PSR Monitor

More Revelations on Use of Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Fracking

Did you catch our recent report on the oil and gas industry’s use of toxic PFAS chemicals in Ohio? PFAS are a class of manufactured chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they break down so slowly in the atmosphere. Exposure is linked to cancer, pre-eclampsia and other serious health outcomes. You can read the report here. Or watch our lively webinar featuring the report’s lead author, Dusty Horwitt, plus a hydrogeologist discussing the threats to water supplies and an NAACP representative discussing PFAS as an Environmental Justice issue. 

Call for Public Comment on IRA Tax Incentives

The Internal Revenue Service is inviting public comments on the home and building tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This opportunity can help emphasize environmental justice and prioritize electric over efficient fossil fuel appliances during IRA implementation. Join PSR and submit a public comment telling the IRS that electrification and environmental justice are crucial to creating a safe and healthy climate future.

PSR PA Examines Inflation Reduction Act’s Impacts in Pennsylvania

Congress’s Inflation Reduction Act has made the largest investment in our nation's history to address the climate crisis. How will this legislation impact Pennsylvania's public health? And how can residents ensure that Pennsylvania benefits from its implementation? Join PSR PA for an insightful webinar addressing these questions, featuring Chris Chyung, Senior Campaign Manager for the State House to White House Initiative at the Center for American Progress, and Julie Becker, MA, PhD, MPH, Board Member, Senior Public Health Scholar, and Climate Change Advisor at PSR PA. Thu. Nov. 3 at 4 pm ET.

Next Gen Ambassadors' advocacy work featured on website

This month, we added a section on our website to highlight the wonderful advocacy work of our Next Gen Climate and Health Ambassadors. We feature their letters to the editor and op-ed articles on climate and health topics, written through our Advocacy Through Writing Campaign with Medical Students for a Sustainable Future. We also showcase some of the local advocacy work Ambassadors are conducting in their communities. Visit Next Gen Ambassador on our website, and stay tuned for more showcase projects next month!

Collaboration with Medical Students for a Sustainable Future

PSR is collaborating with Medical Students for a Sustainable Future (MS4SF), a network of medical students who recognize climate change as an urgent threat to health and social justice. Supporting emerging health professionals is critically important to ensure that the next generation of providers is set up for activism early in their careers. Tonight, October 25th @ 7pm ET, PSR National will provide our webinar Cooking With Gas: Health Harms from Gas Stoves to MS4SF’s membership. This is an open training session — if you are interested you can register here.

This is no time for NATO or Russia to conduct nuclear drills

While President Putin is issuing nuclear threats, NATO opted to commence “Steadfast Noon” military drills in Europe to practice nuclear attacks. PSR implores all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict to recognize the gravity of the situation, consider the ramifications of their decisions, and keep their hands off the nuclear triggers. Please read PSR’s new Statement on the Escalating Nuclear Threat in Ukraine and use our War in UkraineToolkit to take action.

Upcoming Events

Cooking with Gas: Health Harms from Gas Stoves
Tue. Oct. 25, 7:00 - 8:00 pm ET
Join PSR’s Health Educator, Zach Williams, MPH, for this CME- and CEU-accredited webinar on the dangers to health from gas stoves, sponsored by Medical Students for a Sustainable Future and open to all. Join here

Salem Peace Lecture: Dr. Ira Helfand
Wed. Oct. 26, 6:30 pm PDT
Willamette University, Smith Auditorium, Salem, OR
PSR Board Member Dr. Ira Helfand will be the speaker at this year's Salem Peace Lecture at Willamette University. More information

Racial Equity Reading Group
October 26 @ 7:30 pm PDT
Hosted by SF Bay PSR. To join please email info@sfbaypsr.org with subject line RERG. Readings will be emailed to group members.

Webinar: Public Health Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on Pennsylvania
November 3 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Please join PSR PA Thursday, November 3rd from 4 PM to 5 PM ET for a conversation and Q&A on the Public Health Impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on Pennsylvania. Register

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
November 7 @ 7:00 pm EST
Greater Boston PSR’s monthly meeting – open to all. Online meeting via Zoom. Please contact Anna Baker at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.

PSR Virtual Gala 2022
Tue. Nov. 15, 6:00 - 7:30 pm EST
Join us for an evening of celebration and inspiration, as we look back on our collective accomplishments over the past year, and hear from PSR chapter leaders, staff, board, members, and expert speakers on the work ahead. Tickets

More events

PSR Actions

Submit a Public Comment Supporting Environmental Justice and Electrification

Tell Biden: No More Playing Games With Our Lives

In the news

Controversy over EBCE proposal to use surplus funds
The Daily Californian - Oct 20
Quotes Robert Gould, MD, San Francisco Bay PSR President

Groups oppose NW Natural plan to blend hydrogen with Eugene natural gas
The Register-Guard - Oct 19
Mentions Oregon PSR

Alleging continual pollution, advocates ask U.S. EPA to take over Ohio injection well permitting
Ohio Capital Journal - Oct 19
Cites PSR's fracking chemicals report

COGCC seeks comments on cumulative-impacts proposal
The Daily Sentinel - Oct 19
Mentions PSR Colorado

Colorado Coalition Urges Phase-out of New Fracking Oil and Gas Permits
Pagosa Daily Post - Oct 18
Quotes Barbara Donachy, MPH, PSR Colorado Board Member

Fifty Environmental & Public Interest Groups Back Newsom's Special Session Bid To Cap Oil Refiner Windfall Profits In Letter To Leadership
Yahoo! Finance - Oct 18
Mentions PSR-Sacramento and San Francisco Bay PSR

Now Is Not the Time to Playact Nuclear War
Matt Bivens, MD, PSR Board Member, The Nation - Oct 18

60 Years After the Cuban Missile Crisis—Nuclear War Risk Remains
Robert Dodge, MD, Common Dreams - Oct 17

Electrify Equitably: Philanthropic Partnership Centers Frontline Communities in Decarbonization
Inside Philanthropy - Oct 17
Quotes Martha Arguello, PSR Los-Angeles Executive Director

The wisdom of a Totem Pole journey to Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette - Oct 16
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

Over 100 Peace Organizations in USA Call Upon their Government to De-escalate Tensions with Russia
Counter Currents - Oct 15
Mentions PSR

See where toxic PFAS have been used in Pennsylvania fracking wells
Environmental Health News - Oct 14
Cites PSR's fracking chemicals report

Health organisations welcome US climate crisis law
The Lancet - Oct 13
Quotes Jake Assael, Policy Coordinator, PSR Environment & Health Program

Resolution decrying nuclear brinkmanship gains support from Holyoke mayor, city council
The Republican - Oct 13
Quotes PSR Member Henry Rosenberg, MD

Advocates push for strong climate action plan
News 10 ABC - Oct 13
Quotes Kathleen Nolan, MD, MSL, PSR New York President

State sued over deal allegedly weakening Boeing's cleanup at toxic site near Simi
Ventura County Star - Oct 11
Coverage of lawsuit filed by PSR-Los Angeles and other groups

How to Create a Nuclear Weapons Policy for the People
David Combs and Jasmine Owens, PSR Associate Director of Nuclear Weapons Abolition, The Nation - Oct 10

Looking for answers: Residents await results of health studies
Observer-Reporter - Oct 7
Quotes Ned Ketyer, MD, PSR Pennsylvania President

Groups sue to force a more aggressive cleanup of old Rocketdyne site
Courthouse News Service - Oct 6
Coverage of lawsuit filed by PSR-Los Angeles and other groups

Debate flares up over proposed Washington heat pump mandate
The Center Square - Oct 6
Quotes Gordon Wheat, MD of Washington PSR

Boeing’s Weak Santa Susana Cleanup Triggers Lawsuit
PEER - Oct 6
Press release on lawsuit filed by PSR-Los Angeles and other groups

A welcome alternative to the risks of natural gas
Boston Globe - Oct 5
Letter to the editor mentioning PSR Board Member Michael Martin, MD

Should Oregon regulate dairy air pollution? DEQ is seeking public input
Salem Statesman Journal - Oct 5
Mentions Oregon PSR

Climate Change and the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in the United States
Regina LaRocque, MD, MPH, Greater Boston PSR, et. al., Clinical Infectious Diseases - Sep 30

Group finds PFAS ‘forever’ chemicals used in Ohio oil and gas wells
The Allegheny Front - Sep 30
Coverage of PSR's fracking with "forever" chemicals in Ohio report

Climate Change and the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in the United States
Regina LaRocque, MD, MPH, et. al., Clinical Infectious Diseases - Sep 30

Proposal Would Lower WA Residential Buildings' Carbon Footprint
Quotes Washington PSR's Claire Richards, PhD, RN, Public News Service - Sep 29

Shutting off the gas would cool down health risks
Sep 24 - Yakima Herald
Cites Washington PSR's climate report

Black and Hispanic children suffer disproportionately from asthma. Climate change is making it worse
Medical Xpress - Sep 23
Quotes Paula Torrado Plazas, air quality and toxics policy analyst, PSR-Los Angeles

400+ Scientists, Health Professionals Oppose Manchin’s Fossil Fuel Permitting Bill
Food and Water Watch - Sep 22
Letter signed by PSR and several chapters