We depend on chemicals in consumer products to perform as expected, and to be safe. But our regulatory system is not adequately protecting us from potential hazards in our food cans, diapers, shower curtains, baby bottles, and other consumer products. Listen to Washington State PSR President, Dr. Steven Gilbert, a toxicologist, together with pediatric urologist and PSR board member Dr. Rich Grady, discuss chemicals policy in an insightful and illuminating radio interview. Read more »
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Last week, PSR Maine member Jeff Peterson wrote a letter to the editor of the Portland Press Herald. As a pediatrician and a father, he wrote about the importance of strong chemical policy reform Read more »

The current manmade environmental oil disaster of the Deepwater Horizon Oil blowout on April 20, 2010 happens to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the radiation disaster at Chernobyl on April 27, 1986. This is, therefore, an ideal time to consider the nature and effect of manmade disasters, which should give us guidance as to the direction of our future energy plans. Read more »

The EPA is offering two versions of a proposed rule for regulating coal ash. One would require the states to adhere to strict new federal regulations. The other... well... Read more »
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Last month an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, killing 11 people. The destroyed oil rig is releasing more than 200,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf each day. This disaster threatens to dwarf the notorious Exxon Valdez spill, which dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into the remote Prince William Sound in 1989. By contrast, the current catastrophe has already leaked over 12 million gallons, according to one environmental group. And the gallons keep pouring out, despite automated robot repair efforts. Read more »
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At the White House yesterday for the President’s Earth Day celebration, I had the opportunity to speak with Congressman Ed Markey. He first lauded PSR and our work in preventing nuclear war, and then went on to say that our current work on climate change is very similar in the sense that for both issues, there is no cure, there is only prevention. He shared a great quote, “The planet is running a fever and there are no emergency rooms for planets. Thus we have to engage politically in preventing climate change.” Read more »

PSR goes to the White House to celebrate Earth Day -- and to call for strong climate legislation. Read more »

Today, PSR has been invited to the White House to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day. We are pleased and honored that PSR’s health message has been recognized by President Obama as an important voice in the environmental movement. PSR’s President, Jeff Patterson, is on his way to the White House as I write, carrying the message that, as doctors, healthcare professionals, and concerned citizens, we must prevent what we cannot cure. Read more »
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PSR President Dr. Jeff Patterson is off to the White House to bring PSR's message to President Barack Obama. Read more »

PSR is a proud partner in the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, which is working to pass smart federal policies to protect us from toxic chemicals. The SCHF coalition has developed a campaign platform that explains the nine components of sound and comprehensive chemicals policy. One of them addresses green chemistry. Read more »

PSR continues the close collaboration with Sierra Club on issues of coal and energy and welcomes the Club's new executive director. Read more »

Last week I led a small PSR delegation to meet with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to discuss the health hazards of coal ash. Read more »
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Last Friday I again testified before the EPA on the health impacts of air quality. This time the subject was particulate matter. Once again, I was encouraging the EPA to follow through on a positive step it has proposed. Read more »

The battle unfolds on Capitol Hill, where a phalanx of politicians is seeking to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases. Read more »

PSR testified before the EPA on ground-level ozone, or smog, supporting new rules for more stringent ozone standards -- and urging the EPA to get more stringent yet. Read more »
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The recent snowstorms that pummeled the Mid-Atlantic are, in fact, evidence of global warming. Read more »
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Coal ash, loaded with arsenic, lead, selenium, mercury, and other toxics, is one of the biggest toxics streams in the U.S. – yet is not regulated by the federal government. It is a grave threat to health. Read more »

Mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining uses high-powered explosives to blow the tops off of mountains. The debris is then bulldozered into adjacent valleys and streams. The health hazards and environmental destruction this creates is so great, scientists have called for a moratorium on MTR permits. Read more »
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The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rules to strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for two primary pollutants under the Clean Air Act: sulfur dioxide and ozone pollution (smog). Read more »

I had the pleasure recently of attending the Sierra Club’s Midwest “New Energy Future” conference, where I shared information from PSR on the health impacts of global warming. This included our new fact sheets, which I hope you have seen. Read more »
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