Visitor Guide

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Environmental Sciences Division
944 East Harmon
Las Vegas, Nevada

When you first arrive at the EPA Las Vegas Facility you will need to go to the Executive Center Lobby and visit the receptionist. The receptionist will contact the EPA staff member you wish to visit.

Building Access and Parking
If it is necessary for you to acquire a visitor's pass and/or parking permit, the receptionist will provide you with the appropriate temporary passes. The EPA staff member you are visiting will issue a building access card if needed. The visitor parking areas are directly next to the Main Access of the EXC building.

Building Identifications
. Executive Center (EXC)	. Monitoring Systems Laboratory (MSL)
. Chemistry Laboratory (CHL)	. Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL)

Although every precaution is taken to maintain a safe environment at this Laboratory, visitors are reminded that many of our facilities are special use areas and that hazardous materials, compressed gasses, or potentially hazardous equipment are stored or in use throughout. You must have safety glasses as a minimum while touring or working in any laboratory areas. Other protective equipment may be required also. Please contact your host or the ESD Safety, Health, and Environmental Manager if you have special needs or any questions

For your safety, always stay with your EPA host or employee you are visiting, or work out some arrangement so that you can be located quickly in the event of an emergency. If the building emergency evacuation alarms sound, follow your host or other employees out the nearest exit and to the emergency assembly areas. Once there, account for yourself and remain with the group and follow the instructions of the Building Emergency Coordinator.

Please note that there are first aid kits mounted to a wall in every building. Please notify your host if you become injured in any way, regardless of how slight. Emergency medical services may be summoned by dialing 9-911 from any telephone.

Weather and Travel Safety Precautions
Las Vegas has an arid desert climate with mild seasonal changes and approximately 315 days of sunshine per year. Air temperatures range from 60 to 120° F during the months June through September. Early spring and late fall air temperatures range from 50 to 90° F. Temperatures during the winter months January through March range from 30 to 60° F. The air is typically dry with relative humidity ranging 15 to 50%. Rainfall averages 4 inches per year with January being the wettest month.

While the Las Vegas Valley is home to one of the most temperate climates in the United States, the desert southwest is notorious for strong winds and occasional storms, some of which may be violent. Some precautions to observe when visiting Las Vegas:

	Drink plenty of water, particularly during the hot summer months. You may not notice you are perspiring due to the dry climate but you may in fact be losing a quart of water per hour.
	Las Vegas is 2100 feet above sea level. Utilize sun protection if you are going to be outdoors: sunblock, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat.
	When planning an automobile trip or hiking into the desert, always inform someone where you are going, your route and when you expect to return. Stick to your plan.
	Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day if you plan a trip into the desert. Be sure your vehicle is in good condition with a sound battery, good hoses, spare tire and plenty of gasoline.
	Keep an eye on the sky. Flash floods may occur in a wash (ditch, depression, or other low lying area) at any time "thunderheads" are present, even though it may not rain a drop where you are. Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters if you do not know how deep it is.
	If caught in a dust storm while driving, get off the road, turn off driving lights, turn on emergency flashers.
	If your vehicle breaks down, stay near it. Raise the hood and trunk to denote "help needed." A vehicle can be seen for miles but a person on foot is very difficult to locate. Leave a disabled vehicle only if you are positive of the route of help.
	Erect sun barriers from blankets, tarps, seat cushions etc., to reduce the direct rays of the sun. You may also stay in the car as long as you keep the doors fully open, or lay under the vehicle if necessary.
	Nevada is home to numerous poisonous creatures including rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, spiders and scorpions. Never put your hands and feet anyplace you cannot see. Shake out all clothes and shoes before reaching into them. Never go barefooted in the desert.
	Dust storms may cause eye irritation especially if you are wearing contact lenses.
	If it rains, streets become very slippery when wet due to the build-up of oils on the road; increase the distance between you and the car in front.

Important Phone Numbers and Other Useful Information

Note: To get an outside line, please dial "9".
For FTS, dial" 9"; followed by "1"; the area code and phone number.

EPA Facilities - UNLV Campus
944 East Harmon Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Environmental Sciences Division - Las Vegas
Telephone Number (Director's Office): (702) 798-2525
Main Number (Recording): (702) 798-2100

R&IE Locations on UNLV Campus
Exposure Assessment Annex (EAX)
(702) 798-2348

Modular Office Complex (MOC)
(702 798-2461


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General Interest
	Clark County Government Services
	University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
	Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Environmental Sciences | Research & Development
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Send questions or comments to the Information Desk
ESD Info Desk (contractor operated)
(Library-lv@epa.gov)

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