Environmental Public Health Division

The Environmental Public Health Division performs epidemiological, clinical and animal toxicological research to assess the impact of environmental exposures on human health by:

• developing and validating biological measures in all aspects of human health to better link exposure, dose, and health outcomes;
• conducting population-based and human clinical studies to examine a broad range of health outcomes and conditions associated with environmental exposures;
• conducting parallel human clinical and animal toxicology studies (especially involving the cardiopulmonary and immune systems) to assess the effects of environmental exposures;
• assessing the impact of environmental actions and decisions on public health outcomes;
• and collecting human samples and information as part of the overall research portfolio to provide foundation for collaboration with and a resource for other branches and divisions within NHEERL and ORD.
  

The Environmental Public Health Division also has responsibility for the Human Studies Facility and the Office of the Human Subjects Review Official within the Office of the Director.

• CLINICAL RESEARCH BRANCH
  The Clinical Research Branch provides expertise in the conduct of research to assess the effects of environmental exposures on healthy and susceptible humans in a clinical setting, with an emphasis on cardiopulmonary effects caused by ambient air pollutants. Physiological, cellular and molecular approaches are integrated to characterize the effects of environmental exposures, as well as to understand the mechanisms that underlie toxicity.
  
  
• EPIDEMIOLOGY BRANCH
  The Epidemiology Branch provides expertise in the conduct of epidemiology research, including field studies that integrate environmental, clinical and biological markers to better understand pollutant-related disease etiology and prevention, gene-environment interactions, and the impacts of risk management decisions on public health.
  
  
• CARDIOPULMONARY AND IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY BRANCH
  Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch provides expertise in the conduct of toxicology studies that assess the impact of environmental exposures on the cardiopulmonary and immune systems of healthy animals and animal models of susceptibility. There is currently a primary emphasis on exposures to ambient air pollutants.
  
  
• INHALATION TOXICOLOGY FACILITIES BRANCH
  The Inhalation Toxicology Facilities Branch has primary responsibility for providing the inhalation exposures for animals under carefully controlled conditions.

About NHEERL | Organization | Research Programs and Topics | Publications | Internet Resources | NHEERL Opportunities