Health and Environment
Ongoing scientific research shows that harmful chemicals present in agriculture, manufacturing and consumer goods are causing a wide range of reproductive, neurological, developmental and immunological health impacts.
The use of these chemicals – known as Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) because they are retained in the human body or linger in the environment long after exposure – must be curtailed to improve human health.
The program’s goal is to promote state and federal policies and align market incentives to reduce the use of petroleum-based chemicals that are linked to preventable disease. We are accomplishing this goal by:
- Supporting state and national campaigns that tie PBTs to human health;
- Expanding outreach to the people most often impacted by PBTs, including women, minorities and children;
- Raising consumer awareness and changing government policies to increase market pressures on companies that use PBTs and market rewards for those that seek safer alternatives;
- Helping translate cutting-edge scientific research on these toxic chemicals to ensure vulnerable communities understand their risks;
- Focusing on institutions such as hospitals, universities and governments in New England to ensure they are purchasing safer products; and
- Aligning with the Clean Energy Program, because ongoing reliance on fossil fuels is at the root of both issues.
Grantee Profile
Environmental Health Strategy Center
For the past fifteen years, the Environmental Health Strategy Center has inspired groundbreaking state policy and innovative market-based campaigns to phase out some of the most toxic chemicals from household goods and baby products.
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Special Initiative
Healthy Babies Bright Futures
The John Merck Fund has helped launch Healthy Babies Bright Futures to measurably limit exposure to toxic chemicals in a baby’s everyday environment and reduce the prevalence of these disorders.
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Special Initiative
Chemical Footprint Project
The Chemical Footprint Project is a comprehensive tool for measuring corporate progress towards using safer chemicals in all phases of manufacturing and retail.
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Recent Environmental Health Grant Awards
| Date | Description | Program Area | Focus | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/2018 |
Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental HealthTo undertake new research to more holistically quantify the full health and economic benefits of policies that reduce fossil fuel pollution and encourage a switch to a sustainable, low-carbon economy, particularly highlighting the positive impact on human health, including neurodevelopment in babies and children. |
Health and Environment |
$75,000 | |
| 03/2018 |
Clean Production ActionTo enable the Chemical Footprint Project to transform how corporations set management policies, manage supply chains, select and use chemicals and materials, and publicly report on their progress in moving away from toxic chemicals. |
Health and Environment |
$200,000 | |
| 03/2018 |
Center for Environmental HealthTo reduce exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals by leveraging the buying power of large purchasers and protecting environmental health policies and programs. |
Health and Environment |
$70,000 | |
| 03/2018 |
Safer StatesTo support core state policy reform and market-based activities and provide additional resources to state coalitions working on chemicals policy reforms. |
Health and Environment |
$275,000 | |
| 03/2018 |
Kitchen Table CampaignsTo enable Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to educate the public about federal chemicals policy and to significantly improve chemicals management of the largest retailers in the United States. |
Health and Environment |
$400,000 | |
| 12/2017 |
Learning Disabilities Association of AmericaTo use scientific consensus on environmental contributors to neurodevelopmental disorders to generate recommendations for policymakers and health professionals for significantly reducing harm from chemicals exposure, particularly during gestation and the early years of a child’s life. |
Health and Environment |
$75,000 | |
| 12/2017 |
Oregon Environmental CouncilTo secure strong implementation of the Toxic Free Kids Act, and launch a campaign for the nation’s most forward-looking state healthy purchasing program. |
Health and Environment |
$50,000 | |
| 12/2017 |
Toxic-Free FutureTo protect human health and the environment from the impacts of perfluoroalkyl substances, toxic flame retardants, phthalates, and lead via market and policy change. |
Health and Environment |
$225,000 | |
| 09/2017 |
Healthy Babies Bright FuturesTo design and implement projects that reduce babies’ exposure to neurotoxic chemicals during the most critical and vulnerable first 1,000 days of development. |
Health and Environment |
Healthy Babies Bright Futures |
$500,000 |
| 09/2017 |
University of Massachusetts Lowell Center for Sustainable ProductionTo build collaborations and strategies that leverage the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council’s market strength, and position the council for policy impact. |
Health and Environment |
$75,000 |