Microorganisms are everywhere--in the air, soil, water, and in our bodies. They can be both harmful and beneficial to human health and the environment. Viruses are microorganisms, but so are the antibiotics used to fight them. EPA conducts research to measure, characterize and predict the exposure of humans to microbial hazards. Analytical quantitative methods are developed to accurately and specifically measure human risk factors associated with microorganisms. Surveys and monitoring studies are carried out to determine the levels of microbials in environmental matrices, and human populations are studied to determine significant exposure pathways, the levels of exposure, and the sources of exposure factors.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• EPA Microbiology Home Page
  Access to microbiology-related information that has been developed or managed by the Agency.
• Biotechnology Program Under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Biotechnology
  At this site you will find the regulation under which the TSCA Biotechnology Program functions.

Air Pollutants
Aerosols, Asbestos, Carbon Monoxide, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Criteria Air Pollutants, Ground Level Ozone, Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Lead, Mercury, Methane, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM), Propellants, Radon, Refrigerants, Sulfur Oxides (SOx), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Biological Contaminants

Carcinogens

Chemicals
Benzene, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), Dichloroethylene (DCE), Dioxins, Endocrine Disruptors, Ether, Ethylbenzene, Furans, Halons, Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), Heavy Metals, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Inorganic Cyanides, Ketones, Methane, Methyl Bromide, Methyl Chloride, Methyl-T-Butyl-Ether (MTBE), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Organic Cyanides, Particulate Matter (PM), Perchloroethylene (PCE), Phthalates, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Radioactive Substances, Radionuclides, Styrene, Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), Sulfur Oxides (SOx), Toluene, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Microorganisms
Coliform, Cryptosporidium, Viruses

Ozone

Radiation
Ionizing Radiation, Radiation Detection, Radiation Exposure, Radiation Protection, Radioactive Substances, Radionuclides, Radon

Soil Contaminants
Acetone, Arsenic, Barium, Benzene, Cadmium, Chloroform, Cyanide, Lead, Mercury, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Toxic Substances
Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic Pollutants (PBTs), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Toxicological Profiles

Water Pollutants
Arsenic, Contaminated Sediment, Disinfection Byproducts, Dredged Material, Lead, Microbial Pathogens