About EPA
National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL)
What We Do
As EPA’s premiere laboratory for risk management research, NRMRL focuses on environmental problem-solving. Recognized as a national leader in scientific and engineering expertise and capability, NRMRL’s research portfolio spans the five goals outlined in EPA’s Strategic Plan, and directly supports efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, manage chemical risks, clean up hazardous waste sites, and protect America's water.
Environmental risk management seeks to determine what environmental risks exist and how to manage those risk in a way best suited to protect human health and the environment. Our mission is to advance scientific and engineering solutions to manage current and future environmental risk.
Research Projects Managed by NRMRL
EPA Strategic Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality
- Air Quality Management
- Green Buildings and Indoor Contaminants/Asthma
- Mercury and other Persistent Pollutants
- Source Based Strategies, including Near Roadway Research
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
- Risk Management Air Research
EPA Strategic Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters
- Aging Drinking Water Infrastructure
- Aging Wastewater Infrastructure
- Distribution Systems Water Quality
- Drinking Water Treatment Technologies
- Nonpoint Source Characterization and Control
- Source Water Protection
- Watershed Management
- Risk Management Water Research
EPA Strategic Goal 3: Cleaning Up Communities and Advancing Sustainable Development
- Material Management, Waste to Energy, and Resource Conservation of Land Wastes
- Mitigation, Management and Long-Term Stewardship of Superfund Contaminated Sites and Wastes
- Ecosystems: Place-based Valuation and Decision Support Studies
- Development and Evaluation of P2 Tools
- Environmental Systems Management / Sustainable Metrics Development
- Environmental Technology Assessment and Verification
- Environmental Technology Verification
- Risk Management Ecosystem Research
- Risk Management Land Research
- Risk Management Sustainable Technologies Research
EPA Strategic Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution
Organization
Cynthia Sonich-Mullin, Director
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
- Phone: 513-569-7923
- Email: sonich-mullin.cynthia@epa.gov
Annette Gatchett, Acting Deputy Director
- Phone: 513-569-7697
- Email: gatchett.annette@epa.gov
NRMRL includes:
- Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (APPCD)
- Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division (GWERD)
- Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division
- Sustainable Technology Division
- Water Supply and Water Resources Division (WSWRD)
- Environmental Technology Assessment, Verification, and Outcomes Office (ETAV)
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (APPCD)
Location: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Director:Frank Princiotta
- Phone: 919-541-2821
- Email: princiotta.frank@epa.gov
What We Do: APPCD is responsible for research, development, and evaluation of air pollution control technologies. APPCD conducts research, and develops and demonstrates air pollution prevention and control technologies for key industries, electric power plants, incinerators, indoor environments, and sources of greenhouse gases. Learn more about APPCD.
Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division (GWERD)
Location: Ada, Oklahoma
Acting Director: Dave Jewett
- Phone: 580-436-8560
- Email: jewett.david@epa.gov
What We Do: GWERD conducts research and engages in technical assistance and technology transfer on the chemical, physical, and biological structure and processes of the subsurface environment, the biogeochemical interactions in that environment, and alterations to other environmental media.
Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division (LRPCD)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Director: Al Venosa
- Phone: 513-569-7668
- Email: venosa.albert@epa.gov
What We Do: LRPCD conducts research at the basic level, as well as bench- and pilot-scale levels, to explore innovative solutions to current and future land pollution problems.
Sustainable Technology Division (STD)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Director: John Leazer
- Phone: 513-569-7840
- Email: leazer.john@epa.gov
What We Do: STD advances the scientific understanding, development, and application of technologies and methods for prevention, removal, and control of environmental risks to human health and ecology.
Water Supply and Water Resources Division (WSWRD)
Locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, and Edison, New Jersey
Acting Director: Tom Speth
- Phone: 513-569-7208
- Email: speth.thomas@epa.gov
Associate Division Director: Samuel L. Hayes
- Phone: 513-569-7514
- Email: hayes.sam@epa.gov
What We Do: WSWRD research supports EPA's systematic evaluations of the primary and secondary regulations for drinking water and pollution control programs for water quality by developing innovative approaches to manage water contaminants that pose a threat to human health and the environment.
Environmental Technology Assessment, Verification, and Outcomes Office (ETAV)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Chief: Teresa Harten
- Phone: 513-569-7565
- Email: harten.teresa@epa.gov
What We Do: ETAV serves as a focal point for EPA state-of-the science technology assessment and verification. ETAV coordinates EPA and others in the private sector to develop, test, and implement technologies to protect the environment and human health.