Environmental Management Programs & Initiatives
Programs:
Environmental management programs support the NIEHS Environmental Policy and the overall goal of reducing negative environmental impacts. These programs were established to assure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Each program includes specific requirements that are documented in the NIEHS EMS Manual as well as a corresponding written plan, procedure, or instruction that are reviewed annually.
- Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs)
The intent of this program is to reduce the potential for spills resulting from the storage, transportation and distribution of petroleum products by following SPCC and stormwater management requirements.
- Air Emissions
Includes criteria for air emissions and performance standards applied to Federally-owned and operated equipment including boilers, generators and incinerators located on the NIEHS/EPA research campus.
- Asbestos
This program controls and abates threats to human health from friable asbestos, and ensures proper management of asbestos containing materials (ACM) during removal and disposal.
- Green Purchasing
This program encourages the purchase of recycled content products, energy-efficient products and renewable energy technologies, alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels, bio-based products, environmentally preferable products and services, and non-ozone depleting substances.
- Hazardous Materials Management
The intent of this program is to provide criteria for the safe and environmentally sound storage, handling, transportation and disposition of hazardous materials used in laboratory research, support and maintenance operations, and construction activities.
- Hazardous Waste Management
This program provides for the sound management of hazardous wastes (HW) to ensure that such wastes are identified, accumulated, stored, transported, treated, and disposed or recycled in an environmentally sound manner.
- Medical Waste Management
- The intent of this program is the safe and environmentally sound management and disposal of pathological, biological, and infectious materials and wastes generated by NIEHS, and associated onsite clinical research programs.
- Natural Resources
The intent of this program is to preserve natural areas and to manage, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat on the NIEHS campus.
- Pesticides
The intent of this program is to control pests in the animal facilities, inside campus buildings, and on campus grounds with limited pesticide application in a manner that is safe for the environment, personnel, and research activities.
- Radioactive Waste Management
Ensures that radioactive wastes are identified, accumulated, stored, transported, treated, and disposed safely and in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
- Solid Waste Management
Insures that solid wastes are identified, classified, collected, transported, stored, recycled, treated and/or disposed safely and in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
- Stormwater Management
Stormwater management practices help control nonpoint source pollution through various techniques that intercept, filter, and treat runoff from developed areas.
- Transportation Management
Encourages and supports transit options including bus, carpool, and telework, to the single occupancy vehicle.
- Wastewater
The intent of this program is to reduce the potential for pollutants to enter the sanitary sewer system through effective pretreatment, source reduction, proper chemical disposal, and other wastewater management programs.
- Water Consumption
This program seeks to reduce water consumption associated with NIEHS laboratory, utility, facility, and domestic operations.
Initiatives
Environmental Management Initiatives are voluntary programs developed by the NIEHS to help achieve environmental stewardship objectives. These initiatives are renewed annually and adjusted as objectives are met or modified.
- Cafeteria Composting
This cafeteria composting initiative seeks to reduce solid waste sent offsite for landfill disposal.
- Phosphate Reduction
This phosphate reduction initiative seeks to reduce discharge of total phosphorus in NIEHS wastewater.
- Waste Diversion
The objective of this waste diversion initiative is to increase recycling of laboratory plastics and packaging materials.
