Since its inception in 1986, the primary mission of the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at Wayne State University has been to conduct biochemical and cellular research on the short- and long-term effects of environmental agents on human health. An evolving theme of the Institute is to address environmental health science problems that are prevalent in the Detroit region, including the toxicological effects of living in an industrial environment, and determining the underlying causes of health disparities in our population.

The IEHS maintains state-of-the-art Proteomics, Microarray & Bioinformatics, and Cell Culture & Gene Transfer core facilities which strengthens our research capabilities and stimulates collaboration within the broader Wayne State scientific community and beyond. The goal of the Community Outreach & Education core is to reduce disease risk by instituting programs aimed at increasing awareness of toxicants in our environment.

The Institute sponsors an interdisciplinary graduate program, offering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Molecular and Cellular Toxicology.

Dr. Melissa Runge-Morris is the interim director. Headquartered at the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is the EHS Center in "Molecular and Cellular Toxicology with Human Applications", an interdisciplinary center consisting of faculty from various departments, Centers / Institutes, and Schools, which is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.