Fig. 1 - NIH landscape near Stoney Creek.
Air conservation and emissions control are critical components of NIH environmental management. These issues are addressed under two broad categories of emission sources: stationary sources and transportation sources.
NIH Air Emissions-Stationary Sources
Lighting, heating, cooling, and other activities generate air emissions that can cause atmospheric pollution and contribute to childhood asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. To address such issues, the NIH Air Emissions-Stationary Sources team is composed of members of the Division of Property Management and the Division of Environmental Protection within the Office of Research Facilities. The team has identified several sources of known and potential air emissions resulting from the operations of boilers, generators and other industrial equipment on campus.
The purpose of this program is to quantify emissions by source, develop plans as needed, and implement best available technologies and management practices to reduce emissions. Of particular concern are emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO)(ozone precursors), ozone depleting substances, and ethylene oxide, which present significant health hazards and some environmental effects. The Air Emissions –Stationary Sources Program will focus on studying the financial and technological feasibility of implementing new technologies to reduce emissions of these chemicals.
NIH Air Emissions-Transportation Sources
The transportation of goods and people can cause significant environmental impact through air emissions from transportation sources such as cars, trucks, buses, etc. NIH addresses these sources through a range of programs that seek to shift transportation practices to more energy-efficient, and less emissions-intensive, approaches.
The Division of Travel and Transportation Services offers NIH employees alternatives to commuting singly in individually-owned cars. Options include the Transhare Program, carpool/vanpool through the Ridefinders Network, bike racks and campus shuttles. These commuting options help ease traffic congestion, decrease pollution, and reduce stress.
Fig. 2 - Bike Parking at NIH.
Other programs that relate to Air Conservation Include:
Related References and Links