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.
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.
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.
READ MORE NEWS ON PUBLIC HEALTH
PEERMail | 100,000 and Counting – A Grim Milestone
As we pass a grim mortality milestone for the COVID-19 pandemic, this immense death toll highlights the distressing extent of our national incapacity.
Orlando Chronic Sewage Breakdowns Fester
Spills Risk COVID Exposure Yet No Abatement or Enforcement
BLOG | EPA Creating A “Pandemic of Pollution” Since COVID-19 Crisis
Despite the connection between exposure to air pollution and adverse outcomes from COVID-19, EPA continues to accelerate its efforts to gut important air quality protections, unleashing what a new staff report by U.S. Senator Carper calls a “pandemic of pollution.”...
PFAS in Colorado: Fact Sheet
PFAS are a man-made chemical that are used in the manufacture of consumer goods including cookware, flame-retardants, waterproofing, furniture and take out containers.
Sewage Spills Pose COVID-19 Risks
Overflows into Drinking Water Sources May Create New Infection Vectors
EPA COVID-19 Guidance Sows Employee Confusion
Superfund Inspectors Unsure about PPE and Other Key Health Issues
PEERMail | Losing Our Voices
The Federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic is largely lead by non-scientists in the Offices of Public Affairs with public health officials used as props
PEER During the Pandemic (Updated Apr 10, 2020)
During the pandemic, PEER continues to support government whistleblowers, protect public employees, and represent epidemiologists at both the CDC and EPA.
