Promote Healthy People, Healthy Planet and Improve Care for All

Study finds disparities in drinking water quality in Wake County, NC

In Wake County, some predominantly African-American neighborhoods in urban areas completely lack access to nearby municipal water systems. As a result, residents are exposed to notably higher quantities of microbial contaminants via well water.

Pollution emitted near equator has biggest impact on global ozone

Research led by Dr. Jason West confirms that the location of air pollutants has a big impact upon ozone levels. Because the interplay of pollutants with higher temperatures speeds up the chemical reactions that form ozone, the worst effects of pollution are seen near the equator. West suggests that effects of current pollution levels could be difficult to remedy without strategic policy planning.

Researchers identify new methodology for examining changes in lung cells after pollution exposure

Hang Nguyen, MS, doctoral student of environmental science and engineering in the Gillings School, is first author of a recent study that provided the initial test of a new methodology for examining the genomic response of lung cells to real-world mixtures of air pollutants.

UNC Gillings' Water Institute, World Vision partnership will improve clean water access in 10 African nations

A six-year grant from World Vision to The Water Institute at UNC will create a partnership to improve water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in several low- and middle-income countries, with a long-term goal of helping to solve the global water and sanitation crisis by 2030.

Extending municipal water service would reduce emergency room visits linked to contaminated wells, study finds

The state of North Carolina could prevent an estimated 2,920 annual emergency department visits by extending community water service to 10 percent of the population that currently relies on private wells. This finding comes from a recent study co-authored by a professor and two alumni of the Gillings School's environmental sciences and engineering department.

UNC-led team to study California's high agricultural productivity despite years of drought

Dr. Gregory Characklis will lead a three-year, $3 million National Science Foundation-funded study to examine the interdependency of systems that supply food, energy and water in California. His research team will consider how, despite years of drought, the state has seen increases in the production of farm-raised food. Is that situation sustainable?

Key sources of air pollution-related deaths differ among world regions

May 19, 2016 The most significant emission source sectors for global air pollution-related deaths differ among world regions, finds a new study. For example, the residential and commercial sector has... Read more »

ESE student team awarded EPA’s ‘People, Prosperity and the Planet’ grant

February 29, 2016 A team of students working with Mark Sobsey, PhD, Kenan Distinguished Professor of environmental sciences and engineering (ESE) at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health,... Read more »