NRDC Document Bank: Health
The working materials in the NRDC Document Bank are listed in reverse chronological order. For additional policy materials including reports and issue papers, see the Issues section of the main NRDC site.
Dosed Without Prescription: Preventing Pharmaceutical Contamination of Our Nation’s Drinking Water
The presence of pharmaceuticals in our waterways and drinking water has gained national attention among lawmakers, regulators, and the public. Prescription drugs can enter water through manufacturing waste, human or animal excretion, runoff from animal feeding operations, leaching from municipal landfills, or improper disposal. With many questions still unanswered regarding the scope of the problem and its consequences for human health and the environment, NRDC conducted an extensive survey of the scientific data, legal analyses, and existing advocacy campaigns around this issue. In this January 2010 white paper we offer our findings and several recommendations related to drug design, approval, production, use, and disposal to curb the flow of pharmaceuticals entering our water systems and lessen the impacts of the pollution they cause.
New Orleans Clean-Up Letter to Administrator Jackson from National and Community Groups, November 17, 2009
Letter submitted to the EPA Administrator during her November 17, 2009 Brownfields Conference in New Orleans, informing her of the results of NRDC’s new research on arsenic in soil in New Orleans pre- and post-Katrina, and asking for her help to clean-up New Orleans and help prevent future environmental disasters in New Orleans and elsewhere.
NRDC Comments for Nanosilver SAP November 2009
Comments from the Natural Resources Defense Council for the November 3-6, 2009, FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) session entitled “Assessment of Hazard and Exposure Associated with Nanosilver and other Nanometal Pesticide Products”
NRDC Comments for Atrazine SAP November 2009
Comments from the Natural Resources Defense Council to the EPA meeting of the FIFRA SAP to present the approach to re-evaluate atrazine
Climate Change and Health Letter in Support For Public Health Adaptation Provisions of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S.1733)
This letter, signed October 14 2009 by a coalition of 24 environmental, science & public health groups including NRDC, was sent to Senators Boxer, Kerry, Baucus and Bingaman in support of legislative action to address the critical climate challenge, and specifically the public health adaptation language and new funding provisions in the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S.1733).
Comments in Response to the Presidential Memorandum on Scientific Integrity
NRDC makes recommendations for the enforcement of strong and effective policies to identify and disclose and prevent financial conflicts and competing interests among government scientific and technical experts.
Complaint for Citizen Lawsuit Against PPG Industries Urging Swift Clean-Up of Urban Toxic Waste Site
This document is a copy of the legal complaint issued by NRDC on behalf of the Interfaith Community Organization against PPG Industries regarding PPG’s failure to clean up a Jersey City, NJ site contaminated with the carcinogenic toxic hexavalent chromium.
Complaint filed against Consumer Product Safety Commission for unlawful interpretation of phthalates ban.
Complaint filed by NRDC and Public Citizen to challenge the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s unlawful determination that a ban on phthalates in children’s toys does not apply to items manufactured before the effective date of the ban. The lawsuit is intended to protect children from harmful exposure to phthalates in toys and prevent consumer confusion about whether toys on store shelves contain phthalates or not.
Preliminary Assessment of Trade in Bigleaf Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
This June 2006 assessment finds that Swietenia macrophylla King (Meliaceae) is gravely threatened because of over-exploitation, illegal logging and and a failure to adhere to the requirements of CITES Appendix II.
IRIS Political Interference Letter from Health and Environment Groups
Over fifty environmental and public health groups join together to ask EPA to withdraw recent White House imposed changes to the EPA chemical assessment program, the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
Testimony from Jennifer Sass on EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program
Jennifer Sass, NRDC Public Health Program, testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee about EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, September 18, 2008.
NRDC Comments on the Draft FDA Assessment Bisphenol A
Sarah Janssen, an NRDC scientist and physician, testified before an FDA panel that NRDC strongly disagrees with the draft FDA conclusion that current levels of exposure to BPA are safe for human consumption.
Potential Exposure-Related Human Health Effects of Oil and Gas Development
In September, 2008, experts at the University of Colorado School of Public Health completed a review of data and scientific articles about the health effects of oil and gas drilling and production on neighboring communities. They found that the chemicals being used and produced pose a potential health risk to local residents, and recommended a thorough health impact assessment before expansion of oil and gas activities. Their findings are detailed in these two papers.
- hea_08091702a.pdf White Paper
- hea_08091702b.pdf Literature Review
- hea_08091702c.pdf Literature Review Appendices
Letter To EPA Opposing White House Interference In Iris Chemical Assessment Program
Over fifty environmental and public health groups join together to ask EPA to withdraw recent White House imposed changes to the EPA chemical assessment program, the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
NRDC Comments on the Draft FDA Assessment Bisphenol A
Sarah Janssen, an NRDC scientist and physician, testified before an FDA panel that NRDC strongly disagrees with the draft FDA conclusion that current levels of exposure to BPA are safe for human consumption.
Cost of Excess Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits for the 2006 California Heat Wave
NRDC conducted an economic analysis of the costs to society of the additional hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits associated with the summer 2006 California heat wave, and found an estimated $133 million in costs, including direct medical charges and the indirect costs of lost productivity and leisure time.
Nanomaterials in Waste Water: for the Region VI Pretreatment Association, U.S. EPA, and State EPA Region VI. Oklahoma City, August, 2008
Jennifer Sass, NRDC presentation of Nanomaterials in Waste Water: for the Region VI Pretreatment Association, U.S. EPA, and State EPA Region VI. Oklahoma City, August, 2008.
Phthalates FOIA Complaint Against CPSC
NRDC filed this lawsuit against the Consumer Product Safety Commission on July 30, 2008, for failure to produce records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. NRDC seeks a court order compelling the CPSC to release the requested records at no cost.
Complaint Against EPA About Dangerous Chemicals and Toxins in Air Fresheners
Complaint filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division on June 13 2008.
Toxic Communities: How EPA's IRIS Program Fails The Public
Testimony of Linda Greer, PH.D Director, Health Program Natural Resources Defense Council before the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight at hearing entitled: Toxic Communities: How EPA's IRIS Program Fails the Public
NGO Sign On Letter for NASS Database
A coalition letter signed by many public interest groups opposing funding cuts to the NASS database that collects and publicly reports on pesticide use data across the country.
Prominent Scientists Call on EPA to Ban Endosulfan
A long list of prominent scientists support the NRDC petition to ban endosulfan, a persistent, bioaccumulative and highly toxic insecticide.
Testimony from Linda Greer on Mercury Legislation
Testimony from Linda Greer, senior scientist and director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's public health program, on mercury legislation before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, May 13, 2008.
NRDC comments on SAP nominees
NRDC comments on the nominees for the Scientific Advisory Panel charged with reviewing the science underpinning the regulation of pesticides, and providing advice to the EPA Office of Pesticides.
NRDC and EDF letter to EPA on new IRIS process
The NRDC has joined with EDF to send a letter blasting the new procedures to review chemical hazards for the EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, used to set exposure limits for toxic chemicals. The letter charges that the new procedures allow increased interference by the White House and federal polluting agencies such as the Department of Defense.
NRDC and Coalition Protest EPA Actions to Remove Scientist from PBDE Panel
Scientists from public interest groups and federal agencies sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator today, protesting the removal of a well respected toxicologist from the scientific panel that was providing expert peer review of the EPA health assessment of toxic brominated flame retardants.
NRDC Petition to Ban Endosulfan
About 1.4 million pounds of endosulfan, a persistent, bioaccumulative and highly toxic insecticide, are used in the United States each year. Endosulfan, an endocrine disruptor and a neurotoxicant, is harmful to human health and the environment.
NRDC Comments on Nanoparticles in Sunscreens, Cosmetics, and Personal Care Products
An explosion of nanotechnology research has lead to a variety of promising new discoveries ranging from potential cancer treatments and energy production methods to the prevention of coffee stains, skin wrinkles, and bad hair days. While little is understood about the potential health and environmental implications of the widespread use of nano-sized chemicals, preliminary research indicates that there is cause for concern.
Atrazine Contamination in Six U.S. States
Elevated levels of Atrazine, a cancer-causing pesticide commonly used in corn farming, continues to be found in drinking water sources across the Midwest. The six fact sheets below present NRDC's findings regarding atrazine contamination in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Ohio.
- hea_07091201a.pdf General Fact Sheet
- hea_07091201b.pdf Indiana
- hea_07091201c.pdf Iowa
- hea_07091201d.pdf Kentucky
- hea_07091201e.pdf Minnesota
- hea_07091201f.pdf Nebraska
- hea_07091201g.pdf Ohio
Health Risks to Children and Communities From Recent EPA Proposals and Decisions on Air and Water Quality
Testimony submitted to hearings before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senate on February 6, 2007.
Nanotechnologies and the Precautionary Principle
Every commercial sector, including food and agriculture, electronics, cosmetics, energy production, and medical devices is taking advantage of the properties of nanomaterials. These new properties, however, also confer new hazards. This presentation outlines precautionary recommendations for the nanotechnology industry that NRDC has developed to protect the public's health.
Tests Find High Mercury Levels Near Wisconsin Chlorine Plant
Air monitoring performed by NRDC and Oceana around the ERCO Worldwide chlor-alkali plant in Port Edwards, Wisconsin in June 2006 revealed concentrations up to 600 times the natural level.
Find Your Favorite NRDC website
- Global Warming & Energy:
- Beat the Heat
- Activism:
- Save BioGems
- NRDC Action Fund
- Ocean Protection:
- Your Oceans
- International:
- China's Green Future
- Green, Healthy Living:
- Simple Steps
- Smarter Cities
- This Green Life
- Green Paws
- NRDC Cool Sites:
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- GreenDay+NRDC
- For Kids:
- Green Squad