USC Environmental Health Centers seek to inform people about the health effects of pollution through Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NIEHS.
USC Environmental Health is home to two nationally-funded Centers, the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the Southern California Children's Environmental Health Center (SC-CEHC), funded by the U.S. In these Centers, USC faculty collaborate with scientists at UCLA, Cal-Tech and Children’s Hospital
04/21/2026
🌎 Earth Focus examines how climate change is shaping Southern California. New episodes explore the environmental impact of large stadium events, the public health effects of urban oil drilling, how noise pollution affects marine mammals, and food inequality in California.
📺 Tune in: Wednesdays, starting April 22, at 7:30p.m. on
03/13/2026
🌡️ Heat waves are here!
Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for kids, older adults, outdoor workers, and people with health conditions. When temperatures rise:
💧 Drink plenty of water
🧢 Stay in the shade or cool indoor spaces
⏰ Avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours
👥 Check in on neighbors, family, and friends
Small steps can make a big difference in protecting our communities during extreme heat. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and look out for one another. ☀️💙
✨This past weekend our friends at the hosted an event “Music for Change” to celebrate the intersection of people, music, and change in the world. Thank you for having us and allowing us to share a little about our take on spaces and human health. 🌱
01/14/2026
🚨 New Infographic Alert 🚨
Despite a global phaseout, methyl bromide (MeBr),a toxic, ozone-depleting fumigant is still widely used in California, putting port-adjacent communities at risk.
Our new infographic breaks down:
🧠 The health impacts of MeBr exposure
🏭 Where and why it’s still used
📍 Why LA County port communities are especially affected
👶🏻Why children are more vulnerable
This infographic is complemented by a new peer-reviewed study showing that MeBr remains in widespread use across the state, with disproportionate impacts in Los Angeles County port communities.
📄 Article and infographic link in bio!
11/06/2025
🚢Big things are happening at the port!
Join the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation for a community update on the EPA Clean Ports Program 🚚🍃
🚢¡Están pasando grandes cosas en el puerto!
Únase a la Harbor Community Benefit Foundation para obtener una actualización de la comunidad sobre el Programa de Puertos Limpios de la EPA 🚚🍃
📅 Monday, Nov 17 | 6–7:30 PM
📍 LA Harbor College, Tech 110
🎀 October is — and we’re spotlighting how our environment plays a role in breast health.
Learn how small changes can make a big difference — watch our student intern share tips to reduce harmful exposures. 🌿
10/30/2025
This week the NIEHS P30 centers gathered for their annual meeting. Our staff and researchers shared a key collaboration with in which we monitored and investigated local pollution hot spots in the San Gabriel Valley. This work highlights the underestimation of seasonal, localized PM2.5 pollution and the feasibility of using DIY air filters as a low-cost option for residents.
10/07/2025
Join us this Sunday in Chinatown!
The Community and Environment Research Lab at UCI is leading a hands-on soil sampling and air monitoring workshop in collaboration with Metabolic Studios. Learn how communities can better understand their local environments through science and collective action.
📍 Chinatown
📅 Sunday
🔗 RSVP here: https://form.jotform.com/252474645151154
08/01/2025
📰 NEW READ: “A decade after Exide shut down, Maywood residents continue to experience the ‘death cycle of plastic’”
by Emily Estrada via
Even 10 years after the Exide battery plant shut down, families in Maywood are still dealing with the toxic aftermath — lead, arsenic, and broken promises.
Writer Emily Estrada sheds light on the ongoing environmental injustice, and highlights the crucial work of Dr. Jill Johnston, whose research with connects toxic soil to traces of lead in children’s baby teeth. Her voice reminds us this isn’t just pollution — it’s public health, equity, and the right to a safe home.
📚 Read Emily’s full article at highschool.latimes.com.
🗣️ Huge kudos to Emily for lifting up community voices!
05/08/2025
This summer, protect your home from toxins—DIY style!
Join us for FREE environmental health workshops at Unidad Park (1650 Beverly Blvd), packed with fun, hands-on activities + community resources!
Workshop Lineup (10–11 AM):
• May 17 – DIY Green Cleaning
• May 31 – DIY Personal Care
• June 7 – DIY Air Filters
• June 21 – Breast Health
Come learn, create, and connect!
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Este verano, protege tu hogar de las toxinas, ¡estilo DIY!
¡Únase a nosotros para talleres GRATUITOS de salud ambiental en Unidad Park (1650 Beverly Blvd), lleno de actividades divertidas y prácticas + recursos comunitarios!
Alineación del taller (10-11 a. m.):
•17 de mayo - Limpieza ecológica
•31 de mayo - Productos de uso personal
•7 de junio - Filtros de aire
• 21 de junio - Salud de los senos
Ven a aprender, crear y conectar!
Ambiental
