Department of Environmental Health
We’re leading the global charge to understand and solve the world’s most pressing environmental health challenges. Learn how we can make an impact together.
665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 1301
Boston, MA 02115
Research
The Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is at the forefront of research on the most pressing public health issues in 21st-century society, including investigating the health impacts of exposures such as air pollution, climate change, forever chemicals, heavy metals, microplastics, and more.
Our research methodologies include:
- Epidemiology
- Epigenomics
- Longitudinal Data
- Cohort Studies
- Exposomics
- Engineering & Monitoring
- Causal Methodologies
- Risk Assessment
- Physiology
- Toxicological Studies
- Lifetime
Research Themes
Allergy & Asthma
Researchers at the Department of Environmental Health seek to transform the landscape of allergy and asthma research by focusing on environmental influences and developing public health strategies to prevent and mitigate these conditions.
Built Environment
The built environment is the human-made surroundings where people live, work, play, and get together. When the built environment is poorly designed or neglected, it can have serious public health repercussions including physical inactivity, increased air pollution, injuries and accidents, poor mental health outcomes, and exposure to environmental hazards. Through studies of urban planning, innovative policy interventions, community engagement, and much more, the Department of Environmental Health is helping to better understand and craft a healthier built environment.
Climate and Sustainability
Climate and sustainability research in the Department of Environment Health explores the impacts of climate change and environmental sustainability on human health and safety. This interdisciplinary field integrates environmental science, public health, and public policy to address the diverse health risks posed by climate change while promoting sustainable practices that support public health. Our research addresses immediate health risks from the environment, and it also focuses on long-term strategies to build sustainable communities that can withstand and adapt to a changing climate.
Environmental Justice
Environmental justice is grounded in the belief that everyone has the right to live in a safe, healthy, and pollution-free environment, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or other socioeconomic factors. The Department of Environmental Health is dedicated to understanding and addressing the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across different groups by investigating pollution exposure, access to resources, environmental policy, epidemiological studies, historical context, and systemic inequality.
Exposomics
While still in its early stages, this field holds immense potential for revolutionizing our understanding of health. Research in exposomics in the Department of Environmental Health examines a person’s exposome: the comprehensive record of an individual’s environmental exposures throughout their lifetime. This innovative approach promises to pave the way for personalized medicine and improved disease prevention strategies, and foster a healthier future for all.
Occupational Health & Safety
Research in occupational health in the Department of Environmental Health is founded on a philosophy of creating safe and healthy work environments for all. Our mission is to integrate scientific knowledge, recommended regulatory standards, and public health best practices to protect the well-being of workers across a variety of industries and to promote work environments where individuals can thrive.
Radiation Sciences
Radiation biology is a vital area of research in the Department of Environmental Health, where we explore the profound effects of radiation on living organisms to protect and enhance public health. Our mission is to unravel the complex biological effects of radiation so we can mitigate its dangers while harnessing its key potential.
Reproductive Health
Environmental Reproductive Health explores the impact of environmental exposures (including air pollution, forever chemicals, endocrine disruptors, and metals) on adverse health outcomes across the lifespan, with a specific focus on the pregnancy and postpartum period. This work also includes research into the effects of environmental exposures on menstrual and gynecologic conditions.
Environmental Determinants of Health
Research into environmental determinants of health looks at the combination of environmental health and social determinants of health. Social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. Research into environmental determinants of health includes looking at how geographic location may impact exposure to toxins, and how lack of access to green space, healthy food, and medical care may worsen health outcomes across the lifetime.
Research Areas by Exposure Type
At the Harvard Chan School’s Department of Environmental Health, we are pioneering research that tackles one of our most critical public health issues: air pollution.
The study of biologicals in public health focuses on understanding the role of microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi) in the environment and their impact on human health.
The way buildings, cities, and infrastructure are designed and constructed all have significant impacts on public health.
Research at the department of Environmental Health includes investigations into endocrine-disrupting properties of certain chemicals.
Synthetic chemicals, including PFAS/forever chemicals, PCBs, phenols, phthalates, and others are increasingly the focus of research looking into the impacts on human health, and well as the environment.
Access to greenspace such as urban parks, forests, and even increased tree-cover in neighborhoods can have additional benefits including reducing exposure to air pollution, extreme heat, and stress, while increasing opportunities for physical activity and social connection.
The Department of Environmental Health faculty members are at the forefront of examining how metal exposure impacts human health and development.
The emerging field of microplastics explores the impact tiny plastic particles have on human health.
Noise pollution is a growing problem that can lead to sleep disruption and insomnia, as well as chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety.
This research field in the Department of Environmental Health explores how nutritional choices can support personal health and benefit the health of the planet.
Occupational health is dedicated to improving the health and safety of people in the workplace by examining the impact of various occupational hazards
Radiation biology is a vital area of research in the Department of Environmental Health, where we explore the profound effects of radiation on living organisms to protect and enhance public health.
Researchers at the department of Environmental Health are working to investigate the impacts of these toxic exposures in drinking water, while also working in communities and with policymakers to mitigate the health impacts, and prevent future exposures.