Home 9 Areas of Work 9 Public Health ( Page 14 )

PEER Protects Public Health

Reducing Toxic Risks for a Healthier Future

Environmental and public health specialists work hard to protect the health of children, workers, and the public at large.

PEER works with these specialists to correct the problems when public agencies fall short in their public health mandates. We have a large network of federal, state and local government employees that work with us to expose information about the effects of toxic chemicals and environmental pollution on public health and challenge industry’s influence over regulators.

Together, we fight for stronger laws and regulations, vigorous enforcement of existing laws, and greater transparency in government actions. And we partner with affected communities to elevate their concerns.

Our future depends on our ability to protect and promote public health by addressing environmental policies and practices.

Chemical Regulation

PEER has emerged as a national leader in exposing the hidden dangers of toxic chemicals in products and in pushing for government reforms to protect us from the potential risks of toxic chemicals.

PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

PEER works to protect public health and wildlife from toxic exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fights for comprehensive solutions to the PFAS crisis.

Pollinators & Pesticides

PEER highlights key new science and exposes coverups of the dangers of pervasive pesticide use. Learn what actions are needed and how you can help.

Artificial Turf

PEER works to expose the dangers of toxic, plastic grass proliferating on playing fields, playgrounds, parks, and backyards and support communities fighting for natural grass playing fields. Learn and share the facts.

Photo of smokestacks against a brown sky

Air Pollution

PEER has worked with whistleblowers throughout the country to improve air quality. Here is an example of PEER‘s work with whistleblowers to halt illegal permitting practices in Colorado.

Photo of a person in personal protective equipment handling a blue barrel

Superfund Accountability

PEER is working to expose efforts to scale back the Superfund program that gives EPA authority to identify responsible parties and make them help pay to clean up their pollution.

A SNAPSHOT OF PEER’S PAST EFFORTS

Here are some examples of how PEER has made a difference:

Organized more than 300 groups to join our drive to reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals from 400 incinerators burning industrial, medical, municipal solid waste, and sewage sludge.
Defended a long-tenured professor, one of the nation’s most respected experts on health effects of chemical exposure, from an industry scheme to stop his research.
Successfully fighting to close major human and environmental exposure pathways from toxic forever chemicals called PFAS.
Shut the pathway for lead poisoning for 1.4 million children under age 7 living in 5 million older residential units with lead paint. A PEER lawsuit forced long-overdue rules requiring that all repairs and renovations on these older units be conducted in a lead-safe manner.
Forced adoption of safeguards for human exposure testing of pesticides and other toxins.
Worked with concerned public school teachers, staff and agency professionals to identify and remedy toxic schools plagued by PCBs and other contaminants.
Outlined policy steps that can help prevent future pandemics.