niehs sustainability report 2013 508

8/19/2019 Niehs Sustainability Report 2013 508

1/19

NIEHS Sustainability Report 2013

Naonal Instutes of Health • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


2/19

Table of Contents

Introduction: Translating Passion Into Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

A Message From Our Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

NIEHS People Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Public Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Strategic Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Natural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Energy and Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Waste and Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Information Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17


3/19

Introduction:

Translating Passion Into Impact

Mission

The NIH mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about thenature and behavior of living systems, and the application of thatknowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdensof illness and disability.

The mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is

to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives

Vision

The vision of NIEHS is to provide global leadership for innovative research that

improves public health by preventing disease and disability.

Sustainability

A healthy planet is essential for human health. By promoting sustainability

NIEHS seeks to ensure that we will continue to have the materials and natura

resources to sustain and improve human health, which includes promoting a

healthy environment. As we perform vital research, we remain focused on ou

own footprint on the environment and human health.

Our Institute has increased transparency and expanded our social network. We

welcome feedback from our community regarding our research, strategic plan

and sustainability measures. Working together with our stakeholders, we benefit

from shared ideas and improved understanding.

We continue to pursue and invest in energy-efficient and environmentally

friendly technologies, materials, and products. We work to reduce our waste

and pollution by reusing and recycling, choosing greener alternatives in our

laboratories, and diligently monitoring our waste streams. We have increased our

use of technology as an alternative to air travel and employee commuting, helpingreduce our overall carbon footprint. Our promise to continue such improvements

includes a commitment to report our progress to you, and this report is a key

element of that public accountability.

While focusing this report on the impact of our own operations, we encourage

our partners and suppliers to join us in meeting the expectations set for us in

federal Executive Orders and in HHS policy. Together, we can make a difference

and create a more sustainable world while advancing our scientific mission.

NIEHS SUSTAINABILI TY REPORT 2013 • 1

http://www.hhs.gov/about/sustainabilityhttp://www.hhs.gov/about/sustainability


4/19

A Message From Our Director

We have continued to make significant progress in reaching our sustainability

goals. Our strong commitment to reducing impacts on human health and the

environment has been a driving force, with creative input and effort from staff

throughout the Institute.

Technology has enabled us to meet remotely, create and distribute electronic

versions of newsletters, and increase the efficiency of our operations while

creating energy reductions. These and many other measures have helped us

reduce paper and printing, cut energy and water consumption, and increase our

waste diversion.

Since 2010, we have:

• Reduced water consumption 16 percent

• Cut electricity use 7.5 percent

• Increased recycling 41 percent

• Added hybrid vehicles to our fleet

• Removed 34 percent of our copiers and upgraded to more energy efficientmodels

To share best practices and collaborate on new projects, we actively participate

in partnerships such as NIH Green Teams and the NIH Sustainability Managemen

Team. Through presentations and outreach events hosted on our campus, we

connect with scientists, staff, and visitors. Such collaboration and feedback is

critical to discovering new opportunities to improve our own sustainability, as

well as to share our best practices with others. Examples include:

• Lab corridors — by moving recycling bins inside the labs, we increasedrecycling while creating safer and cleaner hallways.

• Freezers — an investigation found that older ultra-low temperaturelaboratory freezers can use the same amount of energy per year as a typical U.S. home. Newer technology uses less energy and allows more

storage capacity in the same footprint. Using a “cash for clunkers”program, we cut the number of freezers and reduced energy use withoutloss of storage space.

We are proud of our achievements, and we have high aspirations for the future

Thanks for your interest in reading this report and sharing in our pursuit of

sustainability!


http://nems.nih.gov/teams/Pages/NIEHS.aspxhttp://nems.nih.gov/teams/Pages/NIEHS.aspx


5/19

NIEHS People Power

Engaging external stakeholders is an important part of our mission. Through

meetings, symposiums, and community forums, we share information and insight

while collecting valuable feedback, promoting thoughtful conversation, and

coming up with meaningful solutions. Our employees’ voluntary support to the

community also helps keep us engaged and in touch. Some examples include:

• Environmental Stewardship Initiative meeting every April

• Sustainable Remediation Symposium

• Community forums

•

Green chemistry • Feds Feed Families

• Combined Federal Campaign

Our employees enjoy opportunities to learn about and promote awareness and

sustainable lifestyles. The joint campuses of NIEHS and EPA share a stunning

23-acre lake. In 2012, a lake-naming event brought everyone together to advocate

the safekeeping and prosperity of this lake, and all natural areas on our shared

campus. The name chosen was Discovery Lake. Other events and activit ies include

• Annual Spirit Lecture

• Annual Earth Day events, including a farmers market and speakers• Lakeshore cleanup and adopt a highway programs

• Annual health and fitness week

• Recognition events for postdoctoral fellows and animal technicians

• New events in 2012: America Recycles Day and Medicine Take Back Day

NIEHS has achieved many awards, honors, and milestones over its history. Without

exception, we continue to progress and achieve limitlessly. Honors and milestones

include:

•

National Toxicology Program achieves division status• APHA’s Environment Section celebrates 100 years

• NIEHS and Combined Federal Campaign 50 years

• NIH turns 125 years old

• NIEHS/NTP celebrates 20-year partnership agreement with U.S. Foodand Drug Administration

• Superfund Research Program creates 200th edition SRP Research Briefs

• NIEHS achieves AAALAC accreditation (since 1972)

!


http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/april/spotlight-environmental/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/july/spotlight-henry/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/november/spotlight-laforum/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/october/science-green/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/10/inside-fedsfeed/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2013/2/inside-cfc/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/stewardship/lake/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/september/spotlight-srp/index.cfmhttp://www.aaalac.org/http://www.aaalac.org/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/september/spotlight-srp/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/stewardship/lake/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2013/2/inside-cfc/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/10/inside-fedsfeed/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/october/science-green/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/november/spotlight-laforum/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/july/spotlight-henry/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/april/spotlight-environmental/index.cfm


6/19

• Tox21 program investigates 10K chemical library

• Gulf Study enrollment milestone of 10K

•

Breast Cancer Fund honors NIEHS • November 2012: 25th Anniversary of Superfund Research Program

• Green Champions Good Neighbor Award for fiscal year 2011

• Green Champions Honorable Mention for Environmental Stewardship forfiscal year 2010


http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/1/spotlight-tox21/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/4/spotlight-gulfstudy/index.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/6/spotlight-breast/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/spotlight-srp/index.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/5/index.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/july/spotlight-recognized/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2011/july/spotlight-recognized/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/5/index.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/spotlight-srp/index.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/6/spotlight-breast/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/4/spotlight-gulfstudy/index.htmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/1/spotlight-tox21/


7/19

Public Access

Engaging the public and sharing information is a vital part of our mission. The use

of social media has expanded over recent years and NIEHS is fully immersed. With

more than 3,000 likes on Facebook, more than 30 videos on YouTube, and more

than 8,800 followers on Twitter, NIEHS has a solid presence. Other contributions

include sharing photos of meetings and events, hosting webinars, and publishing

press releases, fact sheets, and monthly newsletters.

Reporting is a fundamental and critical function of science. NIH-funded scientists

and collaborators generate hypotheses and data, make discoveries, and draw

conclusions. Through publication, they offer an opportunity to promote discussion

engage in peer review, create goals, and begin new endeavors. Reporting in 2011

and 2012 included:

• Report on Carcinogens — hazard evaluation

• Nanomaterial Registry — members of NIH leadership and advisory board

• Intramural publications in peer reviewed journals: 653 (2011) and692 (2012)

• Extramural publications in peer reviewed journals: 2829 (2011) and2478 (2012)


https://www.facebook.com/NIH.NIEHS?fref=tshttp://www.youtube.com/user/TheNIEHShttps://twitter.com/NIEHShttp://www.flickr.com/photos/niehs/with/8271506897/http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/allnewsletters/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/dntp/roc/index.cfmhttps://www.nanomaterialregistry.org/Default.aspxhttps://www.nanomaterialregistry.org/Default.aspxhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/dntp/roc/index.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/allnewsletters/index.cfmhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/niehs/with/8271506897/https://twitter.com/NIEHShttp://www.youtube.com/user/TheNIEHShttps://www.facebook.com/NIH.NIEHS?fref=ts


8/19

Strategic Focus

Sustainability requires strategic thinking. With stakeholder involvement, NIEHS

created a new 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, which sets a framework for advancing

environmental health science with the aim of improving health. This plan

provides direction, guidance, and inspiration for our Institute and incorporates

six strategic themes:

• Fundamental research

• Exposure research

• Translational science

•

Health disparities and global environmental health • Training and education

• Communications and engagement

NIEHS maintains a strong focus on prevention, lessening the burden of disease on

our society by promoting balance in environmental and human health for future

generations. For example, as co-lead agency on the topic of environmental health

and a key partner for the respiratory diseases for Healthy People 2020, NIEHS is

poised to partner with numerous other organizations to investigate topics ranging

from healthy homes and communities to global health.

2012-2017S T R A T E G I C P L A N

ancing Science, Improving Health:

A Plan for Environmental Health Research

National Institutes of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/strategicplan/index.cfmhttp://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=12http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=36http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspxhttp://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspxhttp://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=36http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=12http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/strategicplan/index.cfm


9/19

Natural Resources

The 511-acre campus we share with the EPA contains not only offices and labs

but also expanses of open fields and wooded areas. It seems appropriate that an

environmental institute would be placed in such verdant surroundings. We show

our gratitude and respect by protecting these areas for wildlife, and preserving

land and water quality and natural beauty.

We recognize the beauty of our campus, and work every day to protect it for us

and the habitat it supports. With more than 200 acres of forestry on our campus

and a 23-acre lake, we are reminded of our obligation to protect and preserve the

natural environment.

We have intensified our efforts to identify and manage invasive species in natura

areas, to determine potential impacts and consider future directions and planning

For example, sterile (non-proliferating) carp were added to our on-campus lake

to control invasive aquatic plants, thereby avoiding the need to use chemica

herbicides.

Terraces/Pavings

Trails/Paths

Landscaped Lawns

Building Footprint

Parking

Open Space

Roads/Driveways

Lake

Setbacks

Forest/Trees

0 50 100 150 200 250

0.6

2

4

7

8

11

15

24

95

211

Landscape Footprint

Acres



10/19

Energy and Water

We are acutely aware of the potential effects of global climate change on the

environment and human health. On the NIEHS campus, we have experienced

weather extremes and changing weather patterns in recent years. As a result

a focus on preparation and adaptation has sprung from necessity, and helped us

become a leaner, greener institute.

Biomedical research is energy intensive. With more than 1 million square

feet of labs and offices, it is challenging to find new ways to reduce. Surely

heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are a large source of

consumption, but requirements for the safety and well-being of those working

within a laboratory environment are paramount and force us to find new sources

for reduction.

Trends show a continued downward movement in our energy and wate

consumption. We have reduced water consumption more than 40 percent, and

a new reverse osmosis water system is expected to reduce these numbers even

more, recycling nearly 70 percent of our cooling tower blow-down water. This

should cause a leveling of the water demand for the months of June, July, and

August, instead of the large spikes in demand typically seen.

The main use of energy on our campus is heating and cooling, a weather-dependent

factor. Challenging but attainable goals have been set to reduce our energy intensity3 percent per year. We surpassed those goals for the last two years and plan to

reduce even more in the future. We continue to search for ways to improve our

operations and energy and natural resource consumption through Energy Savings

Performance Contracts (ESPCs), establishing metrics, and having conversations

with the scientific staf f about their needs and how we can conserve more.

We have made significant strides in upgrading equipment at our central utility

plant. By replacing two older chiller units with a single, high-efficiency model, we

will reduce energy, remove outdated refrigerants, and achieve more reliable and

efficient output.

We have surpassed all expected goals for water reduction, and continue to explore

opportunities to reduce even more. With our new reverse osmosis system in

place, we expect to achieve a reduction in the use of potable water for water loss

in evaporative cooling towers. With a 70 percent return after treatment, we could

reduce as much as 6 million gallons each summer. We look forward to providing

more results like these in the future.

NIEHS SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2013 • 8


11/19

4,500,000

4,000,000

3,500,0003,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Energy Consumption 2011-2012

Electricity 2012 Electricity 2011 Natural Gas 2012 Natural Gas 2011

E l e c t r i c i t y ( k W h )

N a t u r a l G a s ( C C F )

4,500,000

4,000,000

3,500,000

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Energy Consumption 2011-2012

Electricity 2012 Electricity 2011 Natural Gas 2012 Natural Gas 2011

E l e c t r i c i t y ( k W h )

N a t u r a l G a s ( C C F )

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

54,398

44,441

39,859

34,892 34,978 34,370

M i l l i o n G a l l o n s

Annual Water Consumption Trend

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012



12/19

Waste and Recycling

Our regulated waste remains proportionally the same, but a recent uptrend of

waste has occurred. This increase is based on an increase in research activities,

the turnover and decommissioning of some long-standing laboratories, and new

regulations on the management of waste streams from our darkroom facilities.

Although the generation of regulated waste results from mission-related activit ies

we continue to consult with research investigators to find alternative materials

and methods that are safer and less toxic.

A new laboratory corridor policy increased the recycling of some items that were

previously sent to the landfill. Our recycling program has increased in activityand volume as this corridor policy came into play. This program put recycling bins

inside the laboratory space, allowing for easier access for lab members along

with an increased frequency of collections.

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0Non-Reg RCRA Chemical Med/Path Universal Mixed Non-RCRAChemical Radioactive Radioactive

13,317

4,377 4,871

2,928

10,635

2401,342

24 17

21,375

17,934

12,041

2011

2012

Managed Waste 2011–2012

P o u n d s

Non-Reg = Non-regulatedRCRA = Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Med/Path = Medical/Pathological


http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lrca.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lrca.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lrca.html


13/19

0 50 100 150 200 250

2011

2012

Recycling Summary (Large Volume Materials)

Animal Bedding Compost

Construction & Demolition

Mixed Metals

Newspaper/Magazines

Office Fiber

Tons

174.4

223.5

73.0

47.2

38.1

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Recycling Summary (Small Volume Materials)

Waste Cooking Oil

Toner Cartridges

BatteriesE-waste

Ice Packs

Food Waste Compost

Confidential Material

X-ray Film

Corrugated Cardboard

Pallets

Polystyrene Foam

Lab Materials Commingled

Lab Glass

Containers

Shredded Paper

Tons

1.3

2.2

8.6

0.1

0.1

1.1

1.4

10.6

4.7

0.2

11.4

23.5

25.6

3.5

2.0

2011

2012



14/19

Emissions

The high temperature hot water (HTHW) generators (boilers) and emergency

generators produce emissions such as nitric oxide and nitrogen oxide (NOx)

sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). We have reduced the duration

time for testing emergency generators, thereby reducing emissions. Mild winters

have also reduced the heating demand on the HTHW generators and helped

maintain lower emissions.

35.00

30.00

25.00

20.00

15.00

10.00

5.00

0.002008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Calendar Year

21.00

31.00

16.50 17.1515.58

16.63

10.39

0.87

6.13

25.70 25.84 26.50

22.11

T o n s

CO

SO2

NOx

NIEHS/EPA NOx, SO2, and CO Emissions

4.003.00

The air emission of metals (e.g., lead) and particulate matter continues to decline

slowly. We continue to search for sources of these items to reduce even further

As an example, we reduced the frequency of radioactive waste treatment using

incineration. Reducing our pathological waste by weight and volume also reduces

the reliance on incineration for waste treatment .



15/19

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

1.721.65 1.66

0.67

0.35

0.17 Lead (Pounds

PM (Tons)

Lead and Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions Trend

0.44 0.39

1.91

1.45

Wastewater emissions have been on a downward trend for the last five years

Overall, we have reduced the volume of wastewater nearly 50 percent from our

baseline — a trend we expect to continue as we bring our reverse osmosis system

online in 2013.

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Wastewater Emissions Trend

M i l l i o n G a l l o n s

Month



16/19

Transportation

With a 42 percent increase in teleworkers since the last report, the Institute

has stepped up its game to promote more work-life balance and flexibility for

its workers. At the same time, teleworking has reduced emissions from daily

commutes. Alternative commuting, such as carpooling and bus transit, has

increased slightly as well.

Bus Riders

Carpool

Vanpool

Bicycle

Motorcycle

Teleworkers

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Transportation

2012

2011

Number of People



17/19

Maintaining and improving the fuel efficiency of our overall motor vehicle fleet

remains a challenge. A targeted information campaign and enhanced training

helped achieve better compliance with the federal mandate to use E85 for the

flex fuel vehicles. Fleet fuel efficiency, however, remains an area of neededimprovement.

NIEHS Fleet Vehicles Number

Fuel efficiency less than 10 mpg 24

Fuel efficiency 11-19 mpg 15

Fuel efficiency over 20 mpg 4

Flex fuel vehicles 24

Hybrids 2

Goals for the future include analyzing vehicle usage in our motor fleet to identify

potential vehicle reductions or shifting to more efficient models.



18/19

Information Technology

Biomedical research demands sophisticated and up-to-date technology to keep

up with the pace of change and rapidly expanding data generation. Since our last

report, the Institute has taken steps to improve efficiency and stewardship of

information technology (IT) resources. Some examples include:

• IT equipment energy reduction — using life cycle analysis for trackingand replacement, and Energy Star guidelines for equipment usage

• Network upgrade — allowing higher productivity for equipment and users

• Video conferencing and remote meeting technology upgrades — reducing travel needs, and improving eff iciency

• Spring cleaning events — taking old and outdated equipment out of service



19/19

Looking Ahead

With our goal of continuous improvement, we will seek opportunities in all of ou

operations to lessen our environmental and health impacts while advancing our

scientific mission. In the near future, we will focus on three priority areas:

• Enhance our initiatives in green chemistry, to create safer laboratoriesand to further reduce chemical waste. By engaging with our researchinvestigators, green chemistry options can be explored so that thepurchase and storage of chemicals can be minimized and better alignedwith mission needs.

• Achieve reductions in printing and paper use, to conserve resources and

lower energy consumption. Efforts would entail expanding the use of 100percent recycled content paper, and encouraging electronic documentstorage and transmission.

• Include sustainability principles and features in the early stages oflaboratory design and renovation, to improve predictability and efficiencyin the areas of sample, supply, and energy management.

niehs sustainability report 2013 508

Documents