dual-Action Bioaugmented Sorbents Optimize Groundwater Cleanup. A new study may help improve cleanup strategies for groundwater and sediment contaminated with persistent chlorinated organic pollutants. Funded by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program, researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County used modeling tools to better understand and optimize their cleanup technology that combines pollutant-degrading bacteria with an activated carbon sorbent, called bioaugmented sorbents. Legacy organochlorides, like tetrachloroethene (PCE), are hazardous chemicals that linger in soil and groundwater for decades. These pollutants pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health. To clean up these sites, scientists are exploring how specialized bioaugmented sorbents can capture contaminants while also helping the bacteria transform the pollutants into less-harmful compounds. However, combining the two treatments to optimize cleanup requires a precise understanding of how they interact and where there might be bottlenecks. To read the brief, please visit https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/srp/researchbriefs/view.cfm?Brief_ID=374

Technology Innovation News Survey Corner. The Technology Innovation News Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development. Recent issues, complete archives, and subscription information is available at https://clu-in.org/products/tins/. The following resources were included in recent issues:

• Northrop Grumman Bethpage Facility and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant Sites: Groundwater Plume Cleanup Update

Superfund Radiation Risk Assessment Training, July 6, 2026, National Harbor, MD. As part of the 2026 Health Physics Society Annual Meeting, the US EPA Superfund Radiation Dose Assessment class will be held on Monday July 6, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland. The course is an interactive, full-day advanced program that addresses specific technical and regulatory challenges faced by site managers (e.g., Regional Project Managers, On-scene Coordinators) and technical staff (e.g., risk assessors, health physicists) involved in managing sites within the US Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund remedial program. More information about the class may be found here: https://www.xcdsystem.com/hps/program/Ezv9ZOh/index.cfm?pgid=2899&sid=54463

US EPA and RAIS Screening Level Calculator Training for Chemical and Radionuclide Risk Analysis, September 14-17, 2026, Oak Ridge, TN. This training will primarily provide the participant with operational knowledge of key EPA and RAIS calculators. Additionally, the training and exercises will delve into the ability of the calculators to address site-specific exposures, unique toxicity assessments, and complex risk characterizations. In addition to classroom activities, tours are given of the Spallation Neutron Source facility, the High Flux Isotope Reactor, Frontier (ORNL's exascale supercomputer), and the Historic Graphite Reactor from the Manhattan Project. For more information and to register, please visit https://rais.ornl.gov/fall2026.html.

Call for Abstracts! RemTech Europe 2026, September 14-18, 2026, Ferrara, Italy. RemTech Europe 2026 International Conference and Exhibition on land and water remediation markets and technologies is scheduled for September 14-18, 2026 with in person and virtual participation options. The conference is free to attend. The call for abstracts is open with submissions from private companies due by June 30, 2026. To learn more about the event and submit an abstract, see https://remtechexpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CallForAbstracts_REMTECH-EUROPE_2026_rev1.pdf

Save the Date Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites (DCHWS) - West Fall 2022 Symposium - Denver, CO, November 17-November 19, 2026. The applications of engineering and science associated with cleaning up hazardous waste sites continue to evolve rapidly. DCHWS aims to facilitate an interactive engagement between professionals from government and the private sector related to relevant and topical issues affecting their field. This will be a 2 -1/2 day event, sponsored by Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Denver Metro Post (DMP) and US EPA, providing the latest techniques and challenges when working at Hazardous Waste sites. Calls for Abstracts are expected to open on July 10, 2026. For more information, please visit: www.dchws.org

Call for Abstracts! DoW Applied Innovation Workshop, November 30-December 4, 2026, Washington, D.C. The Department of War’s (DoW) Applied Innovation Workshop will bring together project teams, implementation partners, industry innovators, and students to enhance energy resilience, modernize infrastructure, and equip warfighters and installations with resources needed to fight and win in contested environments. Sessions and activities at the December event will continue to build on the momentum and outcomes from the March 2026 event. Abstract submission for the technical poster presentations now open to the public. Submissions are due Monday, August 3. To learn more about the event and submit an abstract, see https://www.dowinnovationworkshop.org/Posters.

NOTE: For TechDirect, we prefer to concentrate mainly on new documents and the Internet live events. However, we do support an area on CLU-IN where announcement of conferences and courses can be regularly posted. We invite sponsors to input information on their events at https://clu-in.org/courses. Likewise, readers may visit this area for news of upcoming events that might be of interest. It allows users to search events by location, topic, time period, etc.
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