PSR Monitor

New Report: Fracking with "Forever Chemicals"

PSR's new exposé reveals the use of PFAS—highly toxic "forever" chemicals that don't break down—in fracking for oil and gas.

Health Professionals Rally in DC for 100% Clean Energy

Last week, PSR participated in the '100 for 100' rally for clean energy on the National Mall. Watch video of the event here and read the speech given by PSR Environment & Health Intern Henry Lynett.

Healthy Electric Homes: PSR Colorado featured on TV

PSR/Colorado's work to replace gas furnaces and stoves with all-electric heat pumps and induction cooktops has been featured on TV! Watch these in-home demonstrations/interviews here.

New GBPSR Report: Health Impacts of Indoor Heat

Heat waves can produce dangerous indoor heat, especially for people who don't have or can't afford air conditioning. Heat pumps can help. Read the latest from Greater Boston PSR.

Victory on Methane Standards!

We won the reinstatement of methane regulations! Congress acted and President Biden signed a bipartisan resolution, putting back in place the requirements removed by the Trump administration for reducing methane and other pollution from oil and gas operations. Thank you to all our members and e-activists who raised their voices.

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6 and 9, there will be several events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the atomic bomb attacks. Intrepid PSR Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program interns Kathleen Caldwell and Racheal Khan have been compiling PSR's calendar of Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration events (in-person and virtual) here in the United States.

Be a part of #CranesForOurFuture to support a nuclear weapons free world!

The  Nuclear Threat Initiative and Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace—with support from PSR and many allied organizations—have organized a virtual #CranesForOurFuture Global Weekend of Action, August 6 to 9, concurrent with the anniversaries of the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

To donate to our Day of Peace campaign to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons, click here.

Membership Program Update

We're improving our membership program and creating more efficient ways to connect to you, our valued members. In effort to decrease our carbon footprint and remain environmentally safe, we will reduce the number of renewal mailings. Effective September 2021, members will receive renewal communications by email with only one mailing. Please take a moment to update your contact information here, or email our Direct Mail and Membership Manager, LaTisha Henderson (LHenderson@psr.org).

Upcoming Events

Johnson County Fair
Johnson County Fair Grounds, IA
Sun. Jul. 25 - Wed. July 28, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm CDT
PSR Iowa will be exhibiting, promoting clean energy, nuclear abolition, and social justice for the health of all Iowans. Contact info@psriowa.org for details.

Health and Climate Change Benefits of Building Electrification
Mon. Aug. 2, 5:00 pm CDT
Chicago PSR is pleased to announce our summer webinar on the health and climate change benefits of building electrification (BE). BE promotes use of clean energy rather than natural gas to power buildings, old and new. Register

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. Aug. 2, 7:00 pm EDT
Greater Boston PSR's monthly meeting – open to all. Please contact Anna Baker at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.

Book launch: Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice
Tue. Aug. 3, 6:00 pm PDT
Join San Francisco Bay PSR for the Inflamed book launch with authors Dr. Marya Rupa of UCSF and Raj Patel. Register

Film Screening: In the Dark of the Valley
Laemmle Town Center 5, Encino, CA
Thu. Aug. 5, 7:00 pm
In the Dark of the Valley, a feature film about the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former nuclear and rocket-engine testing site near Los Angeles, will screen at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival on August 5th. Features Dr. Bob Dodge of San Francisco PSR and Denise Dufflied of PSR-Los Angeles. Tickets

Commemorative Vigil for Victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Vance Monument Site, Downtown Asheville, NC
Fri. Aug. 6, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm EDT
Sponsored by Western North Carolina PSR. Contact Terry Clark for further information terryclarkpsych@gmail.com.

37th Annual Hiroshima Commemorations
Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, Baltimore, MD
Fri. Aug. 6, 6:30 - 7:00 pm EDT
Vigil commemorating the bombing of Hiroshima, followed by presentations. Co-sponsored by Chesapeake PSR.

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial Ceremony and Art Exhibition
Japanese American Historical Plaza, Waterfront Park, Portland, OR
Fri. Aug. 6, 6:00 pm PDT
Oregon PSR invites those fully vaccinated to join us for the annual Portland-area memorial of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which will include a brief ceremonial gathering at the Japanese American Historical Plaza featuring Rev. Eisei Ikenaga of Portland’s Nichiren Buddhist Temple followed by the We Hold Sacred exhibit at the nearby Japanese American Museum of Oregon Annex curated by Oregon PSR Advisory Board members Chisao Hata and Yukiyo Kawano. Limited space - Please RSVP here. The ceremony will also be livestreamed here for those who can't attend. The We Hold Sacred exhibit will also be open for visitors on Aug. 7th & 8th, Noon - 3:00 pm.

Moving Beyond Suffering to Hope: No More Nukes (Pt 1)
Japanese Bell (State Capitol Grounds), Des Moines, IA
Fri. Aug. 6 at 7:00 pm CDT
A remembrance and memorial service to include reflections, poetry, music, and the traditional ringing of the bell and placement of flowers. PSR Iowa will be participating.

Hiroshima Day Screening: The War Game
The Regent Theater, Arlington, MA
Fri. Aug. 6, 7:00 pm CDT
Join Greater Boston PSR for a screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary The War Game by Peter Watkins, followed by remarks and Q&A with Dr. Ira Helfand. Tickets

From Hiroshima to Hope Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony
Green Lake, Seattle, WA
Fri. Aug. 6, 6:00 - 9:00 pm PDT
Seattle's annual peace event honoring the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and all victims of war and violence. Co-sponsored by Washington PSR. More information

Moving Beyond Suffering to Hope: No More Nukes (Pt 2)
First Unitarian Church, Des Moines, IA
Sun. Aug. 8; 1:30 - 3:00 pm CDT
Presentations by Global Zero and National Iranian American Council. PSR Iowa will be participating.

37th Annual Nagasaki Commemoration
Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, Baltimore, MD
Mon. Aug. 9, 5:30 - 6:30 pm EDT
Vigil commemorating the bombing of Nagasaki, followed by presentations. Chesapeake PSR's Dr. Gwen DuBois will speak about Back from the Brink. Co-sponsored by Chesapeake PSR.

Lanterns for Peace
Tenney Park, Madison, WI
Mon. Aug. 9, 6:30 pm CDT
Join PSR Wisconsin for this family-friendly event to commemorate the lives lost in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings 76 years ago and make sure that such nuclear attacks never again take place. More information

A Century of Housing Discrimination and Its Legacy of Health Impacts Today
Tue. Aug. 17, 6:00 pm EDT
PSR Pennsylvania webinar featuring speaker Richard Tolin, MD. We will review the history of housing discrimination going back to the New Deal. Federally mandated segregation and racist lending requirements and then explain the impact of consequent housing patterns on the health of the victims and their descendants. Register

WNCPSR Monthly Meeting
First Congregational United Church of Christ, Room E 204, 20 Oak St, Asheville, NC
Fri. Aug. 20, 12:30 – 2:00 pm EDT
The Western North Carolina Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility meets on the third Friday of each month.

Film Screening: In the Dark of the Valley
Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
August 20-22
In the Dark of the Valley, a feature film about the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former nuclear and rocket-engine testing site near Los Angeles, will screen at the Phoenix Film Festival on August 20-22. Features Dr. Bob Dodge of San Francisco PSR and Denise Dufflied of PSR-Los Angeles. Tickets

Racial Equity Reading Group: Inflamed
Wed. Aug. 25, 7:00 pm PDT
Join San Francisco PSR for this special Racial Equity Reading Group discussion of Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice led by co-author Dr. Rupa Marya. To join please email tara@sfbaypsr.org. All are welcome (not just health professionals).

Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking
Sep. 14, 6:00 pm EDT
PSR Pennsylvania webinar with speaker Kristina Marusic, who will discuss her groundbreaking work on the body burden of chemicals associated with fracking Register

San Francisco Bay PSR's Annual Gala
Wed. Sep. 22, 6:00 - 8:15 pm PDT
Save the date for this virtual gala, featuring keynote speaker Daniel Ellsberg, awards for three young health activists, and a silent auction. Tickets will go on sale in August here.

GBPSR Virtual Concert
Sat. Sep. 25, 7:00 pm EDT
Livestreamed concert honoring the late Dr. Bernard Lown, featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma and musicians from the Longwood Symphony Orchestra. More information

More events

Full list of Hiroshima/Nagasaki events

PSR Actions

Nuclear weapons are a local issue. Urge your state representatives to speak out!

Fracking with "Forever Chemicals": Add your name to our letter to EPA here

In the news

Are we being kept safe from 'forever chemicals' injected into fracking sites?
The Guardian - Jul 21
Op-ed on PSR's fracking chemicals report

The Oil and Gas Industry Produces Radioactive Waste. Lots of It
Rolling Stone - Jul 21
Cites PSR's fracking compendium

Florida environmentalists seek legal rights for water and wildlife through constitutional amendments
Florida Phoenix - Jul 20
Mentions PSR Florida

EPA Allowed Toxic Chemicals for Fracking Since 2011
Treehugger - Jul 19
Quotes PSR's Barbara Gottlieb

New Report Makes Strong Case to Ban Fracking
Rising Up with Sonali - Jul 16
Podcast interview with PSR's Barbara Gottlieb

Central Iowa leaders join climate advocates in calling for 'bold, clean transportation' initiatives
Des Moines Register - Jul 16
Quotes PSR Iowa's Maureen McCue, MD

Report documents PFAS use in fracking in New Mexico
The NM Political Report - Jul 16
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Obama's Failure to Regulate PFAS
Living on Earth - Jul 16
Radio interview with PSR's Barbara Gottlieb

New data on 'forever chemicals' prompts calls for more transparency
The Hill - Jul 15
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Fracking's use of EPA-approved toxic chemicals shows again that regulators prioritize industry over health
The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jul 15
Editorial on PSR's fracking chemicals report

Campaigners including Jane Fonda and Mark Ruffalo urge Ireland to call for global ban on fracking at UN
Irish Independent - Jul 15
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Because Fracking Wasn't Already Toxic Enough, the Oil and Gas Industry Decided to Add 'Forever Chemicals' to the Mix
Rolling Stone - Jul 13
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

La EPA autorizó el uso de sustancias tóxicas en la extracción de petróleo por fracking
Cambio16 (Spanish) - Jul 13
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Exxon lobbyists paid the 6 Democrats named in sting video nearly $333,000
HuffPost - Jul 13
Mentions PSR's fracking chemicals report

Doctors Group Finds EPA Approved PFAS Fracking Chemicals During Obama Administration
Indiana Environmental Reporter - Jul 13
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

E.P.A. Approved Toxic Chemicals for Fracking a Decade Ago, New Files Show
The New York Times - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

EPA-approved fracking chemicals include substances that form 'forever chemicals'
StateImpact (NPR) - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

EPA approved toxic 'forever' chemicals for fracking in 2011: report
The Hill - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

EPA approved toxic chemicals for fracking, new report finds
Axios - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

'Forever Chemicals' From Fracking Are the Nightmare Nobody Asked For
Gizmodo - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

L'agenzia per la protezione ambientale aveva autorizzato il fracking con sostanze tossiche
La Repubblica (Italian) - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

The Obama EPA Should Be Ashamed
Esquire - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Documents show EPA staff concerns over PFAS in fracking
E&E News - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

EPA knew fracking fluid can degrade into toxic PFAS, approved it anyway
NC Policy Watch - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Report: EPA approved toxic 'forever chemicals' for fracking in 2011
Farm and Dairy - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Despite Knowing the Risks, EPA Authorized Fracking With "Forever Chemicals" 10 Years Ago
Green Matters - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

EPA Approved Exxon's 'Forever Chemicals' for Fracking in 2011
EcoWatch - Jul 12
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals report

Boulder County judge denies injunction for project in Rocky Flats
ABC 7 Denver - Jul 6
Coverage of PSR Colorado lawsuit

Beach swimming this Fourth of July? Watch out for Red Tide
Tampa Bay Times - Jul 2
Quotes PSR Florida's Lynn Ringenberg, MD

Gov. Hogan to Lift MD State of Emergency, Despite Lack of Food and Farm Worker Protections
Food & Water Watch - Jun 30
Quotes Chesapeake PSR's Gwen DuBois, MD, MPH

Marion County plans to sign new three-year contract with garbage burner
Salem Reporter - Jun 29
Quotes Oregon PSR's Damon Motz-Storey

After speech from Nobel laureate, Little Compton council takes stand against nuclear weapons
The Providence Journal - Jun 24
Quotes PSR's Ira Helfand, MD