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NRMRL Is EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory
“To prevent and reduce pollution of air, land, and water, and to restore ecosystems.” That's NRMRL's mission. The focus of the laboratory's research is on methods to prevent and control the pollution of land, water, subsurface resources, and indoor and outdoor air; to protect water quality in public water systems; and to remediate contaminated sites and ground water. And even though NRMRL is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, many EPA facilities share NRMRL's mission and collaborate with NRMRL to solve a wide range of environmental challenges:
| Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center, Cincinnati, OH |
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This research facility, called AWBERC, is internationally recognized for its water research and has become a leader in areas of bioremediation and pollution prevention. NRMRL uses the AWBERC facility for drinking water, water quality, land remediation, pollution control, and sustainability research. So that EPA's buildings and practices reflect its mission, AWBERC has implemented environmental (“greening”) features such as using more energy efficient equipment, eliminating the need to use once-through city water, and enhancing its recycling program to include five different grades of paper, all fluorescent lighting, all petroleum products, all toner cartridges, and more.
AWBERC Homepage
Greening AWBERC
Driving Directions
Biocontaminant Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH
The Biocontaminant Laboratory (located in the AWBERC building) collaborates with NRMRL on the evaluation and analysis of biological contaminants. These contaminants can cause poor indoor air quality and trigger allergic reactions, breathing problems, and even lung disease. The BioLab is a new, state-of-the-science Biosafety Level 3 microbiology research facility that has two Class 10,000 clean rooms with highly specialized, top-of-the-line analytical instrumentation.
BioLab Available for Collaborative R&D
Full Containment Facility for Hazardous Materials Research, Cincinnati, OH
The Full Containment Facility (adjacent to the AWBERC building) collaborates with NRMRL on highly toxic or hazardous materials research in order to develop cleaner technologies and tools for integrated pollution management (for industrial processes). It is a self-contained and environmentally isolated research facility that has one double laboratory and eight single laboratories with capacities to conduct bench-scale and small pilot-scale research, and to analyze and characterize unknown waste samples. Each laboratory is outfitted with standard exhaust hoods that contain air, water, and vacuum hookups and can be individually climate controlled for temperature and humidity. Scientists can easily custom configure each of the laboratories because they contain only a few permanent structures, such as exhaust hoods, sinks, and countertops. The facility includes state-of-the-science analytical equipment (a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, an elemental analyzer, a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, a high-performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer, and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer), a large loading dock, sample storage rooms, office space, and an employee shower area.
Full Containment Facility Available for Collaborative R&D |
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| Test and Evaluation Facility, Cincinnati, OH |
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Built in 1979, the Test and Evaluation Facility (T&E) conducts research on new treatment technologies for water and hazardous waste. On-site chemistry labs and two water distribution system simulators give scientists the flexibility to study drinking water contaminants, biosensors (devices that determine the concentration of substances and other parameters of biological interest), and small systems (public water systems that serve fewer than 3,300 persons). As part of EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification Program, T&E verifies water security monitoring and treatment technology testing.
This facility is available for your use. The Test and Evaluation Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio (PDF) (2 pp, 205 KB) (EPA/600/F-08/004) July 2008
T&E
Facility Homepage
T&E Facility Available for Collaborative R&D
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| Center Hill Facility, Cincinnati, OH |
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Scientists at this facility collaborate with NRMRL in researching sediment/soil contaminant interaction, form and transport of contaminants in the environment, bioavailability, waste containment and disposal, landfill bioreactors, and waste material leaching.
Since the 1970s, researchers have supported several EPA programs because of Center Hill's special features:
- 21,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in single-story buildings
- 10 laboratories where bench-scale and pilot-scale research projects are conducted (Some bench-scale research performed at nearby laboratories is carried out at the pilot-scale level by Center Hill.)
- A high-bay research area
- A machine shop for construction and maintenance of specialized research equipment
- Field vehicles for research sample recovery
- Specialized analytical equipment
The specialized equipment and instrumentation enable researchers to determine and measure the chemical and microbiological characteristics of waste, leachates, soil and sediments, and the form (speciation) and transport characteristics of contaminants in soil and sediment. Center Hill uses research capabilities developed at the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratory, which makes Center Hill the focal point for determining the atomic-level form, fate, and transport characteristics of specific metal contaminants.
To reduce its carbon footprint, Center Hill uses a nighttime setback mode for its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and energy efficient “green” lights in the office and high-bay areas.
Center Hill Facility Homepage
Greening Center Hill Facility
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| Experimental Stream Facility, Clermont County, OH |
| The Experimental Stream Facility (ESF) is used to research the links between known environmental stressors in stream flow and the structure and function of stream ecosystems. ESF provides a balance between the controlled conditions of a laboratory and the variability of the natural environment necessary to sustain native communities. Research results are used for watershed management.
This facility is available for your use. The Experimental Stream Facility, Clermont County, Ohio (PDF) (2 pp, 228 KB)
(EPA/600/F-08/006) July 2008
ESF Research Overview 
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| Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center, Ada, OK |
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The Kerr Center is the site where NRMRL supports the development of strategies and technologies to protect and restore ground water, surface water, and ecosystems impacted by human-made and natural events. This laboratory uses state-of-the-science analytical chemistry equipment, specialized instrumentation for solid-phase and colloid characterization, and field equipment to study the transport and transformation of contaminants in soil and ground water. To reduce its environmental footprint, the Kerr Center became EPA’s first “carbon neutral” laboratory. This means the Center reduces energy use wherever possible and implements carbon offsets to mitigate any remaining greenhouse gas emissions caused by using energy. The result is net zero emissions.
This facility is available for your use. The Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center, Ada, Oklahoma (PDF) (2 pp, 216 KB) (EPA/600/F-08/003) July 2008
Kerr Center Homepage
Kerr Center Research Overview
Greening Kerr
Driving Directions
Ecosystems
and Subsurface Research
Facilities, Ada, OK
These research facilities collaborate with NRMRL on ecosystems’ susceptibility to nitrogen deposition and the development of novel management interventions for improving nitrogen-use efficiency in watersheds. The 11-acre field site includes a weather station, computer facility, and several types of wells designed to safeguard our underground supplies of drinking water against contamination by pollutants introduced to the subsurface via injection wells.
Ecosystems
Facility Available for
Collaborative R&D |
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| Research Triangle Park, NC |
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At Research Triangle Park (RTP), NRMRL characterizes both natural and anthropogenic (human-made) sources of emissions, and researches, develops, and demonstrates air pollution prevention and control technologies. The technological products are then used by modelers, appropriate industries (for example, electric utilities), and decision makers. This leads to cleaner indoor environments and reduces emissions from pollutants and greenhouse gases. As part of EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification Program, RTP verifies the performance of innovative technologies, such as the Indoor Air Technology Testing Protocol and Dioxin Continuous Emission Monitoring Technology Testing. To reduce the environmental impact of its facilities and operations, RTP monitors and controls energy-consuming aspects of each building, uses building materials that have the least environmental impact, and has incorporated water-efficient fixtures throughout the complex.
RTP Homepage
Greening RTP
Driving Directions
Facilities
for Air Pollution Studies,
Research Triangle Park,
NC
Emissions, such as those from diesel trucks and those found in indoor environments, pose a risk to human health and ecological systems. So the Facilities for Air Pollution Studies use open-path remote sensing equipment, an instrumented heavy-duty diesel truck, and emissions characterization chambers to develop methods for the study of emissions and the problems they cause. These facilities are part of the RTP complex.
Air
Pollution Facilities Available
for Collaborative R&D
Air Pollution Facilities Research Overview
Mobile Source Research Facility, Research Triangle Park, NC
This research facility, part of the RTP complex, collaborates with NRMRL on emissions research. In particular, the facility characterizes and performs source profiling of motor vehicle emissions and off-road engine exhaust. A suite of small-engine dynamometers is available to carry out research on small, hand-held engines such as those used in leaf blowers and chain saws. Mobile source research helps to reduce and prevent a wide range of emissions and compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment.
Mobile
Source Facility Available
for Collaborative R&D
Multipollutant
Control Research Facility,
Research Triangle Park,
NC
Multipollutant control research is a collaborative effort between this facility and NRMRL. The research supports development of new flue gas cleaning technologies for stationary sources of air pollution. The research also aims to develop technologies that can simultaneously control nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, particulate matter, and mercury. This research facility is part of the RTP complex.
Multipollutant
Control Facility Available
for Collaborative R&D
Air
House, Research Triangle
Park, NC
Indoor air pollution prevention and control are the focus of research at this facility, which is part of the RTP complex. The research includes a variety of projects, such as characterizing sources of indoor contaminants, modeling indoor air quality, and evaluating radon from biocontaminant sources and radon control options. Research results help in decision making regarding, for example, the use of water-based cleaners in schools.
Air House Research Overview |
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| Urban Watershed Management Branch, Edison, NJ |
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For NRMRL, scientists at the Urban Watershed Management Branch (UWMB) in Edison, NJ, research technical approaches to managing flow and runoff generated from rainfall in an urban setting. The research includes studies on wet-weather flow, which is the precipitation that collects harmful pollutants while it travels through city streets and other impervious drainage systems. Wet-weather flow includes storm water, sanitary sewer overflow, and combined sewer overflow. Untreated releases of wet-weather flow can harm receiving waters.
In order to carry out their research, UWMB scientists use the Urban Watershed Research Facility (UWRF), an isolated, 20-acre open space, established to develop and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of common and innovative storm water management practices. The facility includes:
- Greenhouses that allow all-season operation
- Analytical laboratories for on-site analysis of common chemical and microbial stressors
- A high-bay engineering development and support area
- Automated electronic monitoring and automatic sampling equipment
- Office space
- Storage
On-site storage tanks, mixing, and transfer and distribution equipment provide storm water collected from an adjacent, highly impervious drainage area. Outdoor facilities include pilot-scale swales, wet ponds, and wetlands to allow for controlled-condition evaluations of common control practices. Sewage can be accessed from a local treatment authority for research efforts requiring sanitary waste.
The UWRF is capable of supporting controlled-condition experiments on infrastructure conveyance and storage systems. Representative pipelines have been installed to support controlled-condition experiments on pipelines that simulate those in use at operational facilities. Five buried experimental pipelines include four 500-foot loops and one 100-foot loop. A test pit provides flexibility for changing leak rates, for backfill materials, and for control of backfill moisture content.
This facility is available for your use. The Urban Watershed Research Facility, Edison, New Jersey (PDF) (2 pp, 211 KB) (EPA/600/F-08/005) July 2008
Urban
Watershed Facility Available
for Collaborative R&D
Urban
Watershed Risk Management
Research Overview
Greening
Edison EPA
Driving Directions |
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Technical Contact:
Debbie Westerman (513) 569-7364
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See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
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