science in ACTION
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
a
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEALTH EFFECTS INSTITUTE
Background
In 1980, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the motor
vehicle industry chartered the Health
Effects Institute (HEI) to conduct
independent and impartial science to
address urban air quality problems in
the United States.
The 30-year, public-private
partnership between EPA and I-IEI in
Boston has produced critical
research to improve the nation's air
quality.
To continue this partnership. EPA
has awarded HEI $25 million in
grant funding for 2010-2015 to
provide innovative research to
improve air quality.
The EPA-HEI partnership has
continuously provided impartial
science that is timely, targeted, and
useful to addressing the important
air quality problems in the nation.
This renewed funding will help
advance research to tackle the
newest challenges to protecting air
quality, including the impacts of
climate change and air pollution
mixtures in the atmosphere.
Research Focus
EPA and HEI are developing the
next generation of tools and
scientific information to examine the
combined effects of air pollution on
human health and the relationship
between air quality and climate
change.
Research by HEI will be clustered
within the following four themes:
• Multipollutant Exposure,
Epidemiology, and Toxicology -
No one is exposed to only one
pollutant at a time. This research
will consider the health effects of
exposure to a range of pollutants
(ozone, particles, air toxics, and
others) under different scenarios,
including climate change.
Assessing the Public Health
Impact of Air Quality Actions -
Assessing the health outcomes
associated with air quality
improvements is important in
evaluating the success of HEI's
research program. This research
will further examine options for
long-term, systematic studies of a
variety of subjects (e.g., biofuels,
urban pollution "hot spots," and
reduced exposures in susceptible
populations).
Emerging Fuels and
Technologies - New fuels (e.g.,
ethanol) and technologies (e.g.,
hybrid vehicles) are increasing
fuel efficiency and reducing
climate-changing emissions. Tliis
research will identify any
additional emissions from these
technologies that may cause
increases in other pollutants. The
full life cycle - from source
extraction and production through
combustion and disposal - of these
new fuels and technologies will be
explored.
• International Perspective - Air
quality and climate change are
international issues. This research
will allow HEI to take advantage
of unique geographic, population,
or technical opportunities and
work with leading scientists from
around the world to answer key
science questions. HEI will work
with the vehicle and energy
markets in Asia and Latin
America to encourage science-
based decisions.
Issues that will be incorporated
into each of the research themes
are Sensitive Populations (e.g.,
older adults). Innovation (e.g.,
new methods and research
questions), and Validation (e.g.,
reanalysis and toxicology).
Learn more at;
www, e i) a. gov/ ncer/hei
www.ei)a.gov/airscience
CONTACT:
Me! Peffers, EPA's Office of Research
and Development, 703-347-8126,
peffers.mel@epa.gov
FEBRUARY 22,2011
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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