Today's fire fighters have elevated rates of many types of cancer thought to be related to their exposure to chemicals while responding to fires.

An estimated 8,000,000 metric tons of plastic now pollute the world’s oceans, posing a threat we cannot see with the naked eye: microplastics.

"As top marine predators, marine mammals are our alarm bells — when they get sick from toxic exposure, we are next. Ocean conservation is human conservation."

—	Dr. Susan Shaw Founder/Director The Shaw Institute

Our research found microplastic fragments in Maine commercial seafood — oysters and mussels — that wind up on our dinner plates.

Using chemical dispersants in the Gulf oil spill left a “bathtub ring” of BP oil across 1,200 square miles of the seafloor. From dead corals to sick dolphins, the impacts are ongoing.

From flame retardants to plastics, our discoveries have informed public opinion and fueled legislation which impacts millions of people in Maine and interrnationally.

"The bottom line is, once toxic materials enter the ocean food web, the story is about human health."

—	Dr. David Gallo, Ocean Pioneer & Director of Special Projects at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

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About the Shaw Institute

30 Years of Environmental Impact Research

The Shaw Institute is a nonprofit scientific research organization based in Maine and New York City. Founded in 1990 by Dr. Susan Shaw (as the Marine & Environmental Research Institute), its primary mission is to discover and expose the effects of toxic chemical exposure and climate change on human and ecological health, and to engage in strategic partnerships to improve life on the planet. For three decades, the Institute’s pioneering research on ocean pollution, oil spills, flame retardants, plastics, and climate change has fueled public policy nationally and internationally.

New Name & Expanded Vision: Institute changes name to honor its founder's legacy

In April 2018, the Trustees of the Marine & Environmental Research Institute announced a name change to the Shaw Institute to acknowledge the founder Dr. Shaw and honor her legacy of 30 years of environmental impact research. The new name also accommodates Dr. Shaw’s vision and the organization’s expanded research portfolio. The Center for Environmental Studies was renamed the Blue Hill Research Center in recognition of the Maine community that has served as the organization’s home since 1990.

Reckless Endangerment: The Gulf Oil Spill Revisited - Susan Shaw at TEDxMidAtlantic

Focus Areas

Through its focused initiatives, the Institute addresses critical health and environmental issues related to toxic chemical exposure among people and wildlife. From ocean plastics to human and wildlfie exposure, we strive to bring science-based solutions to these priority concerns.

Human Exposure

Plastics and
Microplastics

Marine Wildlife Exposure

Oil Spill Response

Maine Coast Monitoring

Lecture Series

News & Events

Our 2018 Environmental Lectures focus on Climate Change, Exposure and Human Health. Lectures are free and open to the public, and begin at 6 pm following a reception at 5:30 pm.

Wednesday, August 22 The Forever Chemicals in our Water

Sharon Lerner, award-winning investigative journalist for The Intercept reports on her latest findings on the ongoing crisis in the U.S. drinking water supplies.

Wednesday, September 5 Breakpoint: Reckoning with America's Environmental Crisis

Eminent ecologist Prof Jeremy Jackson returns to talk about his travels across America to better understand our mounting environmental problems. He will also discuss emerging and achievable solutions to preserve the country’s future.

How you can help support our important work

Your contribution supports our work to protect wildlife and people from the harmful impacts of toxic chemical exposure.