The health and environmental effects research program serves as EPA’s focal point for scientific research on the effects of contaminants and environmental stressors for both human health and ecosystem integrity. This research helps the Agency identify and understand the processes that affect our health and environment, and helps EPA evaluate the risks that pollution poses to humans and ecosystems.
EPA Provides Methods for Studying Genetically Modified Pollen
A recent issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports the results of a study on the ability of a genetically modified (GM) grass, bentgrass, to transfer its genes in the environment. In this study EPA scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, tracked the transfer of genes from experimental plots of GM bentgrass to native grass. Results showed genes from the genetically modified bentgrass were transferred as far as 13 miles from the experimental plots though most gene transfer occurred within 2 miles of the experimental plots.
read more
Great Rivers Study
EPA has embarked on one of the most comprehensive scientific surveys ever to be conducted on three great rivers that will provide the tools needed to help states better manage and protect these important national resources. This survey will provide the information needed to check the health status of the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers, three major waterways that link the upland streams of the Central Basin to the Gulf of Mexico.
read more
EPA and the Centers for Disease Control Collaborate on Freshwater Data Collection
The NEEAR (National Epidemiological and Environmental Assessment of Recreational) Water Study is a collaboration between the U.S. EPA and the Centers for Disease Control. It documents human health effects (gastroenteritis and other illnesses) associated with recreational water use. This summer (June 26) designates the start date for the final year of freshwater data collection that will continue until September 6, 2004 at Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana and Silver Beach, St. Joseph, Michigan.
read more
Environmental Influences on the Induction and Incidence of Asthma Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to bring together experts from a variety of scientific disciplines in order to review the latest scientific evidence with respect to factors that may contribute to the induction and therefore increased incidence of asthma and to address two broad questions: 1) What does the science suggest that regulatory and public health agencies could do now to reduce the incidence of asthma, and 2) What research is needed to improve our understanding of the factors that contribute to the induction of asthma and improve our ability to manage this problem in the future?
read more
Healthy Communities and Ecosystems, was held
June 1-3, 2004. The forum was co-led by EPA organizations working together to
develop a program that demonstrates the importance of promoting science
collaboration and moving the results of our scientific efforts into
action. The forum's three key scientific topics were:
Science and Innovation to Protect Health and Environment
Delivering Science-Based Information to Decision Makers
A Framework for a Computational Toxicology Research Program in ORD
A Framework for a Computational Toxicology Research Program
"A Framework for a Computational Toxicology Research Program" was crafted by a Technical Writing Team with representatives from all of ORD's Laboratories and Centers. The document describes a framework for the development of a program within ORD to utilize approaches derived from modern computational methods, molecular biology, and systems biology to address the questions of when and how to test specific chemicals for hazard identification and to improve quantitative dose-response assessment.
read more
A recent issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports the results of a study on the ability of a genetically modified (GM) grass, bentgrass, to transfer its genes in the environment. In this study EPA scientists in Corvallis, Oregon, tracked the transfer of genes from experimental plots of GM bentgrass to native grass. Results showed genes from the genetically modified bentgrass were transferred as far as 13 miles from the experimental plots though most gene transfer occurred within 2 miles of the experimental plots.
EPA has embarked on one of the most comprehensive scientific surveys ever to be conducted on three great rivers that will provide the tools needed to help states better manage and protect these important national resources. This survey will provide the information needed to check the health status of the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers, three major waterways that link the upland streams of the Central Basin to the Gulf of Mexico.
The NEEAR (National Epidemiological and Environmental Assessment of Recreational) Water Study is a collaboration between the U.S. EPA and the Centers for Disease Control. It documents human health effects (gastroenteritis and other illnesses) associated with recreational water use. This summer (June 26) designates the start date for the final year of freshwater data collection that will continue until September 6, 2004 at Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana and Silver Beach, St. Joseph, Michigan.
The purpose of this workshop is to bring together experts from a variety of scientific disciplines in order to review the latest scientific evidence with respect to factors that may contribute to the induction and therefore increased incidence of asthma and to address two broad questions: 1) What does the science suggest that regulatory and public health agencies could do now to reduce the incidence of asthma, and 2) What research is needed to improve our understanding of the factors that contribute to the induction of asthma and improve our ability to manage this problem in the future?
