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EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) is comprised of several divisions with diversified research specialties. NERL conducts research and development that leads to improved methods, measurements and models to assess and predict exposures of humans and ecosystems to harmful pollutants and other conditions in air, water, soil, and food.
A Conceptual Framework for the U.S. EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory provides a foundation for addressing NERL's research mission and its scientific leadership goals. Read more about the exposure framework document ...
Scientists from the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory were honored recently with Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards for research contributions focused on understanding children's exposure to chemicals in everyday environments. Read more about understanding children's exposure...
Watch this video to find out more about particulate matter (PM) research in the Exposure Research Laboratory.
Singer Joni Mitchell crooned, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” Today the presence of thousands of parking lots in the United States illustrates just one example of how human-induced change can negatively affect the benefits — or ecosystem services — provided by the environment that we have come to rely upon to live.
NERL has compiled a database listing citation information for literature related to PPCPs. (updated May 2009)
NERL has prepared a document on scientific and ethical approaches for observational exposure studies through recommendations from an expert panel, public comment, and external peer review.
Additional Research Links
- NERL Publications
- NERL's Exposure Framework Document
- Detroit Exposure and Aerosol Research Study (DEARS)
- Important Exposure Factors - NERL report on important exposure factors for children.
- CMAQ - air quality modeling
- Disinfection By-products (DBPs) - What is in our drinking water?
- National Epidemiological and Environmental Assessment of Recreational (NEEAR) Water Study
- COPP Study - EPA study finds air pollutants in cars cause health effects
- CTEPP Study
- Environmental Forensics - identification of pollutants of unknown origin
- Vacuum Distillation - analyzing organic chemicals
- EPA and CDC Symposium on Air Pollution Exposure and Health
- Science Forum 2008
- NERL Science Forum 2006
- Posters and Presentations from the 2006 ISEA
Human Exposure & Atmospheric Sciences - Characterizes aggregate human exposure from all sources and the emission and movement of pollutants through the atmosphere. Scientific Reports: Particulate Matter (PM), Children and their Environment, HEASD virtual lab tour
Ecological Exposure - Conducts laboratory and field studies aimed at providing research products that enable the Agency to conduct predictive and retrospective exposure assessments.
Some Highlights: Ecological Exposure Research Projects, EERD virtual lab tour
Ecosystems Research - Performs research on approaches to multimedia modeling for landscape, nutrient and chemical stressors of ecosystems.
Some Highlights: Watershed and Water Quality Modeling Technical Support Center, OnSite OnLine Tools for Site Assessment, Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM), ERD virtual lab tour
Environmental Sciences - Develops methods for characterizing chemical and physical stressors. Develops landscape and regional assessment capabilities through the use of remote sensing and advanced spatial analysis techniques.
Some Highlights: Landscape Ecology Projects, ESD virtual lab tour
Microbiological & Chemical Exposure Assessment - Conducts research to measure, characterize and predict the exposure of humans to chemical and microbial hazards. This research provides information on environmental pathways by which hazardous contaminants are transported via air, water, food, and soil to populations at risk. Some Highlights: Microbiology Site, Drinking Water Methods, Marine Water Methods, MCEARD virtual lab tour
Atmospheric Modeling - Develops advanced air quality models that can simulate the transport and fate of pollutants in the atmosphere.
Some Highlights: Atmospheric Modeling Monthly Highlights, Current Research, AMD virtual lab tour