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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/2020 |
Healthy Babies Bright FuturesTo solve the solvable part of the silent epidemic of learning and developmental deficits that impacts as many as one in six children in the US. |
Health and Environment |
$215,000 | |
| 09/2020 |
West Harlem Environmental ActionTo highlight the potential benefits of the Transportation Climate Initiative to children and adults specific to New York City, as part of a larger study of its benefits region-wide. |
Health and Environment |
$20,000 | |
| 09/2020 |
Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental HealthTo model the health benefits of the Transportation Climate Initiative for children and adults living in New York City, as part of a larger study of its benefits region-wide. |
Health and Environment |
$35,000 | |
| 09/2020 |
Healthy Building NetworkTo reduce exposure to known harmful chemicals by decreasing or eliminating them from building materials and other products, and to accelerate the adoption of healthy building protocols. |
Health and Environment |
$115,000 | |
| 09/2020 |
Clean Production ActionTo raise market demand for, and availability of, safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals; cultivate corporate and NGO capacities to transform chemicals management; and diversify revenue through business development. |
Health and Environment |
$100,000 | |
| 09/2020 |
Health and Environmental Funders NetworkTo reinvigorate the environmental health field by identifying and engaging new funding for toxics work and recruiting more members to the Health and Environmental Funders Network. |
Health and Environment |
$50,000 | |
| 09/2020 |
Coming CleanTo ensure Environmental Justice Health Alliance affiliate organizations have the the technology, training, and access they need to be fully engaged in crucial policy work during the pandemic. |
Health and Environment |
$100,000 | |
| 07/2020 |
International Chemical SecretariatTo push the global market towards safer products and materials by increasing the visibility of safer alternatives on ChemSec’s online platform Marketplace, and by getting brands to demand clean material streams when it comes to recycled materials as a prerequisite for a functional circular economy. |
Health and Environment |
$60,000 | |
| 06/2020 |
West Harlem Environmental ActionTo reduce exposure from toxic cosmetics and personal care products among women and girls of color, and to address long-standing environmental health disparities during COVID-19 by drawing national attention to them and shaping health care and financial responses. |
Health and Environment |
$75,000 | |
| 06/2020 |
The ArcTo enable Project TENDR to join scientific evidence with advocacy to inform and empower policymakers to create policies ensuring no child is exposed to chemicals contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders. |
Health and Environment |
$100,000 |