Wastewater is poured into,collection jars for testing.

Center for Healthy Air, Water and Soil

We work with communities to understand how the natural environment — air, water and soil — affects our health.

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Health and Place

The Center for Healthy Air, Water and Soil (CHAWS) investigates how urban environments impact population health. CHAWS specializes in exploring the links between air, water, soil and health with a focus on creating places where people can be healthy. We practice innovative science paired with partnerships and engagement with local government, the public and community organizations to make research accessible, applicable and actionable. 

Research Areas

CHAWS conducts environmental research that explores the relationships between human health and place, with a focus on air, water and soil.
Aerial photo of crisscrossing highways in Louisville Kentucky leading to and from two large bridges over Ohio River plus a…
Air

Air

We research how air pollution and air quality impact health.
Sam Kessler is testing the water at the Ohio river as he sits close to the edge of the river to retrieve and test the sample.
Water

Water

We research how water and wastewater can be used to monitor and promote health.
The team from BrightView delivering mulch at JCPS Olmsted Academy North plantings that are part of the Christina Lee Brown…
Soil

Soil

We research how land use can be related to human health outcomes.

Center for Healthy Air, Water and Soil by the Numbers

14

Team members 

16

Publications in FY2025

6

Active grants and contracts 

675

Wastewater samples analyzed annually