About TIEHH
Researchers and students at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health and the Department of Environmental Toxicology study how toxic chemicals impact the environment and people and use science-based risk assessment to support sound environmental policy and law.
More than 200 core and adjunct faculty, students, staff and research collaborators from Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and other institutions across the nation are involved in TIEHH’s academic initiatives and research programs. The institute stimulates and develops environmental and health sciences research and education at Texas Tech University/Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
With more than 50 master’s and doctoral students, the interdisciplinary program teaches within an atmosphere of superior scholarship so as to position Texas Tech as a premier source of environmental research.
The institute was established May 9, 1997, and currently comprises six buildings and more than 150,000-square-feet at Reese Technology Center. The center’s Department of Environmental Toxicology was established in 2000. As well as studying chemical, biological and environmental issues, TIEHH also researches issues related to anti-terrorism and biological threats.
Through TIEHH, the Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. National Program for Countermeasures to Biological and Chemical Threats addresses chemical and biological warfare concerns. Researchers have come together to address the development of new technologies to enhance military operational capabilities for military protection and improved readiness.
The facility is approaching $50 million in research grants and contracts since its establishment. Recent research that grabbed headlines includes studying the potential impact of the toxic substance perchlorate in the environment and the development of a nonwoven fabric that absorbs and neutralizes toxic chemicals.