Researchers and students in the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences work closely with industry and labor partners to promote workplace safety and investigate occupational health issues.
Our research examines on-the-job injuries, chemical and biological exposures, repetitive movement and vibration, sexual harassment, heat illness, MRSA infection and noise pollution, among other areas.
That research is informed by the services we provide, including worker training, workplace health and safety consultations, laboratory testing and our Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic. These services are in turn strengthened by our research and provide real-world training opportunities for our students.
Research spotlight
Protecting Washington workers in the heat
Xinyuan Hao, 2026 DEOHS Outstanding Master’s Student, evaluates heat risks for outdoor workers
How safe are hair extensions?
DEOHS MS alum Dawn Johnston taps into her background in haircare to study toxic chemicals in synthetic hair braids
Experts warn of a weed killer’s health harms
At Seattle Glyphosate Symposium, dozens of scientists urge regulators to protect public health from the widespread pesticide