In 1997, through funding of a project on removal
of lead from carpets and upholstery (HUD), Dr. Lewis founded
the school's Environmental Health Research Lab (EHRL). Under
his guidance, this laboratory has been designated by the Saint
Louis University School of Public Health as an area of research
excellence. The laboratory now functions as the Divisional Laboratory
and has been used for student laboratory exercises, faculty
pilot studies, and funded research. Investigation conducted
at the Environmental Health Research Lab (EHRL) include characterizing
sources, pathways, and controls for environmental contaminants
that may lead to allergies, asthma, lead poisoning, and waterborne
diseases that primarily affect children.
The divisions faculty have conducted three major
scientific investigations in the laboratory. They include two
research grants, the Removal of Lead Contaminated House Dust
from Hard Surfaces and the Removal of Lead Dusts from Carpets
and Upholstery, both funded by the US Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD). The third investigation focused
upon Large Particle Allergen Inhalation from Contact with Surfaces
and its findings were published in the "Annals of Allergy,
Asthma, and Immunology."
The laboratory has also been used as a think
tank for international service related projects. Just recently,
the faculty, staff, and students of the division use the lab
to develop water filtration devices for the victims of Hurricane
Mitch in Honduras. The challenge was to develop a simple filtration
device made out of readily available products that could be
made and used by the people of Honduras. In addition to research
and service projects, the laboratory functions as a classroom
for the students in the Masters of Public Health program to
conduct lab exercises. Students labs ranging from culturing
waterborne pathogens to ventilation exercises have all been
conducted in the laboratory.
The Environmental Health Research
Lab (EHRL) is located in the Anheuser-Busch Institute building
on the medical campus of Saint Louis University
Anheuser-Busch Institute,
Lab 5E,
1755 South Grand Boulevard
St. Louis MO, 63104-1540
The 792 sq. ft. laboratory has
the following resources and many other shared resources at its
disposal:
5
Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO 63104 | Call: 800-782-6769 |
Fax: 314-977-8150 | Admissions Question: sphinfo@slu.edu
|
Website Maintenance: haasbl@slu.eduCopyright
2005
