PSR Monitor

PSR announces Brian Campbell, PhD, as next Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that Brian Campbell, PhD, has accepted the offer to serve as PSR’s next Executive Director, effective November 1, 2023.

"I am excited to lead Physicians for Social Responsibility in addressing the existential challenges of climate change and nuclear weapons abolition, and I am especially impressed with PSR's deep commitment to health, equity, and justice," says Campbell. "After a summer of deadly wildfires and extreme heat, and escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, PSR's mission is more urgent now than ever. I am humbled and honored to join you in this important work."

Gaza: PSR demands humanitarian intervention

PSR calls for immediate international attention and humanitarian intervention to ensure the swift delivery of essential supplies, including fuel and medicines, to Gaza. The humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region demands a collective effort to safeguard the health and lives of the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

"Staggering" use of undisclosed chemicals used in PA fracking

PSR's latest report on the use of toxic "forever" PFAS chemicals in oil and gas wells revealed that between 2012 and 2022, oil and gas companies in Pennsylvania disclosed only a minimal amount of PFAS use – but they injected thousands of wells with a staggering 160 million pounds of undisclosed trade secret chemicals Should even a fraction of them be PFAS, they could pose a severe threat to health. Several Pennsylvania-based organizations, including PSR Pennsylvania, used the report as the basis for asking Gov. Josh Shapiro and other state officials to adopt policies requiring full disclosure of chemicals used in oil and gas extraction and a ban on PFAS use in those operations.

We demand safety from pipelines

Five years ago, in the Merrimack Valley of eastern Massachusetts, residents were forced to evacuate as over-pressurized gas pipelines exploded and simultaneous fires ignited in as many as 40 homes. The result: at least 25 injuries, the death of one teenager, and over $1 billion in damage. The community is still recovering and healing from this preventable disaster. We are finally seeing action from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to avoid another tragedy like this. PHMSA has proposed a suite of initiatives aimed at improving pipeline safety. Now is our opportunity to comment in favor of these safety protections. Submit a comment to PHMSA today!

PSR partners with allies to produce two new reports

PSR joined forces with other nonprofit organizations to co-write and co-release two new reports.

Air Pollution from Indoors Pollutes the Outdoors
We partnered with Sierra Club and WeAct for Environmental Justice on the "National Building Pollution Report." Its subtitle, "The Outdoor Pollution is Coming From Inside the House," actually tells its story more precisely: that fossil fuel combustion in our homes and buildings contributes to outdoor pollution significantly — and to harm to health and the climate. Read our coauthored report here.

More "Damning" Evidence of Fracking's Harms
We also sustained our partnership with Concerned Health Professionals of New York to help produce the ninth edition of the fracking Compendium, which summarizes and links to almost 2,500 papers, reports and articles documenting the health effects of oil and gas extraction. New articles are added each year, and as lead author Sandra Steingraber noted, "The fact that there is lots of new data that support the older data means that the case against fracking is ever more damning." Read "Compendium-9" here.

Climate Ambassador exclusive: Environmental Justice roundtable

The Environment & Health team organized a roundtable discussion on environmental justice for our Climate Ambassadors earlier this month. We had an incredible lineup of speakers: Tonyhen Verkitus, Executive Director of PSR-PA; Annie Carforo, Climate Justice Campaigns Manager at WE ACT; and Ans Irfan, Associate Professor at University of California. We discussed the intersections of health, environment, and justice as well as how we can all be better advocates for equity in these spaces. If you’d like to take part in upcoming discussions and trainings, sign up to be a Climate Ambassador! Additional advocacy opportunities for ambassadors include writing letters to the editor, testifying at an agency hearing, and communicating directly with members of Congress.

Crystal Mateo joins PSR National as Climate & Health Fellow

PSR National welcomes our newest addition to the Environment & Health team, Crystal Mateo. Crystal is our new Climate & Health Fellow who will lead the 2023-2024 Next Generation Climate Ambassador program. She is a Zapotec environmentalist, educator, community builder, and a veterinarian-in-progress currently enrolled in a dual degree program at Colorado State University working towards a Master's in Toxicology and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her indigenous community has taught her the importance of approaching current social injustices using a holistic lens as animal, human, and environmental health are strongly interconnected. She is passionate about being of service to her community and advocating for communities that are experiencing environmental injustices. Please join us in welcoming Crystal to the PSR family!

New PSR resource on historic first nuclear weapons ban treaty conference ahead of second conference next month

From November 27 to December 1 of this year, the nations that have signed and/or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) will gather at the UN in New York City for the Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) to the TPNW to chart a path towards full and effective implementation of the Treaty. The first MSP took place back in June, 2022 in Vienna. A Declaration re-committing States Parties to “a world free of nuclear weapons” and an Action Plan to map out 50 specific next steps for States Parties to pursue ahead of 2MSP were the adopted outcomes of 1MSP.  In preparation for "Nuclear Ban Week," PSR has assembled a fact sheet summarizing the adopted outcomes from 1MSP. Take a look and share this resource to learn about or refresh your knowledge on what States Parties have been up to the past year.

Back from the Brink to Biden: Get moving to prevent nuclear war

PSR is a National Partner Organization in Back from the Brink: Bringing Communities Together to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. In the run-up to the 2nd Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), Back from the Brink is lining up local elected officials behind a letter to President Biden encouraging him to send official "Observers" to the meeting. You can help!

Join PSR for our inaugural Health Heroes Awards!

Join PSR in Washington, DC on Friday, November 3 as we gather in-person to celebrate our successes in advocating for Nuclear Weapons Abolition and promoting Environment and Health.

We will be honoring three individuals who have dedicated their work to PREVENTING WHAT WE CANNOT CURE and have worked tirelessly to protect people from the gravest threats to us and our planet.

Health Hero Award for Nuclear Weapons Abolition
Tina Cordova, Co-Founder
Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium

Health Hero Award for Lifetime Contribution
Alan H. Lockwood, MD

Health Hero Award for Environment and Health
Barbara Gottlieb, Director, Environment & Health Program

Upcoming Events

PSR Health Heroes Awards Reception
Fri. Nov. 3, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT
1615 Dupont, 1615 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC
Join PSR as we gather in-person to celebrate our successes in advocating for Nuclear Weapons Abolition and promoting Environment and Health. Learn More & Register

Advocacy 101
Fri. Nov. 3, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT
WSU SAC 241, 600 N Riverpoint Blvd, Spokane, WA (Virtual Option Available)
Featuring Speaker Twa-le Abrahamson, Spokane Tribal Advocate & Organizer of River Warrior Society. Attendees will develop and practice advocacy skills. Co-sponsored by Washington PSR. RSVP

Examining Xcel’s Clean Heat Plan & Why it Matters to You
Wed. Nov. 8, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm MST
Join PSR Colorado and the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) for an expert critique of Xcel's Clean Heat Plan proposal, which will affect Coloradans' health, safety, energy bills and climate policy for years to come. Come learn how to push for a better plan — together. Register

Housing Is Health
Thu. Nov. 9, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PST
El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA, (Virtual Option Available)
Join Washington PSR for a free hybrid event to learn how healthcare professionals and advocates can address homelessness and promote equitable housing policy. Register

Making the Connection Conference
Fri. Nov. 10, 11:00 am - 5:30 pm CST
UW Health Sciences Learning Center, 750 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI (Virtual Option Available)
PSR Wisconsin's annual series and conference on health and environment. Register

American Public Health Association Convention
Sun. Nov 12 - Tue. Nov. 14
World Congress Center, Exhibit Hall, Peace Caucus Booth #527
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA
PSR will be represented at this year’s American Public Health Association Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit the Peace Caucus Booth #527 in the Exhibition Hall where two PSR initiatives will be featured: Back from the Brink and the Editorial in 153 medical journals worldwide. Convention registration is required. Questions? Send an email to David Spence, MD at ds0268@gmail.com.

Climate & Nuclear Webinar Series: Part 3 | Local Voices, Local Solutions: How Frontline Communities Are Addressing the Overlapping Health Impacts of Climate Crises, Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power
Tue. Nov. 14, 12:00 - 1:00 pm EST
Part three of this Greater Boston PSR webinar series provides a forum for voices representing impacted communities. Discount available with a free GBPSR membership. Register

How Climate Change Affects Cancer
Mon. Nov. 27, 7:00 pm CST
Texas PSR webinar featuring speaker Lakshmi Balasubramanian, MD, oncologist and Texas PSR board member. CME/CEU available. Register

Virtual Town Hall
Wed. Nov. 29, 12:00 pm EST
PSR Pennsylvania is hosting a Virtual Town Hall to discuss radioactive emissions study results, FLIR OGI (optical gas imaging), air quality monitors and test kits. There will also be a listening session. Register

PSR Actions

Tell PHMSA to protect us from pipelines

Tell the Biden Administration: It is time for the U.S. to engage with the Ban Treaty

In the news

Pennsylvania Frackers Used 80,000 Tons of Secret Chemicals Over Past Decade
Mother Jones - Oct 26
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Pennsylvania report

"Forever chemicals" in Pennsylvania fracking wells could impact health of surrounding communities: Report
Environmental Health News - Oct 25
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Pennsylvania report

End the insanity: For nuclear disarmament and global demilitarization
Eileen Crist; Judith Lipton, MD; David Barash, PhD; The Ecological Citizen - Oct 24

Pennsylvania's Gas Industry Used 160 Million Pounds of Secret Chemicals From 2012 to 2022, a New Report Says
Inside Climate News - Oct 24
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in Pennsylvania report

Major health survey links fracking in Pa., US to cancers, birth defects, other health harms
Spotlight PA - Oct 23
Coverage of the ninth edition of PSR's fracking Compendium

New report ties childhood asthma to gas stoves, fuels support for NY HEAT Act
WHAM ABC News - Oct 21
Coverage of the ninth edition of PSR's fracking Compendium

OK of disputed NW gas pipeline expansion brings dismay from activists and senators, cheers from Chavez-DeRemer
KTVZ News Channel 21 - Oct 19
Quotes Max Savishinsky, Executive Director of Washington PSR

WE ACT calls attention to building pollution in new report, proposes policy solutions
Columbia Spectator - Oct 15
Coverage of the National Building Pollution Report co-authored by PSR

Are our chrysanthemums killing the bees?
Addison Independent - Oct 12
Letter to the editor citing webinar featuring PSR New York's Kathleen Nolan, MD

Grupo medioambiental insta a prohibir sustancias per- y polifluoroalquilos en la industria petrolera y del gas en Nuevo México
Zelosos por Buenas Renovables (Spanish) - Oct 11
Coverage of PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

New Mexico lawmakers grapple with PFAS from the oil and gas industry
KRQE News - Oct 10
Cites PSR's fracking chemicals in New Mexico report

Greener natural gas? A hydrogen maker unveiled in Delta could make it so
The Times-Independent - Oct 10
Mentions PSR

The Madison Common Council voted unanimously in favor of "Back from the Brink" nuclear disarmament-divestment resolution
Wisconsin Politics - Oct 6
Press Release from PSR Wisconsin

Environmental groups ask Avista, Puget Sound Energy utilities to leave powerful gas lobby
Idaho Capital Sun - Oct 6
Mentions Oregon PSR

Report: Building emissions contribute to dangerous outdoor air pollution
Public News Service - Oct 5
Coverage of the National Building Pollution Report co-authored by PSR

As Sugar Cane Fields Catch Fire, Business as Usual Must Go Up in Smoke
West Orlando News - Oct 1
Mentions PSR Florida

Madison for a World BEYOND War holds Speak Out at farmer's market
WKOW ABC News - Sep 30
Quotes Paula Rogge, MD of PSR Wisconsin

Why is the US locking down for climate change?
Brita Lundberg, MD, Greater Boston PSR Board Chair, CommonWealth Magazine - Sep 27

Climate activists bike hundreds of miles through Pennsylvania to demand change
WHYY - Sep 27
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

Madison can lead in averting nuclear Armageddon
The Cap Times - Sep 27
Quotes PSR Wisconsin

Activists, Washington Co. residents concerned after study explores link between natural gas, cancer
WPXI News - Sep 27
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

‘The World Is at Stake’: Defuse Nuclear War Kicks Off Nationwide Week of Action
AntiWar.com - Sep 24
Quotes Sean Arent of Washington PSR