The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences will celebrate Earth Day with an Open House and tour of its laboratories and other facilities in Research Triangle Park on Thursday, April 20, at 1 p.m.

A NIEHS scientist will lead a thirty-minute program that will include a brief video presentation and walking tour. Under the NIEHS theme, "Your Environment Is Your Health," the scientist will explain the connection between Earth Day, the environment, public health - and your health.

Light refreshments will be served, and Institute employees will distribute dogwood seedlings to participants. Trees help make the air cleaner to breath and provide shade to reduce the risk of skin cancer - especially for children.

Directions: Take Interstate 40 to Route 147-South (Durham Freeway). From 147-South, turn left onto T. W. Alexander drive and then turn left onto the NIEHS campus at 111 Alexander drive. (NIEHS is the southern-most campus on Alexander.) Follow signs to parking.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is one of the National Institutes of Health and is the Nation's premier research facility dedicated to uncovering ways to prevent disease by identifying, understanding and minimizing health-damaging environmental factors.

Groups of more than 10 or who need special accommodations are encouraged to call the Office of Communications, 919/541-3345. Information on the Open House is also on the NIEHS web site, http://www.niehs.nih.gov.