NHMC scientific and risk assessment services address risks to human health and the environment from exposure to hazardous or toxic substances. Our services are broad enough to address these risks throughout their life cycle, from the emission and dispersion of hazardous substances in the environment, through human exposure, to the mitigation of the risks and the protection of human health and the environment.

At each stage, NHMC specializes in certain scientific methodologies and in certain applications. The four specialties below are illustrated with projects indicating the extent and focus of our experience.

Environmental and Human Health Risk Assessment — For many years, NHMC has been a leader in environmental and human health risk assessment and in the related fields of toxicology, exposure modeling, and fate and transport modeling.
Air Quality Assessment — NHMC has long been at the forefront of the development and application of computer models to simulate the effects on air quality of emissions of atmospheric contaminants from transportation and industrial sources.

Environmental Impact Assessment — Drawing upon the full range of environmental science and engineering disciplines, we assess the potential impacts on human health, welfare, and the environment of major construction projects. These assessments are usually required by environmental agencies and international financing institutions before construction starts on any major project (a highway, a pipeline, a resource extraction facility). NHMC recommends measures that can mitigate potential impacts and safeguard human health and the environment.

Risk Management Programs — Facilities that produce, store, or use hazardous chemicals are increasingly instituting risk management programs to prevent serious releases of those chemicals and respond to accidental releases. NHMC works with state and local government agencies to help set up risk management programs for regulated facilities. We model and analyze the consequences of possible accidents for planning purposes, and we provide technical assistance and outreach to regulated facilities.