U of M | SPH | Batterman Lab - Exposure and Environmental Impact Assessment

Our teaching and research address a wide range of topics in occupational, indoor and environmental settings. Topics include exposure assessment (especially for particulate matter and volatile organic compounds or VOCs); emerging contaminants in occupational, ecological and environmental settings (e.g., brominated flame retardants); biological monitoring (e.g., blood, breath); air quality monitoring (indoor, outdoor); air pollution control engineering (e.g., vapor and particle air filtration); and environmental epidemiology. Other research activities include characterization of VOCs and SVOCs in air, soils and fuels, environmental impact assessment, health impact assessment, risk assessment, environmental statistics, uncertainty analysis; VOC measurement techniques, disinfection by-products in drinking water; hazardous waste/medical waste management; environmental justice; sustainable systems; urban scale air pollutant modeling; environmental impacts of energy production; infectious water-related diseases; and life cycle analysis. Much of this work is done internationally, especially in Africa and Europe.

Research Areas

Ambient air quality and air pollution epidemiology.

Urban scale pollution, including conventional and toxic air pollutants, are examined using a variety of monitoring, modeling, and source apportionment techniques.

Indoor air quality.

Pollutant concentrations indoors often exceed outdoor levels. We examine factors affecting IAQ, including emissions, air exchange rates, and occupant behaviors, and also examine means to improve air quality and reduce exposure.

Emerging chemical threats and environmental measurements.

Brominated and fluorinated compounds are now ubiquitous in the environment. Many of these contaminants bioaccumulate in fish and other organisms. We are investigating the sources and pathways that lead to exposure. The ability to make measurements of toxic chemicals in environmental and biological media is key to understanding exposures. Our laboratory activities focus on organic chemicals ranging.. >> more

Occupational exposures, including hospital and hazardous waste .

Workers can be highly exposed to chemicals, and the ability to understand sources and activities that lead to contaminant exposure is essential in mitigating exposures and risks. Often, occupational studies of chemical exposure increase the understanding the effects of chemical exposures. Exposures out of the workplace, in homes, outdoors, vehicles, and other settings, are also important and contribute.. >> more

Infectious Water-Related Disease.

Water and disease-related issues represent major roadblocks on the path to sustainable development. For example, about 80% of illness and death in the developing world is water-related; half the world's hospital beds are occupied by people with water-related diseases; water-related illness (diarrhea and malaria alone) are by far the largest cause of under-five mortality (34%) in Africa in the 2000-03.. >> more

International Health.

In Africa and elsewhere, there is huge need for capacity development and research to address local needs. The Fogarty International Center, World Health Organization, CDC, and others support training and infrastructure projects. Faculty and occasionally students participate in these endeavors.

Energy, Environment, and Sustainability.

Energy production and utilization accounts for the bulk of air pollutant emissions, including conventional, toxic, and greenhouse gas emissions. This area of research involves both primary energy sources, transportation, and the built and urban environment.

Ambient air quality and air pollution epidemiology. Urban scale pollution, including conventional and toxic air pollutants, are examined using a variety of monitoring, modeling, and source apportionment techniques.
Indoor air quality. Pollutant concentrations indoors often exceed outdoor levels. We examine factors affecting IAQ, including emissions, air exchange rates, and occupant behaviors, and also examine means to improve air quality and reduce exposure.
Emerging chemical threats and environmental measurements. Brominated and fluorinated compounds are now ubiquitous in the environment. Many of these contaminants bioaccumulate in fish and other organisms. We are investigating the sources and pathways that lead to exposure. The ability to make measurements of toxic chemicals in environmental and biological media is key to understanding exposures. Our laboratory activities focus on organic chemicals ranging.. >> more
Occupational exposures, including hospital and hazardous waste . Workers can be highly exposed to chemicals, and the ability to understand sources and activities that lead to contaminant exposure is essential in mitigating exposures and risks. Often, occupational studies of chemical exposure increase the understanding the effects of chemical exposures. Exposures out of the workplace, in homes, outdoors, vehicles, and other settings, are also important and contribute.. >> more
Infectious Water-Related Disease. Water and disease-related issues represent major roadblocks on the path to sustainable development. For example, about 80% of illness and death in the developing world is water-related; half the world's hospital beds are occupied by people with water-related diseases; water-related illness (diarrhea and malaria alone) are by far the largest cause of under-five mortality (34%) in Africa in the 2000-03.. >> more
International Health. In Africa and elsewhere, there is huge need for capacity development and research to address local needs. The Fogarty International Center, World Health Organization, CDC, and others support training and infrastructure projects. Faculty and occasionally students participate in these endeavors.
Energy, Environment, and Sustainability. Energy production and utilization accounts for the bulk of air pollutant emissions, including conventional, toxic, and greenhouse gas emissions. This area of research involves both primary energy sources, transportation, and the built and urban environment.

Batterman Lab - Exposure and Environmental Impact Assessment

Additional Information

Research Areas