9. Science for Good: Tackling Lead, PFAS, and Clean Water Access

Today, we’re diving into the world of environmental health and clean water with a leader whose work is improving lives—especially the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable.

Our guest is Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, the Senior Director of Environmental Health and Water Quality at RTI International—a nonprofit institute committed to delivering the promise of science for global good. Jennifer is also the founding director of RTI’s CleanPlus® portfolio, which includes the award-winning Clean Water for Carolina Kids™ program. Under her leadership, this initiative has received national recognition for innovation, impact, and community partnership, including the EBJ Business Achievement Award for Project Merit and the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award.

In this conversation, we’ll talk with Jennifer about RTI’s mission and reach, her work to protect communities from harmful contaminants like PFAS and lead, and why her team is focused on ensuring clean water access—starting with children in schools and childcare centers.

We’ll also explore what utility companies can do to reduce exposure, how environmental health trends are evolving, and how you can support and connect with this important work.

Contact and connect with Jennifer: jredmon@rti.org 

RTI International: https://www.rti.org/focus-area/RTI-CleanPlus-environmental-testing  

Hold My Beer Study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.4c11265