Congratulations to Peggy Shephard, WE ACT's Co-founder and Executive Director and, our long-term partner appointed this March to the new White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. We are thrilled knowing that leadership like hers will bring forth long awaited strides to the Environmental Health and Justice Movement. READ the Announcement.

We at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health are inspired this Earth Day by the recent NYC East River dolphin sighting. The history of the East River was one plagued by chemical dumping, fowl with raw sewage and oil pollution, but the river also has a history of its champions, like Pete Seeger and others.

This Earth Day we need you as our champions. We want to see our children frolic in cleaner air unafraid of asthmatic bouts and free of neurodevelopmental risks; we want to ensure that toxic chemicals in toys, foods, personal care products and home furnishings are banned, and we demand national and international action on the climate crisis.

We need your support to continue our important work. We thank you for standing with us in this fight, and hope you will make a tax-free gift donation to the Center this Earth Day.

Help us ensure progress as 1) our research serves as the evidence to ban flame retardants, phthalates, and other toxins in children’s products; 2) our persistence and creativity leads to the development of new methods to screen pregnant women for harmful prenatal contaminants, a potential tool to detect and prevent childhood developmental disorders; 3) our collaboration with the Transportation, Equity, Climate and Health, initiative helps assess policy scenarios to address carbon pollution, and 4) our outreach activities inform and involve the community.

As the dolphin’s heart-warming visit launches Earth Day 2021 this Spring, let us remain steadfast in our mission to protect our children’s health and our earth's future. “Si Se Puede!

Fine particle pollution from wildfires may harm kids more than other PM2.5, March 23, 2021 by Linda Carroll

An analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data on particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5) and data on children's emergency department and urgent care visits at a San Diego health network for respiratory issues reveals a 10-fold increase in visits associated with wildfires, according to the results published in Pediatrics. READ MORE

Transportation Equity Project Research Update, March 02, 2021

Dr. Perera is incorporating more children's health outcomes into the Transportation, Equity, Climate & Health (TRECH) analysis as research team updates their preliminary results. The TRECH project results now account for the full effect of changes in nitrogen dioxide emissions from on-road transportation sources and incorporate estimates of childhood asthma incidences and exacerbations. READ MORE

Experts Call for Home Battery Storage to Protect Vulnerable During Outages, February 24, 2021

Drs. Casey and Hernandez call for action to protect those relying on electricity-dependent medical equipment to mitigate consequences of extreme weather driven by climate change. “The technology to improve resiliency and energy independence exists, and it needs to be made more accessible to those who could most benefit. Battery storage units, particularly those powered by the sun, are a critical tool to help vulnerable individuals and communities survive the climate crisis.” Dr. Hernandez. Futures. READ MORE

The future of the Pandemic Experts Look Ahead, March 24, 2021

A year after the pandemic shut down the country, a growing number of infectious disease experts, epidemiologists, public health officials and others have started to entertain a notion that has long seemed out of reach: The worst of the pandemic may be over for the United States. READ MORE

Ten Lessons from Our Pandemic Year, March 15, 2021

The one-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic is a somber time of reflection on the lives lost, the illness and suffering experienced, and disruption and separation inflicted by COVID-19. It is also a time to celebrate the contributions of front-line workers and public health scholars and practitioners. READ MORE

Increasing Pollen Rates Affect COVID Infection Rates March 15, 2021

A new study found that pollen-which is also being affected by climate change---can help explain additional COVID infection rates during the Spring when tree allergies become dominant. How much of an impact?  READ MORE

Now for those 30 years & older. Starting April 6th, vaccinations open for those 16 years and older.

Girls DO Grow up to be Scientists

Cheers to you and thank you!- Your Team at the Center

We hope you will make a tax-free gift donation to the Center in order to continue this important work.