Please note: If you applied for a grant online or via email, please confirm with each of the grant managers below that they received your application. Due to the UMass Lowell IT outage, we experienced issues receiving emails to our turi.org addresses. Please use our UMass Lowell email addresses as noted:
Video: What are Engineered Nanomaterials? Uses and Hazards
Michael Ellenbecker, Professor Emeritus and and Co-Director of TURI, describes engineered nanomaterials, the types of products and industries the materials are used in and the hazards.

The TURA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is starting to review carbon nanotubes and nanofibers due to a petition received in June 2020 to list those substances.The SAB met remotely on Wednesday, June 30, to discuss the petition. For more information, contact [email protected].
TURA Shortlisted for International Award
The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) is among 12 policies from five continents shortlisted for the Future Policy Award 2021. 

Awarded by the German-based World Future Council, the prize celebrates the most effective policy solutions that minimize the adverse health effects of exposure to chemicals on human health and the environment. In total, 55 policies from 36 countries were nominated in November 2020. TURA is the only policy from the United States that made the latest cut. 
Founded in 2007, the World Future Council researches, identifies and spreads policy solutions that contribute to sustainable development.
“It’s a great distinction for Massachusetts that TURA was shortlisted for this international award,” says Jay Kaufman, founder of the Beacon Leadership Collaborative, who served in the Massachusetts legislature for 24 years. “To be recognized worldwide for an innovative policy that’s proven to work says a lot about Massachusetts as an environmental leader that supports the economy. TURA proved that you can have both.” Read more.
Toxics Use Reduction Planner Certification Course Begins in August
We still have a few seats available for the Toxics Use Reduction Planner certification course that begins August 13.

The course includes a six-week period to complete the asynchronous online training modules that cover all the fundamental elements of TUR planning. This is followed by a five-week practicum that features best practices presented by veteran planners and group project work using a real-world industry case example.

If you are interested in joining this year’s class, please fill out this brief application. If you have any questions, contact Pam Eliason.

Case Study: Martial Arts Facility Kicks Out Harmful Disinfectants
The owners of Family Martial Arts Center (FMAC) of Leominster, Massachusetts, identified a reliable source of cleaning and disinfecting products as they re-opened during the pandemic. While they needed to increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, they also needed to make sure that the chemicals they used would not expose employees or students to asthmagens or neurodevelopmental hazards. To learn about the solution working for FMAC, read the case study.
Action Plan for Growing Organic Grass
Communities and schools can accommodate a wide range of recreational activities on their athletic fields by building healthy, balanced soil and a strong root system. Organically managed natural grass fields serve as an affordable, practical and safer alternative to artificial turf. Organic maintenance practices can improve the health of soil and grass without the need for synthetic pesticides. Athletic fields with healthy soil and grass can withstand the amount of play needed by communities. Develop an action plan by following the steps in this fact sheet on organic maintenance.
Research Published on Safer Alternatives for Waters Corporation
Associate Professor Hsi-Wu Wong of the Department of Chemical Engineering at UMass Lowell recently published research results from a project for Waters Corporation located in Milford, Massachusetts. The research, which was funded by a TURI Academic Research grant, identified and tested the performance of safer solvents to replace the toxic chemical acetonitrile used in liquid chromatography applications.

The research team, consisting of TURI staff, Marian Twohig of Waters Corporation, Associate Professor Wong, a graduate student and an undergraduate student, found a safer solvent blend for use with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry detection of dye, food and environmental compounds. Read the article in Chromatographia Journal.
Principles for Chemical Ingredient Disclosure Released
This week a coalition of over 100 businesses, governments, health care organizations, investors, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) released the Principles for Chemical Ingredient Disclosure. The Principles were designed by a multi-stakeholder coalition with the goal of increasing access to information about chemicals in products and their hazards. Learn more at a webinar organized by Clean Production Action and the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2), July 14 at 3 pm.
TURA Program Strengthening Ad Hoc Committee Meeting on Fees Scheduled
The TURA Program Strengthening Ad Hoc Committee, established by the TURA Administrative Council, has scheduled a virtual meeting about TURA program fees on Thursday, July 22, 9 to 11 am. View more details and the agenda. For questions, please contact Tiffany Skogstrom.

View past meeting documentation: