Climate change’s threats to human health and life are growing. Will you join our latest effort to roll back climate change?
Walk down the aisle of your local drug store, and you’ll find dozens of fragranced products – soaps, shampoos, perfumes, lipsticks, cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, even toys – all designed to make you like them. The complex, proprietary mix of chemicals that make up those fragrances can do more than just appeal to your senses, however. They can also affect your health, like other synthetic, industrial chemicals. Learn more about fragrances and your health in the latest Environmental Health Policy Institute.
A packed room at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association listened to dozens of tributes, words of gratitude and heartfelt admiration for Dr. Jack Geiger, a founding member of PSR who has dedicated his life to combating poverty and racism, protecting human rights, and preventing war. Beloved as a teacher and mentor, Dr. Geiger has inspired generations of physicians to have the courage to right the world’s wrongs. PSR thanks Dr. Geiger for his vision in helping found our organization and for his belief that we can all work for a safer, more peaceful and just world.
University of Wisconsin Student PSR hosted a screening of Downstream, a compelling account of physician Dr. John O'Connor's efforts to
sound the alarm about the health and environmental damage suffered by a small
community near the Canadian tar sands. The short film illustrates the risks and benefits of patient
advocacy as a health provider. Wisconsin medical students Joel Charles and
Jasmine Wiley organized the event.
Watch the 33-minute video here »
A new resolution passed by the California Medical Association calls on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to implement the safety recommendations of the Fukushima Task Force, and also calls for an assessment of seismic risk for new nuclear reactors before licensing. PSR Board member Dr. Robert Gould co-authored the resolution. With PSR support, the CMA also passed several resolutions calling for health protective regulation of food marketing to children, agricultural practices, nanoparticles and for the banning of triclosan from consumer and health care products.
Read the resolutions »
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is an essential treaty on our path to nuclear abolition. An international consensus against nuclear weapons testing will aid global disarmament efforts by restricting one of the most dangerous practices used for modernizing or developing a nuclear program. Our hope is that the CTBT will help build on the recent surge of international attention given to the continued risk posed by these weapons. President Obama has expressed his support for the CTBT, however, we must push him and Congress to ensure that this treaty is successfully ratified. Sign our CTBT petition today!
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Dr. Ira Helfand and Dr. Jeff Patterson, past PSR Presidents, travelled to Kansas City and Los Angeles respectively to build support for nuclear weapons abolition in the face of the upcoming budget debate in Congress. Both speakers addressed activists, concerned citizens, and students as part of speaker tours that are occurring across the country this Fall. PSR's medical voice on the case for nuclear disarmament is essential as we press for implementation of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
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PSR’s Dr. William Perkins was among the experts testifying before the San Clemente City Council earlier this month raising concerns about the public health risks associated with the San Onofre nuclear reactor. Dr. Perkins' presentation focused on the health effects of radiation exposure in the event of a nuclear accident. The City Council later voted 5-0 to call on the federal government to develop a plan for dealing with spent fuel, improved evacuation plans, and other measures to protect the public.
Join PSR as we attend a special session celebrating Jack Geiger’s lifelong work as a physician–activist combating poverty and racism, protecting human rights, and preventing war. A founding member of PSR, Dr. Geiger co-authored in 1961 the series of articles on “The Medical Consequences of Thermonuclear War” in the New England Journal of Medicine. Sun., Oct. 30, 2:30 to 4:30 PM at the Washington Convention Center, Room 101, Washington, D.C.
Read Dr. Geiger’s comments on the occasion of PSR’s 50th Anniversary.
As part of his Northern California speaking tour, Dr. Vic Sidel, Distinguished University Professor of Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, spoke to medical students and faculty at the University of California-Davis and University of California-San Francisco about the health effects of war, his work for nuclear disarmament, and the 50-year history of PSR. At the UC-Davis event, Dr. Claire Pomeroy, dean of the medical school, introduced Dr. Sidel and lauded him for inspiring generations of students to work for peace and justice.
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Dr. Ira Helfand, past PSR President, was in Kansas City to address the upcoming nuclear weapons budget debate and the opposition to the Kansas City Nuclear Weapons Plant. Dr. Helfand debated a proponent of the Kansas City Plant on Sunday, October 9th. He also addressed students and a religious congregation as part of the Nuclear Disarmament speaking tour.
Learn more »
"Imagine living surrounded by chrome plating facilities, lead smelters, and plastics- and pesticide-manufacturing facilities," writes Martha Dina Arguello, Executive Director of LA-PSR. "On some days the fetid stench from the local rendering plant is so pervasive that long-term residents no longer notice it. That is the area where my family lives." Read how she and other environmental justice leaders address socioeconomic disparities in toxic chemical exposures in the latest Environmental Health Policy Institute.
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Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) is circulating a “Dear Colleague Letter” to other Representatives asking Congress to make $200 billion in cuts to the nuclear weapons budget over 10 years. These cuts would achieve much-needed reductions in our current bloated nuclear arsenal. By taking this action, our nation would also send a positive message to the international community and thus advance future disarmament agreements. Please take a moment to contact your Representative now, asking them to sign on to Rep. Markey's letter.
Learn more »
Executive Director Peter Wilk, MD urged lawmakers to protect the health of all Americans by preserving regulations that reduce mercury and other pollutants in the air. Speaking at a September 21 press conference with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Dr. Wilk related the impacts of air pollution on the cardiovascular system, lungs and brain, and called on the Senate to reject regressive proposals such as the TRAIN Act and other legislation which would severely undermine public health protections.
Read Dr. Wilk's testimony »
Eighteen chapter leaders gathered in Chicago last September 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.
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A new bill under consideration by Congress would severely weaken the Clean Air Act. The so-called "TRAIN Act" would not only delay action on cleaning the air; it could also block permanently two vital Clean Air rules – one on mercury and air toxics, the other on airborne pollutants that cross state lines. If enacted into law, the Act is expected to result in an estimated 34,000 premature deaths every year. Those deaths would be avoided if the rules were implemented as proposed.
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Many feel that we need nuclear power to get away from fossil fuels and others think that there is a better way. September 14, 2011 Eric Epstein, Chairman of Three Mile Alert presented "Dark Side of Nuclear Power" answered questions at our Chapter meeting at the Polyclinic Cafeteria.
Coal and oil companies continue to pound us in the media stating that fossil fuels must be increasingly used and give very little support to the clean alternative sources. They ignore the true costs to our environment and health. In June, Dr. Jim Jones penned a letter to the editor discussing the hazards and expenses of their use.
Aileen Mioko Smith led a Japanese delegation to Capitol Hill on Monday, September 19 to draw attention to the devastating impact of the nuclear disaster on families, children and livelihoods in Japan. Of particular concern is the lack of radiation monitoring by the Japanese government. The representatives discussed hurdles facing families trying to evacuate from contaminated areas and the impact on farmers. PSR and Beyond Nuclear sponsored a briefing for Senators and their staff.
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Six months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster started in Japan, there are reports of another nuclear accident, this one in southern France. An explosion in the furnace of the Marcoule nuclear site has killed one worker, and injured at least four others. PSR raised concerns in a recent news conference about the inadequacy of the U.S. response to Fukushima. This latest accident shows once again the need for the U.S. to closely examine such accidents and to use these findings to inform policy decisions.
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At a news conference today, three leading U.S. experts voiced concerns regarding the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan. PSR’s President-Elect Dr. Andrew Kanter warned that the dangers associated with radiation exposure to the people in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture are being minimized and that “exposing non-consenting people, especially children, to these increased health risks is medically unacceptable.” These experts also cautioned that the U.S. response, thus far, has been inadequate to prevent a similar nuclear catastrophe from happening in the U.S. and urged faster action to address the danger.
Read more »
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