Through our Environmental Health Program, we advocate for the proper use of science and research to help achieve environmental health and justice in California. We support the gathering, analyses, and dissemination of data and research results that address the environmental health needs of children, communities of color, and other vulnerable populations. We urge policymakers to adopt precautionary decision-making processes that place the burden of proof on polluters, err on the side of caution, and include the analysis and adoption of reasonable alternatives that prevent, minimize, or eliminate environmental harm.

Department of Health Services

From September 2002 through February 2004, California Environmental Rights Alliance Executive Director Dr. Joseph Lyou served on the California Department of Health Services (DHS) Environmental Health Tracking Expert Working Group. The Expert Working Group wrote a report to DHS and the California Legislature identifying the elements of an effective Environmental Health Tracking Program. The report includes recommendations for tracking sources of environmental contamination, exposures to pollution, and diseases outcomes.

Precautionary Principle

The California Environmental Rights Alliance supports the adoption and use of the Precautionary Principle by environmental policy-makers:

When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof.

- Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle, January 1998

Instead of asking, “What level of harm is acceptable?,” the Precautionary Principle asks:

• How much contamination can be avoided?
• What are the alternatives to this product or activity, and are they safer?
• Is this activity even necessary?
• The Precautionary Principle focuses on alternatives and solutions rather than risk.

The Science and Environmental Health Network has been a leader in advocating for the Precautionary Principle. 

Environmental Health Web Sites

     The Collaborative on Health and the Environment
     Environmental Health News
     Not Too Pretty
     Children's Environmental Health Network
     Coming Clean Campaign
     Health Care Without Harm

U.S. Food and Drug Administration:  Mercury Levels in Fish (a.k.a., the "Market Basket Survey")

In 2003, the California Environmental Rights Alliance submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Freedom of Information Act seeking data from tests of the mercury content in fish sold to consumers.  In response to our request, the FDA released two electronic data files.  Unfortunately, the information released by FDA does not include any explanation.  The data may, however, be useful to those who follow this issue.  Download the files to see the results.

    FDA File #1 (MS-Excel, 1.4 mb)

    FDA File #2 (MS-Excel, 44 kb)

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