Mary O. Amdur of Westwood, toxicology professor and researcher, died of a heart attack Feb. 16 at age 76. She first came to the School of Public Health in 1949, and held various positions over the years, including associate professor of physiology, and adjunct associate professor of toxicology, which was her position when she left in 1991. Amdur was also a researcher at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Biological Sciences and senior research scientist in the Energy Laboratory at M.I.T. She concluded her career as a research professor at the Center for Environmental Medicine at New York University.

She earned a chemistry degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943 and a doctorate in biochemistry from Cornell University in 1946. She published dozens of articles and edited for scientific journals. Her work on air pollution, industrial health, lead exposure, and pulmonary effects of airway irritants won her several awards and had a major role in the development of air pollution standards.

Awards include the 1974 Donald E. Cummings Memorial Award from the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the 1984 Henry F. Smyth Jr. Award from the American Academy of Industrial Hygiene, the 1986 Career Achievement Award from the Inhalation Section of the Society of Toxicology, the 1988 Ambassador Award from the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Society of Toxicology, the 1989 Herbert E. Stockinger Award from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, and the 1997 Merit Award from the Society of Toxicology. She also served on several committees for the National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, the Environmental Protection Agency, National Academy of Sciences -- National Research Council, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Amdur was the widow of Dr. Benjamin H. Amdur. She leaves a son, David H. of Westwood. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, Oxfam America, and the Arnold Arboretum.