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Environmental Factor

Environmental Factor

Your Online Source for NIEHS News

February 2021

portion of U.S. map showing COVID-19 county map data

Pandemic vulnerability tool provides county-level snapshots

Visualizations of 12 risk factors support localized public health interventions to stem the pandemic's spread.

Even skin shielded from sun shows DNA changes from UV light

Dmitry Gordenin and Natalie Saini

NIEHS scientists measure human skin cells' whole-genome mutations, compare UV light effects with changes from normal body processes.

Chemicals in the environment can harm maternal health

two pregnant women talking

A pregnant woman's exposures may affect the baby as well as her own longer-term health.

family holding hands and walking
NIEHS program builds careers, changes lives

This latest in our series on racial equity initiatives highlights a new podcast about the Environmental Career Worker Training Program.
Bill Suk, Ph.D.
Superfund Research meeting focuses on community, cutting-edge science

Participants in the program's annual event joined virtual poster sessions, scientific presentations, technology fairs, and resource sharing.

Slideshow
National Radon Action Month
Watch out for radon! Podcast, citizen scientists spotlight health risk

During National Radon Action Month, NIEHS-funded efforts helped sound the alert about dangers of this naturally occurring radioactive gas.
a person sprays a mist of pesticide in a rice field
Inhaled paraquat enters brain, impairs sense of smell in male mice

In a novel mouse inhalation study, paraquat entered the brain and other tissues and affected sense of smell in males only.
Dmitri Zaykin, Ph.D.
NIEHS mourns passing of statistical geneticist Dmitri Zaykin

The tenured NIEHS scientist developed new methods to detect connections between genetic changes and health outcomes.
Kelly Lenox
Top Environmental Factor articles in 2020

Readers' curiosity reflects wide interest in environmental health, from endocrine disruption and climate change to COVID-19 and autism.
John Birks, Ph.D.
Air quality monitoring innovations merit small business recognition

2B Technologies wins prestigious Tibbetts Award from the Small Business Administration for its devices and student outreach program.

Video
Show Some Love
Crushing It: NIEHS employees double donation goal for charity

In a pandemic year, staff responded to the institute's annual drive for donations of funds and volunteer hours with overwhelming support.

Slideshow
Kristen Ryan, Ph.D.
COVID-19 testing staff greeted with tasty thanks

In a grassroots effort, Division of the National Toxicology Program volunteers surprised testers with an edible expression of gratitude.

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