Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute

The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was established in 1989 when the Toxics Use Reduction Act was passed by the legislature. The Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) is implemented by three state agencies: the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), the Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA), and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). TURI is located at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA.[1]

Mission

The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell works to help make the Commonwealth a safer and more sustainable place to live and work by reducing the use of toxic chemicals. Established by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) of 1989, TURI supports businesses, municipalities, and community organizations through research, education and training, technical assistance, laboratory services, grant programs, and science based policy support.[2]

Relationship with the University of Massachusetts Lowell

TURI is located at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell or UML) in downtown Lowell at the Boott Mills. Through this relationship, TURI collaborates with faculty, staff, and academic departments to support applied research, training, and workforce development related to toxics use reduction (TUR) and safer chemical practices.

TURI provides learning opportunities for UML undergraduate and graduate students through internships, practicums, research assistantships, and capstone projects. Students participate in applied research, laboratory activities, data analysis, and outreach projects aligned with TURI’s mission. These experiences support workforce development related to TUR and safer chemical practices.

Programs and activities

TURI conducts applied research and alternatives assessments to evaluate safer chemical substitutes, emerging technologies, and pollution prevention strategies. Research activities emphasize real world performance, feasibility, and exposure reduction, and are used to inform technical assistance, guidance materials, and policy analysis related to toxics use reduction in Massachusetts.

TURI provides technical assistance to businesses, municipalities, and community organizations to support the identification and implementation of safer chemical practices. Assistance includes guidance on chemical alternatives, process improvements, and compliance with toxics use reduction requirements.

TURI's grant programs for research, businesses, and communities support innovation, demonstration projects, and the adoption of safer technologies across multiple applications and sectors.

Laboratory services

TURI’s infrastructure includes a laboratory composed of wet chemistry, analytical, demonstration, and biosafety level 2 (BSL 2) microbiology laboratory spaces. Laboratory staff provide free, hands-on technical assistance to Massachusetts companies, municipalities, and communities to help identify, evaluate, and implement safer chemical alternatives appropriate for their processes and needs.

The laboratory also offers third party, fee for service performance testing for manufacturers and or businesses seeking data to support ecolabel certifications such as EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, and EcoLogo, to substantiate marketing claims, or to meet vendor performance standards for their chemical formulations, devices, and or technologies. TURI has been contracted by national pollution prevention organizations and companies to conduct technical performance testing, which is offered at no cost to Massachusetts stakeholders.[3]

Policy and governance

TURI supports the TURA Science Advisory Board, a statutory body composed of experts appointed by the Governor with backgrounds in chemistry, toxicology, public health, environmental science, and related fields. The Science Advisory Board reviews petitions to add or remove chemicals from the TURA list of toxic or hazardous substances and provides scientific and technical advice on chemical hazard designation and other TURA-related issues when requested.

TURI also provides the required training for employees and consultants to become certified as Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Planners by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).


See also

References

  1. ^ "Home". turi.org.
  2. ^ https://www.turi.org/about-us/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ https://www.turi.org/lab/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)


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