Exposure Research Areas
What is Environmental Exposure Research and
why is it important?
Exposure is the contact of people (or other organisms) with an environmental stressor for a specific duration of time.
EPA exposure scientists conduct research and development leading 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.
Human Exposure & Atmospheric Sciences — EPA scientists conduct exposure research to characterize aggregate human exposure from all sources, and to define the emission and movement of pollutants through the atmosphere.
Highlights: Particulate Matter (PM), Children and their Environment, Human Exposure & Atmospheric Sciences Virtual Tour
Ecological Exposure — EPA exposure researchers conduct laboratory and field studies aimed at providing research products for conducting predictive and retrospective exposure assessments.
Highlights:Ecological Exposure Research Projects, Ecological Exposure Virtual Tour
Ecosystems Research — EPA scientists conduct modeling, field, and process research to assess the exposure risks of humans and ecosystems to chemical and non-chemical stressors. This research leads to the development of multimedia modeling tools that provide predictive capabilities for complex environmental exposures.
Highlights: Watershed and Water Quality Modeling Technical Support Center, OnSite OnLine Tools for Site Assessment, Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM), Ecosystems Research Virtual Tour
Environmental Sciences — EPA exposure scientists develop methods for characterizing chemical and physical stressors. This research leads to the development of landscape and regional assessment capabilities through the use of remote sensing and advanced spatial analysis techniques.
Highlights: Landscape Ecology Projects, Environmental Sciences Virtual Tour
Microbiological & Chemical Exposure Assessment — EPA exposure scientists conduct research that measures, characterizes and predicts 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.
Highlights: Microbiology Site, Drinking Water Methods, Marine Water Methods, Microbiological & Chemical Exposure Assessment Virtual Tour
Atmospheric Modeling and Analysis — EPA exposure scientists lead in the development and evaluation of predictive atmospheric models for assessing changes in air quality and air pollutant exposures, and for forecasting U.S. air quality. This research provides sound scientific and technical basis for regulatory policies for improving ambient air quality.
Highlights: Atmospheric Modeling Monthly Highlights, Current Research, Atmospheric Modeling & Analysis Virtual Tour