Every once in a while we like to draw attention to an organization that we feel is doing something in line with our mission – to keep families safe. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 with the intent to raise awareness about the threat of toxic chemicals to public health while simultaneously promoting business practices and products that are safe for the environment. Through education, community outreach and public policy, CEH is working to bring awareness to environmentally irresponsible business practices.
Recently, Chris and I had the opportunity to attend an event in Chicago, where their executive director, Michael Green, spoke passionately about the work his organization does. Focusing on getting lead out of products intended for children, cleaning up air pollution, toxic chemicals found in skin care products and the dangers of chemical flame retardants.
Here are their four primary areas of focus:
- Eliminating Toxics: CEH believes that we all have a right to know which chemicals we are exposed to in our daily lives. This runs the gamut from consumer products to our air quality, food and water supply. With only a small fraction of over 80,000 registered synthetic chemicals tested for safety, this is an especially pressing concern. CEH believes that public health should not be compromised for the bottom line. Through outreach, education and litigation, CEH holds businesses accountable and challenges them to reduce or eliminate the amount of toxic chemicals in their products and environmental waste.
- Supporting Communities: It is widely recognized that communities of predominately minority or low-income families suffer a disproportionate level of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals. Through the use of the Principles of Environmental Justice, CEH works to ensure environmental justice and advocate for public policy that is free of bias or discrimination.
- Strengthening Laws: As a California based organization, CEH coordinates the program CHANGE (Californians for a Healthy and Green Economy). CHANGE works to prevent companies from concealing data related to the impact of chemicals on public health.
- Greening Industries: CEH works to support environmentally sustainable health care as well as the purchasing of greener electronics by hospitals, universities and government institutions. In addition, through a Sustainable Food Program, CEH is hoping to broaden the market for organic and sustainable food.
To find out how you can get involved with CEH, read more here.
