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Web Policies

Information Privacy

The NIEHS does not collect information about you when you visit our Web site other than the standard information automatically collected and stored in our Internet server logs, or information you choose to provide (see below).

Information Automatically Collected and Stored

Our servers automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

  • Your computer's Internet Protocol (IP) address (an IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you go online).
  • The domain from which you access the Internet (for example, aol.com, if you are connecting from an America Online account).
  • The Internet address of the Web site, if any, from which you came to our site (for example, www.nih.gov if you come to our Web site by clicking on an NIEHS link on the National Institutes of Health Web site).
  • The date and time you arrived at our site.
  • The name and version of your computer's operating system and browser: for example, Apple OS X / Safari 2.1 or Windows Vista / Internet Explorer 7.0.
  • The pages you visit.

This information is used for statistical purposes and to help make our site more useful to visitors. Unless it is specifically stated otherwise, no additional personal information will be collected. NIEHS does not disclose, give, sell, or transfer any personally identifiable information about our visitors, unless required for law enforcement or by statute.

Personally Provided Information

Additional information you provide about yourself through an e-mail message, form, conference or software registration form, etc., will be used only to respond to your question or to fulfill the stated purpose of the communication.

Cookies

Some pages on this Web site may employ session "cookies." A cookie is a small file that a Web site transfers to your computer's hard disk to allow the server to remember specific information about your session while you are connected. Requests to send cookies are not designed to collect information about you, but only about your "browser session." The cookies make it easier for you to use the dynamic features of our Web site The cookies and the information about your session are automatically destroyed shortly after you close your browser.

Security

This site is maintained by the U.S. Government. It is protected by various provisions of Title 18, U.S. Code. Violations of Title 18 are subject to criminal prosecution in federal court. For site security purposes, and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, we employ software programs to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. In the event of authorized law enforcement investigations, and pursuant to any required legal process, information from these sources may be used to help identify an individual.

Links to External Sites

The NIEHS Web site has links to many external Web sites. The NIEHS cannot guarantee the privacy or security of information users provide to linked, external Web sites. The NIEHS is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does NIEHS endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information described or offered at these external sites.

Accessibility

The NIEHS makes every effort comply with federal accessibility regulations (Section 508 (http://www.section508.gov/) Exit NIEHS) to ensure that the information available on our Web site is accessible to all. If you use special adaptive equipment to access the Internet and encounter problems when using our site, please let us know and we will provide the information in an alternative format.

General Disclaimers

The NIEHS does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services. The views and opinions expressed on the NIEHS Web site do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government, and they may not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Pop-up advertisements encountered while visiting the NIEHS Web site were most likely produced by other sites you visited or by third party software installed on your computer. The NIEHS does not endorse or recommend products or services that may appear in such pop-up advertisements.

Much of the information on the NIEHS Web site is in the public domain and may be used and reproduced without specific permission, however, any reproduction should contain proper acknowledgement to the NIEHS including a reference to the Web site. Certain material on this Web site, and on other government Web sites to which the NIEHS provides links, is used under license, however, may not be in the public domain. Users should check with the contacts for specific sections of the NIEHS site, as well as the permissions policies of external sites to find out the terms under which the information found there can be used or reproduced.

Medical Advice Disclaimer

It is not the intention of the NIEHS to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. Specific medical advice will not be provided, and the NIEHS urges you to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.

Questions about NIEHS Internet policies should be sent to: webmaster@niehs.nih.gov.

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USA.gov Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health
This page URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/orgstructure/policies/index.cfm
NIEHS website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
Email the Web Manager at webmanager@niehs.nih.gov
Last Reviewed: September 04, 2008