Environmental Working Group and children's environmental health

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protecting the fetus and the child
from environmental hazards

a healthy environment
for all children

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Environmental Working Group
Richard Wiles Vice President for Research Environmental Working Group (EWG) 1436 U Street NW, Suite 100 Washington, DC 20009 California Office: 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 703 Oakland, CA 94612	Phone: (202) 667-6982 Fax: (202) 232-2592 URL: http://www.ewg.org California Office Phone:(510) 444-0973

Mission Statement
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a small, computer-powered research organization dedicated to improving environmental protection through the analysis of federal and state regulatory policies and performance and through technical assistance and education. Geographic focus: congressional districts, county, state and national levels No membership Other organizational activities (not directed specifically toward children): advocacy, education, research
Children's Environmental Health Activities
The Environmental Working Group has produced research reports on the amount of pesticide residues present in foods that children typically eat (Pesticides in Children's Food, 1994) and in commercially available baby food (Pesticides in Baby Food, 1995). Another report, A Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce (1995) gives families the information they need to avoid foods commonly contaminated with multiple pesticides and to substitute fruits and vegetables with equal nutritional value and lower pesticide residues. Using a unique computer capability, EWG analyzed applications of the fungicide methyl bromide across the state of California in terms of the proximity of these applications to elementary schools and day care centers. This unprecedented analysis transformed the methyl bromide issue from an abstract environmental concern to one that mattered to people in communities across California. Beginning with the 1994 report, Tap Water Blues, the Environmental Working Group has become identified with the issue of drinking-water safety. All of EWG's reports on contamination of drinking water (from pesticides, nitrates, lead, arsenic, radiation and microbial contaminants) focus on the particular risk posed to pregnant women, infants and small children. EWG's May 1996 report, Pouring It On, found that each year, tens of thousands of newborn babies are fed infant formula reconstituted with drinking water that is contaminated with potentially deadly levels of nitrate. The contamination, primarily the result of excessive use of farm fertilizer, pollutes drinking water supplies in 40 states.

Please note: the information presented above was provided and reviewed for accuracy by Environmental Working Group and was not verified independently by the Children's Environmental Health Network.
Publication date: 5/5/99