x>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
RESEARCH LABORATORY
I
ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC
AND ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO
MANAGE CURRENT AND
FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
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-. NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
-^ RESEARCH LABORATORY
Brief History
In 1995, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) created the National Risk
Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL)
from several former Office of Research and
Development (ORD) organizations. The
purpose was to build an organization
capable of developing and identifying the
engineering and scientific solutions
necessary to support EPA's mission to
protect human health and the environment.
Today, NRMRL is the authority for
environmental risk management research
for ORD and EPA. Its scientists and engineers identify, develop and test innovative tools, methods, and technologies used to solve and
prevent complex environmental problems facing the nation. NRMRL's work benefits EPA program offices, regions and other federal
agencies, state and local governments, and industry in developing and implementing environmental standards. Recognized as a
national leader in scientific and engineering expertise and capability, NRMRL's environmental solutions have enabled EPA to make
sound decisions and achieve great success in performing its mission.
Organization
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NRMRL is divided into divisions and staff organizations that directly support EPA's goals to protect human health ;
Air Pollution Prevention and Control
(Research Triangle Park, North Carolina)
Responsible for research, development, and
evaluation of air pollution control technologies.
Conducts research, develops and demonstrates
air pollution prevention and control technologies
for key industries, electric power plants,
incinerators, indoor environments and sources of
greenhouse gases.
Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration
(Ada, Oklahoma)
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 fluxes to other environmental media.
Land Remediation and Pollution Control
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
Conducts research at the basic level as well as
bench- and pilot-scale to explore innovative
solutions to current and future land pollution
problems.
Sustainable Technology
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
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
(Cincinnati, Ohio and Edison, New Jersey)
Conducts research to help prepare the primary
and secondary regulations for drinking water and
to develop technologies and strategies for
controlling waterborne contaminants.
Environmental Technology Assessment,
Verification and Outcomes
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
Serves as a focal point for EPA state-of-the-art
technology assessment and verification;
coordinates EPA and others in the private sector
to develop, test, and implement technologies to
protect the environment and human health.
Recognized as a national
leader in scientific and
engineering expertise and
capability, NRMRL's research
directly supports national
priorities to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, improve air
quality, manage chemical
risks, clean up hazardous
waste sites, and protect
America's water.
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TIONAL RISK MANAGEME
RESEARCH LABORATORY
Strengths
Research Successes
NRMRL scientists and engineers are protecting the environment by...
...verifying innovative diesel upgrade technologies designed to reduce pollutants in diesel engine
exhaust improving air quality, lowering ozone levels, and potential respiratory diseases.
...comparing emissions between biofuels and fossil fuels used in small industrial and commercial
boilers and providing decision makers confirmation of reduced C02 emissions from biofuel use.
...partnering with stakeholders to evaluate and demonstrate innovative technologies and improve the
cost-effectiveness of operation, maintenance, and replacement of the nation's aging and failing water
infrastructure.
...creating water distribution system simulators to evaluate and study the physical, chemical, and
biological reactions that occur inside drinking water pipelines to maintain a high level of water
quality.
...developing an advanced technology and process for improving bioremediation to clean up
contaminated soil and groundwater eliminating the need for costly excavation.
...advancing cost-effective permeable reactive barrier technologies to filter out and treat hazardous
materials during remediation of contaminated groundwater making hazardous cleanup easier and
more effective.
...testing and validating cost-effective "green" methods, like rain barrels and rain gardens that
communities can use to manage excess storm water runoff and prevent contaminants from entering
streams and water supplies.
NRMRL possesses unique strengths and
capabilities and is dedicated to providing
credible technological information and
scientific solutions that support national
priorities and protect human health and the
environment. NRMRL's strengths are:
• World-Class Scientists and Engineers
• Sound Science and Engineering Expertise
• State-of-the-Science Facilities
• Global Collaboration and Partnerships
• Innovative Technology Development
and Testing
• Visionary and Forward-looking Leadership
• Integrated, Multidisciplinary
Research Focus
NRMRL's mission intersects
with some of the most pressing
environmental issues facing the
nation and world today.
NRMRL's scientists, engineers,
and employees play a vital role
in developing sustainable
scientific and engineering
solutions to these issues to
protect human health and
the environment.
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Environmental risk management seeks to determine what environmental risks
exist and then determine how to manage, reduce or eliminate those risks in a
way best suited to protect human health and the environment.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
513-569-7772
www.epa.gov/nrmrl/
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NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
RESEARCH LABORATORY
NRMRL is focused on integrated, multidisciplinary research that reflects national
priorities, scientific requirements, and implementation realities. NRMRL's research
areas are directly linked to EPA's mission, goals, and priorities in order to provide
effective environmental solutions for the nation and world.
NRMRL Research Areas
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Indoor and ambient hazardous air pollutants
• Climate change adaptation
• Technology assessment and scenarios for implementation
• Regulated and unregulated drinking water contaminants
• Water infrastructure, water distribution, and source water protection
• Water quality restoration and protection, integrated watershed management
nutrient trading
• Site cleanup, land revitalization
• Hazardous wastes, resource management
• Toxic substances
• Ecosystem restoration
• Biotechnology, global climate change
• Endocrine disrupters
• Indoor contaminants control and characterization
• Environmental technology and chemistry
• Sustainable systems management, sustainability metrics
• Decision support tools, models, and methodologies
EPA Goals
Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Clean and Safe Water
Land Preservation and Restoration
Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
Emerging Areas
of Research
• Global Climate Change
• Green Infrastructure
• Environmental Sustainability of Urban,
Industrial, and Ecological Systems
• Endocrine Disrupting Chemical
Management
• Environmental Decision Support Systems
• Risk Management of Nanomaterials
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EPA/600/F-09/004 I June 2009
Collaboration and
Partnership Opportunities
EPA's scientists and engineers partner with federal agencies, states, academic
institutions, non-governmental and other organizations by using NRMRL facilities
to jointly develop the best possible scientific tools and information for solving
complex environmental challenges. Visit www.epa.gov/nrmrl/facilities.html for
more information on these opportunities.
Facilities
Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental
Research Center (AWBERC)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Scientists and engineers use the AWBERC
facility for research on water quality,
drinking water, land remediation, pollution
control, and sustainability. This research
facility is internationally recognized for its
water research and is a leader in the areas
of bioremediation and pollution prevention.
Center Hill Facility
Cincinnati, Ohio
Scientists at Center Hill research sediment
and soil contaminant interaction, form and
transport of contaminants in the environment,
bioavailability, waste containment and
disposal, landfill bioreactors, and waste
material leaching. The 21,000-square-foot
facility has 10 laboratories for bench- and
pilot-scale research projects, a high-bay
research area, a machine shop, and
specialized analytical equipment.
Test and Evaluation Facility (T&E)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Located on the grounds of Cincinnati's Mill
Creek wastewater treatment plant,
researchers conduct studies on new
treatment technologies for contaminants in
water and wastewater. They conceive,
design, fabricate, and evaluate a variety of
innovative water, wastewater, and
soil/sediment treatment technologies and
environmental monitoring and control
systems. T&E's unique high-bay area allows
for bench-, pilot-, and full-scale research.
Experimental Stream Facility (ESF)
Clermont County, Ohio
Supporting EPA's watershed approach, ESF
research provides a balance between
controlled laboratory conditions and the
variability of the natural environment
necessary to sustain native communities.
Scientists conduct studies to understand the
relationship dynamics between the plant
and animal life in the laboratory and those
in streams and rivers. ESF is a leader in
chemical dosing precision and failsafe
design in its experimental setup.
Research Triangle Park (RTP)
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Researchers characterize natural and
human-made sources of emissions, and
develop and demonstrate air pollution
prevention control technologies at the RTP
facility. Modelers, industry, and decision
makers use RTP technological products to
make indoor environments cleaner and to
reduce emissions from pollutants and
greenhouse gases.
Robert S. Kerr Environmental
Research Center
Ada, Oklahoma
Researchers at the Kerr Center develop
strategies and technologies to protect and
restore ground water, surface water, and
ecosystems affected by human-made and
natural events. The center contains
state-of-the-science analytical equipment to
study the transport and transformation of
contaminants in soil and ground water.
Urban Watershed Research Facility
Edison, New Jersey
Scientists at the Edison facility investigate
alternative approaches to managing
wet-weather runoff in urban settings. Storm
water in urban settings is rapidly and
purposefully transported from rooftops, parking
lots, and streets-where it has collected
pollutants-to sewers. This rapid runoff can
degrade receiving water and exceed treatment
capacity. Edison scientists develop innovative
solutions to these complex flow problems.
NRMRL scientists and engineers
provide the tools and expertise
to manage risks and
solve complex
environmental problems.
Printed with vegetable-based ink on paper
that contains a minimum of 50% post-consumer
fiber content and processed chlorine free.
Learn more at www.epa.gov/nrmrl/
Now, more than ever, EPA must be innovative and forward looking because the environmental
challenges faced by Americans all across our country are unprecedented. - Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
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