- Science at EPA
- Technology
- Children's Health
- Cleanup
- Climate Change
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Management
- Pesticides
- Water
Science and Technology
Science Features
Science that Takes Your Breath Away
The breath you "see" on a cold winter's day may become a useful diagnostic tool for identifying lung changes or damage from air pollutants. EPA scientists are at the forefront of new biomarker research to determine if exhaled breath can be used to detect changes in the body at the molecular or cellular level.
Over the last 20 years, researchers have used a medical procedure called bronchoscopy that involves taking lung cells with a scope to study the effects of air pollutants on the lungs. The procedure must be done in a clinic under medical supervision. In contrast, EPA scientists expect the breath-borne biomarkers to be usable in more situations outside the clinic, cost less to administer, and provide much more comfort to the volunteer.
Read more: Science that Takes Your Breath Away
Is Biodiversity Good for Our Health?
Lyme disease. West Nile virus. Malaria. Over the past several decades, scientists and public health officials have documented the outbreak of many troubling infectious diseases: illnesses once thought well under control are making a comeback or appearing in locations where they had never been seen before; brand new diseases are suddenly appearing on the scene.
Over the same time period that the frequency of emerging infectious diseases appears to be increasing, natural habitats and biological diversity (the abundance, composition and distribution of species) have been declining, primarily due to deforestation, development projects, and other human activities. Is there a link? While the current scientific literature suggests the answer is yes, there have been few integrative, interdisciplinary studies exploring the scientific connections between human health and biodiversity. A new research initiative at EPA aims to fill that void.
Resources
Air Pollution Tech Transfer Network (TTN)
The TTN is a collection of technical Web sites containing information about many areas of air pollution science, technology, regulation, measurement, and prevention.
Databases and Software
EPA uses environmental databases and scientific tools to learn more about chemical risks and conditions of the environment, whether locally or for the whole nation.
Laboratories and Research Centers
Find links to the major laboratories and other organizations that conduct research and carry out scientific and technical activities within EPA.
Models
EPA uses a wide variety of scientific and technical models to support our decisions and policies. Models increase the level of understanding about natural systems and the way in which they react to varying conditions.
Multi-Year Research Plans
EPA's multi-year plans enable the Agency to focus on the highest priority needs for science and to coordinate research across its laboratories and centers to achieve research goals.
National Research Programs
EPA's National Research Programs coordinate research planning across the Agency in areas like drinking water research and global change research.
Office of Research and Development
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the scientific research arm of EPA. ORD's leading-edge research helps provide the solid underpinning of science and technology for the Agency.
Research Strategies and Plans
Research strategies frame the scientific questions associated with important environmental issues and delineate the research needs and relative priorities required to address those questions.
Science Advisory Organizations
Learn about Federal Advisory Committees that provide scientific and technical advice, the Science Advisory Board, and other organizations that address science policy issues at EPA.
Science Inventory
The SI is a searchable database of activities, work products, and current projects conducted in our research laboratories and centers, and through grants and other assistance agreements.
Test Methods
Test methods measure the presence and concentration of physical and chemical pollutants; they evaluate properties of chemical substances; and they measure the effects of substances under various conditions.
Grants and Funding
-
Learn about or apply for
Subscribe
News feedGet email notifications about new science and technology publications and news by email