Frequently Asked Questions about TOSC

Here are some of the questions we are often asked -- and their answers!

Who is eligible for TOSC assistance?

TOSC assists communities that have been affected by hazardous substance contamination -- for example communities are located near a hazardous waste cleanup site or whose soil or groundwater has been contaminated with a hazardous substance. We usually work with communities that have an organized neighborhood group to represent them. We prioritize work with communities that historically have been oppressed, are low-income, or that lack other resources for assistance.

As the Western Region TOSC program, our group works with communities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Micronesia, Marianas Islands, Nevada, Oregon, Samoa, and Washington are eligible. These are the states and territories within the US Environmental Protection Agency Regions 9 and 10. Communities located outside these regions are eligible for assistance from TOSC programs at other regional centers. You can visit the National Hazardous Substance Research Center for more information and links to other regional TOSC programs.

If you would like more information about working with TOSC, please contact us -- we'll do our best to help!

Is TOSC an advocacy group?

No. TOSC and TAB are educational programs, they help communities understand complex issues but do not lobby or advocate for specific solutions.

Where is TOSC working now?

Descriptions of some of the communities where TOSC is working are available on this website. The descriptions provide examples of the types of things TOSC can do for a community.

Who works for TOSC?

TOSC is staffed by technical assistance specialists and scientists and engineers at Oregon State University. Employees have experience in:

  • environmental engineering
  • chemistry
  • toxicology
  • risk assessment
  • hazardous waste and Superfund regulations
  • environmental justice

Short biographies are primary staff members are available on this website.

Who pays for the TOSC program?

A grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response pays for the TOSC program. The grant was awarded to our parent organization, the Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center (WRHSRC) in 2001 and will last for five years. TOSC staff are employees of Oregon State University and do not represent the USEPA.

What's the difference between TOSC and another program we've heard about, Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities (TAB)?

TOSC assists communities affected by hazardous waste sites or other types of environmental contamination.

TAB assists communities hoping to cleanup and redevelop brownfields - properties that have been damaged or undervalued by real or perceived environmental contamination. To learn more about TAB -- visit out Western Region TAB website.

Link to more information about working with us --