While there has been limited research in Australia on the health effects of coal mining, extensive studies in the US by the Physicians for Social Responsibility found people living in high coal-producing counties had higher rates of cardiopulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension and kidney disease compared with people in non-coal-producing counties.

PSR, acting with environmental organizations, filed a Notice of Intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require the Agency to release rules for safe disposal of coal ash, the toxic waste left when electrical utilities burn coal.

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) joined environmental groups in announcing their intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in federal court to force the release of long-awaited federal safeguards for toxic coal ash.

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) has worked for twenty-two years to protect the public from the severe toxic effects of mercury. Mercury, a neurotoxin, damages the developing brain; fetuses, infants and children exposed to mercury can suffer lifelong developmental delays, loss of IQ and mental retardation. In adults, mercury can damage the heart and kidneys.

"The information being presented to students misleads them on very basic questions of health and safety. Fossil fuels like coal have very damaging effects on health, and schools should warn students about them, not ignore them," noted Barbara Gottlieb, Director of Environment and Health at Physicians for Social Responsibility.

PSR chapters across the country celebrated the EPA’s recent finalization of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule. This rule is a huge victory for human health, particularly for children, who can face developmental delays and mental retardation due to mercury exposure.

PSR-Los Angeles, along with NRDC and Communities for a Better Environment, are asking a federal appeals court to review an action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that lets a local air quality agency avoid monitoring pollutants from area freeways.

A letter to the editor from PSR board member Dr. Alan Lockwood.

An op-ed from PSR Maine Board member Dr. James H. Maier on the effects of mercury.

The short film "Southend," which was financed by Iowa PSR, features interviews with Muscatine, Iowa residents on the health effects of local air pollution.

Dr. Lani Graham, PSR Maine board member, discusses the toxics found in children's toys.

PSR chapters continue to make powerful strides to get the U.S. off of coal and onto clean, healthy, renewable energy sources. Just in the past week, PSR activists in Oregon, Iowa and Michigan conducted an impressive series of public events, media visits and Grand Rounds presentations.

Amid pressure from activists, Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that it is continuing efforts to remove traces of two harmful chemicals from its baby products around the world. PSR is among the groups that have urged the company to remove the cancer-causing chemicals.

“We can’t afford to ignore the costs of coal,” Maureen McCue, director of Iowa PSR and an adjunct clinical professor in the UI College of Public Health, told advocates Wednesday.

PSR Board President Dr. John Rachow, a native Nebraskan and physician in Iowa, is featured talking about the impact of the pipeline on Nebraska.

View the video presentation delivered by Victor W. Sidel, M.D., a founder and former president of Physicians for Social Responsibility. The event took place on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, at UC Davis MIND Institute.

"Worst of all about the pipeline is it will deepen our dependency on oil, contributing to ever-worsening climate chaos," said Peter Wilk, executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

The global output of heat-trapping carbon dioxide jumped by the biggest amount on record, the U.S. Department of Energy calculated, a sign of how feeble the world's efforts are at slowing man-made global warming.

The coal ash spill in southeastern Wisconsin that poured heavy metals and toxicants into Lake Michigan poses potentially serious health risks to the communities in the area.

PSR has joined with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to urge consumers to boycott Johnson & Johnson baby products until the company agrees to remove the chemicals from its baby products sold around the world.