In Harm's Way Report Released Nationally in May 2000

This is the Fall 2000 Newsletter Featured Article.

Report Becomes Key Tool for Scientists, Public

The Washington, DC release of GBPSR's scientific report In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development (IHW) was a huge success. It reached over 30 million households through coverage by media that included the Today Show, ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, CNN Headline News, over 100 television and radio stations including National Public Radio, and numerous print publications including an Associated Press story.

(L-R) Co-authors of In Harm's Way Drs. Jill Stein, David Wallinga, and Ted Schettler answer press questions at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

PSR National co-hosted the DC event at the National Press Club, which featured three of the co-authors, Drs. Ted Schettler and Jill Stein of GBPSR, and Dr. David Wallinga of NRDC. Project partner Clean Water Fund, the Learning Disabilities Association of America, and Health Track participated in this and some state events.

With Clean Water Fund, IHW Also Released in 25 States

IHW was also released in press conferences in 25 states. These were organized in collaborations among PSR and Clean Water Fund state chapters, and Health Track, a project of the Pew Charitable Trusts.

GBPSR Board co-chair Dr. Dick Clapp addresses the press at the Massachusetts State House release of In Harm's Way.

The Boston press event was held at the State House and received extensive television and radio coverage as well as print articles in newspapers including the Boston Herald and the Lowell Sun. The event featured co-author Maria Valenti of GBPSR, GBPSR Board members Dr. Dick Clapp and Bill Ravanesi, Lee Ketelsen from Clean Water Action and Suzanne Payton, Executive Director of Massachusetts Special Education Parent Advisory Councils.

Media consultants and strategists Goodman Media International, Inc. of New York City and M&R Strategic Services of New York and Washington, DC played key roles in maximizing the national coverage that extended months beyond the release date. The national release was possible due to funding received from the John Merck Fund, the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, the W. Alton Jones Foundation, the Alida R. Messinger Charitable Lead Trust, and the Mitchell Kapor Foundation.

Report used as Resource for U.S. News & World Report, 20/20, Newsweek

IHW co-authors have been interviewed for related stories in publications such as Newsweek, Sesame Street Magazine, and Health Magazine, as well as television shows including 20/20 and ABC News Tonight. U.S. News and World Report used IHW as a core resource for its June 2000 cover story "Kids at Risk." In June the Washington Post ran an article on IHW.

Quoted and Used by Scientists

The report has been well-received by the scientific community. The June issue of Environmental Health Perspectives cited IHW numerous times in a piece entitled "Disturbing Behavior: Neurotoxic Effects in Children." Other scientific "sightings" of IHW:

• Former Senator Tim Wirth (now head of the U.N. Fund) quoted extensively from IHW in his keynote address to the Institute of Medicine Roundtable at the National Academy of Sciences
• The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada used slides from IHW at the Child Health 2000 Conference
• The new Center for Neuroscience at University of California/Davis Medical School distributed copies of IHW at a recent board retreat
• PSR's Dr. Howie Frumkin is using IHW in medical outreach in the South via Emory School of Public Health's Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit

Activists Using It to Stop Pollution

Activists around the nation have also been using IHW in their work:

• A health advocate in Missouri has used the report to help stop the spraying of pesticides on Little League ball fields
• An activist in Olympia, WA has distributed over 20 copies to community leaders and activists working on pollution prevention
• The Minnesota Children's Environmental Health Coalition is using IHW to reduce pesticide use in schools in Minnesota

New Tool for Those Working in Learning, Behavioral Disabilities

IHW has received support and praise from numerous organizations, professionals, and parents working or dealing with learning and behavioral disabilities. The information about preventing exposures to toxic chemicals has been of particular interest. IHW has been sent to all the Learning Disabilities of America chapters as well as Developmental Disability Councils in each state. An example of a response from a speech therapist:

New Web Site Launched

Project partner the Clean Water Fund launched a new web site www.preventingharm.org dedicated to citizen activism on pollution prevention. It has received 750,000 hits and includes links to numerous web sites on environment and health issues. The report can be downloaded via this site or GBPSR's web site.

Phase II: Collaboration with JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies

In response to a flood of requests from around the country from medical professionals and educators interested in presentation and collateral materials, Phase II of In Harm's Way has been launched with a new partnership between GBPSR and the JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies.

It includes the creation of a presentation package for health professionals, and the development of a training program that we plan to implement in collaboration with Children's Health Centers around the country. The goal is to educate and activate health professionals about the linkages between environment and health, specifically toxic chemicals that threaten brain development. Phase II has received initial funding from the John Merck Fund and the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust.

About 2500 copies of IHW have been distributed.