Thank you, Senators Reed, Whitehouse and Markey!

PSR thanks Senators Jack Reed (RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Edward Markey (MA) for bringing our new nuclear famine report, Two Billion at Risk?, to the attention of administration officials and Committee chairs. After the Dec. 10 report release, the three Senators sent the report with a signed cover letter to President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Hagel, General Martin Dempsey, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US Ambassadors to India and Pakistan, as well as Senators Levin, Inhofe, Menendez, and Corker.

PSR Mourns an Exceptional Leader

PSR mourns the death of former PSR President Dr. Jeff Patterson. His powerful spirit to call for protection of human health and to alleviate suffering was matched with gentle compassion and a desire to breach conflict. He served his patients and the international peace community well and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him. We will miss but always remember his deep, reasonable voice and wise counsel.

Feinstein blasts sanctions legislation

On Jan. 14, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) urged her fellow senators to oppose new Iran sanctions legislation.
"The fact is we have reached agreement and that action is just about to take place, and we are going to jaundice it, we are going to hurt it, and we are likely to collapse it by passing additional sanctions now...It defies logic, it threatens instant reverse, and it ends what has been unprecedented diplomacy. Do we want to take that on our shoulders? Candidly, in my view, it is a march toward war." Tell your senators to oppose new sanctions »

Chemical Spill Reveals How Little We Know

On January 9, an industrial chemical used in coal processing contaminated the source of drinking water for Charleston, WV.  Some 300,000 residents were issued a "do not use" water advisory, while local officials struggled to determine the threat to health posed by the little-known chemical.  This accident highlights how little we know about the safety of chemicals that surround us -- and how our regulatory system fails to provide us with vital health and safety information.

Learn Advocacy Skills in PSR's Webinar Series

It takes many skills to be an effective advocate. Student PSR is launching a 5-part skills building series of webinars and presentations to teach tools for activism! Please join us for the next webinar on fundraising on February 11th. View the presentations and support materials that were used in the AMSA leadership training and attend the webinars to be able to present this material to your own group!

Record-breaking cold may be linked to climate change

That record-setting cold that brutalized two-thirds of the United States recently? It could actually be linked to climate change. Scientists are examining the theory that the increase in summer melting of Arctic sea ice exposes greater areas of sea water. That dark water absorbs the sun's heat, then releases it back to the air in winter, destabilizing the polar vortex, a wind pattern that circles the Arctic. Weakening of the polar vortex allows masses of frigid air to stream south, even reaching the Gulf of Mexico.

New Bill Threatens Crucial Iran Nuclear Deal

In November, negotiators for the "P5+1" nations and Iran reached a historic agreement that temporarily halted Iran's nuclear program and put into motion negotiations for a permanent accord within six months. But now a bipartisan group of Senators threaten to derail diplomacy with legislation calling for new sanctions on Iran. PSR opposes the Menendez/Kirk bill (S 1881) and urges Congress to give diplomacy a chance to work.

PSR Thanks You

Please enjoy our “THANK YOU” video for all our members and activists who make us who we are! PSR is able to do so much because our members take action, whether calling on the President to cut nuclear weapons or doing legislative work to protect the unborn from flame retardants.

Victory! Furniture made safer by California’s new standard

Exposure to hazardous flame retardants, found in upholstered furniture, should now be reduced as a result of California’s new flammability standard, which multiple states are expected to follow. Flame retardants have been linked to health concerns such as reproductive and developmental toxicity, hormonal disruption, lowered IQ and cancer. Our latest Environmental Health Policy Institute looks at this victory and how flame retardants -- ubiquitous in our home, work and school environments -- affect our health and the health our children.

Steps to remove hazardous chemical from soap

PSR applauds the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to require companies to prove antibacterial chemicals are more effective than soap and water.  In January, 2010, PSR joined with over 80 citizens, health, and environmental groups in submitting a petition to the EPA on the potential human health effects of widespread use of triclosan, and the failure of the EPA to adequately take into consideration such health concerns. 

Columbia Nuclear Generating Station Unsafe and Uneconomical

Oregon and WA PSR commissioned two studies of the nuclear power plant at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which has the same design as the reactors at Fukushima, showing that the earthquake standards set for the Northwest's only commercial nuclear power plant are at least 300% lower than it should be. The PSR chapters call for the NRC to shut it down until it can meet adequate earthquake standards. Closing the plant would also save ratepayers $1.7 billion over seventeen years. Isn't it time to drop nuclear power?

Any use of nuclear weapons would be catastrophic

On December 10, PSR and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) released a new "Nuclear Famine" report. The climatic effects of a “limited, regional” nuclear war between Pakistan and India would cut crop production across the northern hemisphere, putting up to 2 billion people at risk of starvation. It is time for a global treaty banning all nuclear weapons!

Save the Production Tax Credit for Wind Energy

Wind power, like solar and water-based energy generation, provides renewable energy that liberates us from the heavy costs imposed by fossil fuels and nuclear energy: diseases like cancer, COPD, heart attack and stroke; climate change impacts; environmental destruction, and off-shored jobs. Unfortunately, the production tax credit for the wind energy is about to expire. It's short-sighted to provide short-term, off-and-on incentives to such a valuable industry.

1 Click. 1 Share. $5 for PSR

1 Click. 1 Share. Every time you share more about our organization on Facebook or Twitter we get $5 to continue our work on the issues you care about!

Let others know about PSR!

Using Science to Protect our Communities from Toxic Chemicals

Children, workers and communities surrounded by pollution are more susceptible to damage from toxic chemicals. Children’s bodies, for example, are uniquely vulnerable due to their small body mass, rapid respiration, hand-to-mouth behaviors, and still-developing organs.  Heavily contaminated communities and workers exposed to chemicals on the job are also at higher risk. In our latest Environmental Health Policy Institute, learn how utilizing the best available science can protect vulnerable populations’ health.

Progress on Chemical Weapons in Syria

PSR advocated for diplomacy in Syria to manage the issue of chemical weapons. We’re pleased to report great progress in destroying chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria utilizing mechanisms outlined by the Chemical Weapons Convention and avoiding threatened US military strikes. Read more about the conflict and review a new PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Bob Gould of San Francisco PSR.

Protect Children's Health by Protecting States' Authority

As most parents know, kids put everything in their mouths -- including toxic toys. Read about how states are protecting children from harmful toys, and the need to preserve their authority to do so, in our latest Environmental Health Policy Institute.

Free Online Course on War and Health

PSR is proud to have contributed to a new NextGenU course on War and Health! It teaches about the consequences of war and violence on human health. The course, intended for medical and public health trainees and practitioners, provides students the opportunity to learn about and practice techniques that may reduce those tragic consequences, with the collaboration of globally-available peers and local mentors. All components of this training (like all NextGenU.org trainings) are free.

PSR Chapters Release Report on Earthquake Risks

A new report jointly produced by the Oregon and Washington chapters of PSR looks at the dangers posed by earthquakes near the Columbia Generating Station in Richland, Washington. The chapters also sent a letter to the NRC asking for the plant to be shut down until it meets adequate earthquake standards.

Health Professionals Rally for Safer Chemicals

PSR gathered at the U.S. Capitol on October 29th, along with hundreds of other parents, environmentalists and health professionals, for a “stroller brigade” rally for safer chemicals.  The Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition organized the event to heighten awareness of the need for real reform of the laws that govern hazardous chemicals in the U.S. PSR is actively advocating for legislation that incorporates stronger health-protective measures.