Skip to Navigation
Skip to Content

Support PSR!

Make a difference in the challenge to confront global warming and prevent nuclear war and the development and use of nuclear weapons.

Donate Now »

Take Action

Support strong nationwide action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Hazardous Chemicals In Health Care

A Snapshot of Chemicals in Doctors and Nurses

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) in partnership with American Nurses Association (ANA) and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) have released the “Hazardous Chemicals In Health Care” report, detailing the first investigation ever of chemicals found in the bodies of health care professionals. The inquiry found that all of the 20 participants had toxic chemicals associated with health care in their bodies.  Each participant had at least 24 individual chemicals present, four of which are on the recently released Environmental Protection Agency list of priority chemicals for regulation.  These chemicals are all associated with chronic illness and physical disorders.

Spanish version available here.

PDF Version

Browse Resources

Action Alerts

More action alerts»

Resources

  • Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit 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 »

  • Coal Ash: The Toxic Threat to Our Health and Environment

    Coal ash, one of the dirtiest secrets in American energy production, burst into the U.S. consciousness three days before Christmas, 2008 when an earthen wall holding back a huge coal ash disposal pond failed at the coal-fired power plant in Kingston, Tennessee. Read more »

  • Prenatal Exposures

    How is the developing fetus vulnerable to toxic chemical exposures, and how can our regulatory system more effectively protect our health in the prenatal period? From PSR's Environmental Health Policy Institute. Read more »

In the Spotlight

  • April 30, 2012
    The Toxies
    Red carpet awards for toxic chemicals, presented by PSR-Los Angeles.