NIEHS Launches Enviro Database on Katrina

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C. has created a database to help assess environmental hazards in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The resource aims to provide up-to-date information for public health and safety workers on contaminants in floodwaters, infrastructure and industry maps. It also offers census maps on minority populations in the affected region.

"With a disaster of this magnitude, people need many things, including easy access to science-based information so they can make informed decisions to further reduce their risk of harm," NIEHS Director Dr. David Schwartz said a statement. "Consolidating information in this new website is one vehicle that NIEHS is using to help our fellow citizens."

Duke University in Durham, N.C. and the Research Triangle Institute in Research Triangle Park are among the organizations helping NIEHS develop the site.