When several members of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility visited this fall, they delivered needed medicine, medical care and equipment to the community of Gaza. “Gaza is largely a human made situation. Our goal is to be part of a human-made solution,” says Rich Grady. “Through our efforts to help, treat and inspire health care providers and families there.” Limited jobs, movement that is prohibited in and out of Gaza and steadily increasing environmental pollution places the community in a critical medical situation.
WPSR partnered with other groups to schedule a shut down date for the Trans Alta coal plant. The Canadian owned plant is Washington’s last coal-fired power plant. While providing only 20% of the state's power, it is the state's largest point source of mercury, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxide pollution. The Trans Alta coal plant releases 2.3 million tons of coal ash each year, which is comprised of several toxic chemicals including arsenic, lead, barium and chromium.
Read the Bill
The rule implements the Children’s Safe Product Act, passed previously by the Washington legislature. “Nurses across the state are thrilled to see our government step up to the plate to protect children’s health”, said Karen Bowman, RN, Member, WPSR Board of Directors and Environmental Health Specialist, Washington State Nurses Association.
This is the first-of its-kind rule in the U.S.
Eighteen chapter leaders gathered recently for a dynamic two days of networking, strategizing and learning. Joined by national staff and meeting under the banner “Collaborating for a Stronger PSR,” the leaders focused on improving their recruitment of health professionals, building membership and tapping the talents of others in the network. The group welcomed several new faces, including two executive directors. The meeting took place in downtown Chicago.
Click HereDisarmament. A decade after the end of the Cold War, the world carried the burden of over 30,000 nuclear weapons into the new millennium.
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Hanford Nuclear Reservation
Founded in 1980, WPSR alerted the public that no meaningful medical response exists to nuclear war, and that "prevention is the only cure."
More on Hanford Nuclear Reservation »"According to “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” a report by Physicians for Social Responsibility, coal pollutants have been linked to four of the five leading causes of death in our nation, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and chronic lower respiratory diseases. As leaders in our state debate the future of TransAlta, they must take the health impacts of coal seriously and insist that the plant transition off coal as soon as possible."
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"Particles on the Wall" Opening Reception Thursday January 26th, Odegaard Library
WPSR’s traveling exhibit to be on display at the University of Washington from January 9th to March 29th.
Toxics Poster Now Available in Arabic!
History of toxics poster now available in Arabic.
FoodMed 2011 offers presentations on compelling and cutting edge topics linking food to human health.
Join us in building a healthy environment and promoting sensible security policies. Make a donation to PSR Washington today
As you read this the chemical and toy industries are fighting tooth and nail to block legislation that would help prevent diseases like childhood cancer. Our only chance of moving forward this year is to rally around the Senate bill. We can still win protections for Washington’s children, but, not if we stay silent.
The Children's Safe Product Act of 2008 set the stage for making Washington State one of the toughest concerning toxic chemicals. Now, in 2011, it's time to take the next step. Sign on in support of more stringent regulation of toxic chemicals!
Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit
The Toolkit is a combination of easy-to-use reference guides for health providers and user-friendly health education materials on preventing exposures to toxic chemicals and other substances that affect infant and child health. Read more »