Episode 37. Environmental Health: Linda Birnbaum

Human health and environmental health are inextricably linked. We are negatively impacted by the same pollutants that harm other organisms, and we all live in a sea of synthetic chemicals that are part of our food supply, personal care products, the built environment, and just about every aspect of our lives. With us to gain a better understanding of the history of environmental health, especially the impact of pollutants on human health, is Linda Birnbaum. Linda received a B.A. in biology from the University of Rochester in 1967, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in microbiology from the University of Illinois in 1969 and 1972. She held various research and administrative positions in academia and government before taking on the directorships of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program in 2009. She retired from these directorships in 2019. Linda has published over 600 scientific articles, and is the recipient of numerous awards related to public health.