2009 Bernstein Symposium
Presented by
University of Michigan Risk Science Center (UMRSC) and
Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center (NUATRC)
Exposure to air pollutants is dependent on numerous factors including geographic location, type of housing, proximity to source, work environment, and transportation. The steps to determining policies to protect the public’s health are many, and require collaboration across scientific disciplines for measuring emissions and exposures, identifying health effects, and performing mathematical modeling. The purpose of environmental regulation is to utilize the best science available to craft legislation that best protects the public health. The 2009 Bernstein Symposium will explore the high priority air toxics issues through emphasis on a cross-disciplinary approach. We seek to facilitate communication across disciplines and geographic boundaries as well as provide approachable, scientific information to risk communicators, policy makers, and the general public.
Registration will open in early fall. Look for an email announcement with further information.
Requests to join our e-mail list should be sent to Susan Johnson, johnsusa@umich.edu
View the proceedings of previous Bernstein Symposia:
2007 Nanotechnology and Health
2005 Calculation to Communication
The UMRSC is a research center focusing on important scientific issues that result from human exposure to health hazards. The Center serves as an independent and objective source of advice for citizens, elected officials, industry, and international bodies who are facing complex questions involving risks to human or ecological health. Our mission is to serve the public sector by promoting informed decision making and effective communication, providing a forum for debate on policy using evidence-based risk science, and educating risk scientists. For an overview of the UMRSC, see our poster.
The NUATRC, located in the Texas Medical Center, was authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (Title III, Sec. 112(p)), and incorporated in 1991. It is named after the late Congressman Mickey Leland, whose efforts on behalf of public health contributed significantly to the passage of key amendments to the Clean Air Act. The NUATRC is a research facility that has been specifically charged to sponsor and gather scientific information on the human health effects caused by exposure to air toxics. By law, it is a non-profit corporation, financed by government and private funds. For more information about the NUATRC, visit their website at http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mleland/.