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The Environmental Health Program's Science Approach is Based on the Principle that Human and Animal Health are Interdependent and Linked to the Health of the Ecosystems they Share

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Environmental Health Program

Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology

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Integrated Science Teams

Work together in the field and laboratories across the United States

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Core Technology Teams

Descriptions of specialized capabilities across the Nation

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Questions We Answer

Examples of how our scientists answer high priority environmental health science questions

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Video Presenting the USGS Laboratory for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Located at the Eastern Ecological Science Center

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Environmental Health Program

The Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology) supports integrated natural science expertise and capabilities across the USGS related to environmental contaminants and pathogens. This One Health approach recognizes the interdependence of human and animal health and the health of ecosystems that they share. 

Featured Science Articles

Integrated Science

Adam Mumford sampling a stream in PA

Science centers and scientists supported by the Environmental Health Program work together on integrated science teams to develop and apply advanced laboratory methods, field investigations, and modeling to understand sources, fate, exposure, toxicity, and effects of environmental contaminants and pathogens. 

Integrated Science Teams

Program Highlights

A USGS map of the U.S. with dots representing tap water sample sites across the nation, varying in size and shade of blue to

A new interactive dashboard is available to visualize PFAS measurements for 716 tap water samples collected at select sites across the nation between 2016 and 2021 from private and public supplies.

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News

Algal blooms aren’t always harmful, but when they are, science is here to help

Algal blooms aren’t always harmful, but when they are, science is here to help

USGS Friday's Findings - August 9, 2024

USGS Friday's Findings - August 9, 2024

Extreme Low Flows Less Common with Warmer Winters and Wetter Summers

Extreme Low Flows Less Common with Warmer Winters and Wetter Summers

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Publications

Distribution of ancient carbon in groundwater and soil gas from degradation of petroleum near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

The groundwater below the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (the facility) in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, contains fuel compounds from past spills. This study used carbon-14 analyses to distinguish fuel-derived carbon from background carbon, along with other biodegradation indicators, to address two goals: (1) determine the extent and migration direction of groundwater affected by residual fuel below the fa

Authors
Jared J. Trost, Barbara A. Bekins, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Geoffrey N. Delin, Daniel A Sinclair, James K Stack, Rylen K. Nakama, Uli'i M. Miyajima, Lhiberty D. Pagaduan, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory

Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryAlgal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects ranging from aes
Authors
Victoria G. Christensen, Christopher J. Crawford, Robert J. Dusek, Michael J. Focazio, Lisa Reynolds Fogarty, Jennifer L. Graham, Celeste A. Journey, Mari E. Lee, James H. Larson, Sarah M. Stackpoole, Viviana Mazzei, Emily J. Pindilli, Barnett A. Rattner, E. Terrence Slonecker, Kristen B. McSwain, Timothy J. Reilly, Ashley E. Lopez
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Kansas Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Landsat Missions

Land-use interactions, Oil-Field infrastructure, and natural processes control hydrocarbon and arsenic concentrations in groundwater, Poso Creek Oil Field, California, USA

Like many hydrocarbon production areas in the U.S., the Poso Creek Oil Field in California includes and is adjacent to other land uses (agricultural and other developed lands) that affect the hydrology and geochemistry of the aquifer overlying and adjacent to oil development. We hypothesize that the distributions of hydrocarbons and arsenic in groundwater in such areas will be controlled by comple
Authors
Peter B. McMahon, Matthew K. Landon, Michael J. Stephens, Kimberly A. Taylor, Michael Wright, Angela Hansen, Tamara E. C. Kraus, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, David H. Shimabukuro, Theron A. Sowers, Justin T. Kulongoski, Andrew Hunt, Ruta Karolyte, Darren J. Hillegonds, Chris J. Ballentine
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center
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Science

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Car parked next to a storm drain in the rain with water washing debris into the drain.

From Tread to Watershed: How Tire Wear Particle Chemicals 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone Are Impacting Waterways

Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) are generated during normal driving conditions and contain both rubber and roadway materials. These particles travel from the roadways and urban environments into surrounding ecosystems where there are deleterious impacts from both the TRWPs and leached rubber chemicals. Recent studies have demonstrated the widespread occurrence and toxicity of TRWPs and their...
By
Environmental Health Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL)
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From Tread to Watershed: How Tire Wear Particle Chemicals 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone Are Impacting Waterways

Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) are generated during normal driving conditions and contain both rubber and roadway materials. These particles travel from the roadways and urban environments into surrounding ecosystems where there are deleterious impacts from both the TRWPs and leached rubber chemicals. Recent studies have demonstrated the widespread occurrence and toxicity of TRWPs and their...
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Iowa stream

Statewide Assessment of Iowa Streams Links Landscape Characteristics to Antibiotic Resistance Signatures

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in streams (water column and bed sediment samples) across Iowa. Results indicated that ARB and ARGs were prevalent, and a combination of watershed characteristics (such as land use, livestock population, and human population)...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Statewide Assessment of Iowa Streams Links Landscape Characteristics to Antibiotic Resistance Signatures

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted the first statewide assessment of antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in streams (water column and bed sediment samples) across Iowa. Results indicated that ARB and ARGs were prevalent, and a combination of watershed characteristics (such as land use, livestock population, and human population)...
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Recently hatched Gadwall duckling

Estimating Methylmercury Injury to Birds—“The Bird Mercury Tool”

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have developed a tool that can be used by practitioners to help interpret injury to birds caused by methylmercury contamination. This tool was developed from a comprehensive review of 168 studies and summarizing data on the effects of methylmercury on birds.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Estimating Methylmercury Injury to Birds—“The Bird Mercury Tool”

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists have developed a tool that can be used by practitioners to help interpret injury to birds caused by methylmercury contamination. This tool was developed from a comprehensive review of 168 studies and summarizing data on the effects of methylmercury on birds.
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