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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

Sea urchin killer spreads to new species and new region

Sea urchin killer spreads to new species and new region

The USGS One Health Approach to Infectious Diseases of Wildlife and Environmental Change

The USGS One Health Approach to Infectious Diseases of Wildlife and Environmental Change

USGS EcoNews | Winter 2024 - Vol. 5 | Issue 1

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Publications

Illegal dumping of oil and gas wastewater alters arid soil microbial communities

The Permian Basin, underlying southeast New Mexico and west Texas, is one of the most productive oil and gas (OG) provinces in the United States. Oil and gas production yields large volumes of wastewater with complex chemistries, and the environmental health risks posed by these OG wastewaters on sensitive desert ecosystems are poorly understood. Starting in November 2017, 39 illegal dumps, as def
Authors
Mitra Kashani, Mark A Engle, Douglas B. Kent, Terry G. Gregston, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Adam Mumford, Matthew S. Varonka, Cassandra Rashan Harris, Denise M. Akob
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Energy Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

An assessment of HgII to preserve carbonate system parameters in organic-rich estuarine waters

This work assesses the effectiveness of sample preservation techniques for measurements of pHT (total scale), total dissolved inorganic carbon (CT), and total alkalinity (AT) in organic-rich estuarine waters as well as the internal consistency of measurements and calculations (e.g., AT, pHT, and CT) in these waters. Using mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-treated and untreated water samples, measurements

Authors
Christopher Moore, Robert H. Byrne, Kimberly Yates
By
Environmental Health Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Carbon Analytical Laboratory

Attenuation of barium, strontium, cobalt, and nickel plumes formed during microbial iron-reduction in a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer

We assessed the spatial distribution of 35 elements in aquifer sediments and groundwater of a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer and show evidence of the dissolution of barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) during hydrocarbon oxidation coupled to historic microbial Fe(III)-reduction near the oil. Trace element plumes occur in the crude-oil-contaminated aquifer, where 50% Co, 47% Ni
Authors
Katherine Jones, Brady Ziegler, Audrey Davis, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Environmental Health Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Science

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This is a photo of a view looking into the Grand Canyon from Canyon Village along the Bright Angel Trail.

Human-Related Compounds in Water Sources in the Grand Canyon Help Identify Water Flow Pathways and Highlight Potential Water Quality Changes

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists investigated the movement of human-generated chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals and per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), in groundwater along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This research led to a better understanding of the movement of wastewater into groundwater, of complex underground flow patterns, and of chemicals present in springs near...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Arizona Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center
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Human-Related Compounds in Water Sources in the Grand Canyon Help Identify Water Flow Pathways and Highlight Potential Water Quality Changes

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists investigated the movement of human-generated chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals and per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), in groundwater along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This research led to a better understanding of the movement of wastewater into groundwater, of complex underground flow patterns, and of chemicals present in springs near...
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Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) swimming in an experimental aquarium

Biologically Active Chemical Research Core Technology Team

About the Research. The Biologically Active Chemicals Research Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program conducts field and laboratory research on the occurrence, fate, and effects of complex mixtures of biologically active organic and inorganic chemicals in aquatic environments.
By
Environmental Health Program, Colorado Water Science Center
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Biologically Active Chemical Research Core Technology Team

About the Research. The Biologically Active Chemicals Research Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program conducts field and laboratory research on the occurrence, fate, and effects of complex mixtures of biologically active organic and inorganic chemicals in aquatic environments.
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A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) microbiologist prepares a water sample for enterococci testing

Bacteriological Research Core Technology Team

About the Research The Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program uses a wide array of traditional and modern molecular approaches to evaluate microbial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance pathways in the environment. The scientists use these approaches to advance the understanding of how environmental...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Bacteriological Research Core Technology Team

About the Research The Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program uses a wide array of traditional and modern molecular approaches to evaluate microbial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance pathways in the environment. The scientists use these approaches to advance the understanding of how environmental...
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