Blog

The scarcity of solid information on COVID highlights the Trump Admin’s refusal to do what we clearly know how to do to solve a problem that, like COVID, impacts billions of people: the problem of lead contamination in drinking water. We don’t just want a government that protects us - we need a government that protects us.

Minneapolis’s Health Department donated baby food with lower levels of arsenic to families in neighborhoods that traditionally suffer from health and economic disparities.

The 100 ppb limit suggested, released today, did not consider IQ loss or other forms of neurological impact, allowed cancer risks far outside of protective limits, and failed to account for children who have unusually high exposures to arsenic in rice.

The Oregon Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) became the first WIC Program in the US to remove arsenic-containing infant rice cereal from its list of approved products to purchase with the WIC food benefit.

Last week, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a systemic review of recent studies on the link between the environmental problems of air pollution and extreme heat and the health problems of babies. The risk of harm is worst for black pregnant women, as well as for pregnant women with asthma.

Bright Cities and the Mayors Innovation Project launched a RFP for city leaders in May. From a pool of cities of 7,000 to 1.7 million people, 10 winners were selected.

Bright Cities is thrilled to partner with the Mayors Innovation Project on a small grant program ($5,000 -$10,000) open to US city leaders. Applications go to knspear@mayorsinnovation.org.

Child care providers provide critical connective tissue for families and communities. While supporting immediate needs to address COVID-19, let's also embrace longer-term thinking to create a less toxic future with practical tips from the Children's Environmental Health Network.

What do we do in a pandemic? How do we keep our families safe and sane? Find more ideas to add to the important advice from WHO, CDC and other health professionals.

"Dearborn applauds Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision’s work to help residents learn about and reduce exposure to toxic chemicals that harm babies’ brains,” said David Norwood, Director of Sustainability in Dearborn, Michigan.