Health Effects Institute
Encyclopedia
The Health Effects Institute (HEI) is a independent, non-profit corporation specializing in research on the health effects of air pollution
. It is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts
, USA.
HEI was founded in 1980 with Archibald Cox
as the founding chair of the organization. Typically, HEI receives half of its core funds from the worldwide motor vehicle industry and half from the United States Environmental Protection Agency
. Other public and private organizations periodically support special projects or certain research programs. To accomplish its mission, HEI's roles are:
HEI has funded over 250 studies in North America, Europe, and Asia that have produced research to inform decisions on carbon monoxide
, air toxics, nitrogen oxides, diesel exhaust
, ozone
, particulate matter, and other pollutants. The results of these endeavors have been published in over 200 Research Reports and Special Reports which are available electronically free of charge on the HEI website or in print form. At the urging of the World Health Organization
and countries throughout the world, HEI has extended its international research to help inform air quality decisions in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
All project results and HEI Commentaries are widely communicated through HEI's home page, Annual Conferences, publications, and presentations to legislative bodies and public agencies.
consists of leaders in science and policy who are committed to the public-private partnership model.
The Health Research Committee works with the scientific staff to develop the Five-Year Strategic Plan with input from HEI's sponsors and other interested parties, select research projects for funding, and oversee their conduct.
The Health Review Committee, which has no role in selecting or overseeing studies, works with staff to evaluate and interpret the results of funded studies and related research.
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
. It is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA.
HEI was founded in 1980 with Archibald Cox
Archibald Cox
Archibald Cox, Jr., was an American lawyer and law professor who served as U.S. Solicitor General under President John F. Kennedy. He became known as the first special prosecutor for the Watergate scandal. During his career, he was a pioneering expert on labor law and also an authority on...
as the founding chair of the organization. Typically, HEI receives half of its core funds from the worldwide motor vehicle industry and half from the United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
. Other public and private organizations periodically support special projects or certain research programs. To accomplish its mission, HEI's roles are:
- to identify the highest priority areas for health effects research
- to fund and oversee research activities
- to provide intensive independent review of HEI-support and related research
- to integrate HEI's research results with those of other institutions into broader evaluations
- to communicate its findings to industry, policy makers, and the public
HEI has funded over 250 studies in North America, Europe, and Asia that have produced research to inform decisions on carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
, air toxics, nitrogen oxides, diesel exhaust
Diesel exhaust
Diesel exhaust is the exhaust gas of a diesel engine....
, ozone
Ozone
Ozone , or trioxygen, is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope...
, particulate matter, and other pollutants. The results of these endeavors have been published in over 200 Research Reports and Special Reports which are available electronically free of charge on the HEI website or in print form. At the urging of the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
and countries throughout the world, HEI has extended its international research to help inform air quality decisions in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
All project results and HEI Commentaries are widely communicated through HEI's home page, Annual Conferences, publications, and presentations to legislative bodies and public agencies.
Organizational Structure
An independent Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
consists of leaders in science and policy who are committed to the public-private partnership model.
The Health Research Committee works with the scientific staff to develop the Five-Year Strategic Plan with input from HEI's sponsors and other interested parties, select research projects for funding, and oversee their conduct.
The Health Review Committee, which has no role in selecting or overseeing studies, works with staff to evaluate and interpret the results of funded studies and related research.