ESRAC’s mission is to provide expertise to industry, the community, and researchers in the areas of human exposure science and risk assessment of chemical, biological, and physical hazards to workers and communities, with an emphasis on the built environment. The approach promotes viewing environmental exposures in the context of human health and safety through hazard identification, monitoring and modeling of exposures, characterizing health effects and risks, and evaluating interventions, mitigation strategies, and economic impact of these exposures.
ESRAC's work spans research, education, and community engagement. Investigators study environmental health challenges including pathogen transmission, water and air quality, food safety, and healthcare-associated infections.
The Center combines laboratory research, field studies, and quantitative modeling to translate scientific findings into policies, technologies, and practical interventions that improve health and safety.
ESRAC operates through a collaborative team science model, bringing together expertise in microbiology, public health, medicine, epidemiology, engineering, and mathematical modeling. This interdisciplinary approach enables researchers to address complex exposure pathways from source to health outcome.
Founded in 2013 by Kelly Reynolds, PhD, Mary Kay O'Rourke, PhD, and Leslie Dennis, PhD, ESRAC was established through the Water, Environmental and Energy Solutions (WEES) initiative to address growing public health needs related to environmental exposures and infection risks. From the beginning, interdisciplinary collaboration has been central to the Center's work, connecting scientists across fields to produce research that translates into practical guidance for communities, industry, and policymakers.