Environmental Health

Discover MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine, the largest biomedical library in the world. Use MedlinePlus.gov anywhere, anytime, on any device - for free - to discover high-quality health and wellness information that is reliable, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish.

Discover information on:

• Asbestos
• Lead and tap water
• Lead levels - blood

Discover NIH

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.

• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• National Center for Environmental Health
• Environmental Protection Agency

Discover More

Social Media

Environmental Health Media Toolkits ​(CDC)

Handouts

Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution PDF
How to Dispose of Medicines Properly PDF

Podcasts

Living on Earth is a go-to source for the latest coverage of climate change, ecology, and human health. Hosted by Steve Curwood and brought to you by Public Radio Exchange - PRX.

Explore the Data

The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network brings together health data and environment data from national, state, and city sources and provides supporting information to make the data easier to understand. The Tracking Network has data and information on environments and hazards, health effects, and population health. Interact with the data by visiting https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/DataExplorer/#/

AirNow reports air quality using the official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded index designed to communicate whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy for you. The website highlights air quality in your local area first, while still providing air quality information at the state, national, and world views. An interactive map lets you zoom out to get the big picture or drill down to see data for a single air quality monitor. There's even a mobile app for your phone. When you know the AQI in your area, you can take steps to protect your health.

Engage Youth

Based on original reporting by a Pulitzer Prize finalist and an industry veteran, Poisoned Water is the first book for young adults about the Flint water crisis. Through interviews with residents and intensive research into legal records and news accounts, journalist Candy J. Cooper, assisted by writer-editor Marc Aronson, reveals the true story of Flint. Poisoned Water shows not just how the crisis unfolded in 2014, but also the history of racism and segregation that led up to it, the beliefs and attitudes that fueled it, and how the people of Flint fought―and are still fighting―for clean water and healthy lives.

Poisoned Water | Candy J Cooper and Marc Aronson | Bloomsbury Children's Books | 256 pages | ISBN: 978-1547602322 | Grade Level 5 - 9 | WorldCat

Watch and Discuss

Poisoned Water

Screen the PBS NOVA special report of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Poisoned Water uncovers the science behind this manmade disaster— from the intricacies of water chemistry to the biology of lead poisoning to the misuse of science itself. NOVA follows ordinary citizens and independent scientists who exposed the danger lurking in Flint’s water and confronted those who turned a blind eye. Poisoned Water Video Questions

Bag It

In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, Bag It, we follow "everyman" Jeb Berrier as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effect. Bag It Video Questions

Invite Speakers

NIEHS Speakers Bureau offers opportunities for scientists, technicians, and administrators to speak about a variety of topics in environmental health sciences, as well as educational preparation and career paths. Speakers are also available as judges and/or to participate in science fairs and festivals.

Offer Instruction

• NNLM National Health Observances Library Program Kit: Air Quality Awareness Week​
• NIEHS Science Education: Climate Change and Human Health Lesson Plans
• Environmental Health Student Portal provides educational materials about environmental issues that can affect health just for middle school students.