Collaborative research: environmental fate and impacts of quaternary ammonium compounds following increased use during the sars-COV?2 pandemic

The National Science Foundation awarded a $243,762 project grant to the Regents of the University of Minnesota under the Engineering federal grant program (CFDA 47.041) to support research titled "COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND IMPACTS OF QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS FOLLOWING INCREASED USE DURING THE SARS-COV?2 PANDEMIC." The three-year research project beginning May 15, 2021 will investigate the environmental impacts of increased use of quaternary ammonium compounds as disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the University of Minnesota team will analyze the presence of these compounds in wastewater and surface waters, and evaluate their effects on microbial communities and functions. The research aims to provide insights to help assess risks from long-term environmental exposure to these chemicals. The project directly addresses the NSF Engineering program's goals of supporting innovative engineering research with the potential to improve economic and social well-being.