Center for Environmental Health

“After internal review, 990 is sent to the finance committee and followed by a meeting. If all is ok, then the Treasurer forwards the 990 to the board for review.”

“All staff and board sign our conflict of interest policy annually and disclose potential conflicts.”

“Board conducted a thorough review and consulted with a local compensation expert.”

“Executive director conducts annual reviews of officers and key employees and bases salaries on local wage survey.”

“Audit provided on website and governing documents provided by request.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Promoted Healthier Products in the Built Environment:Educated and assisted more than 200 institutional purchasers on how to identify and procure furniture free of five toxic chemicals (flame retardants, fluorinated stain/water resistant treatments, antimicrobials, polyvinyl chloride-PVC, and formaldehyde).Drafted a criterion that identifies products free of the five toxic chemicals of concern. The criterion was adopted by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) certification program, creating (1) a simple and effective mechanism for institutional purchasers to express a clear preference for avoiding these toxic chemicals and (2) an incentive for manufacturers to make healthier products.Provided more than 100 institutional purchasers with tools to equip them to purchase safer furniture, including furniture technical specifications, fact sheets about toxic chemicals, and a database of products that are free from harmful chemicals.Educated three State Prison Industry organizations (which manufacture furniture) about the chemicals of concern and how to avoid them in the components they use. Began surveys of component suppliers to ascertain the presence of the chemicals of concern in the components of furniture made and used by the State of Minnesota. Develop and Advocate for Sound Public Policy to Protect People from Toxic Chemicals:Educated legislators on the importance of state and federal benefit and warning labels that inform consumers about toxic chemicals in consumer products. Advocated for US EPA to focus on specific, otherwise-unregulated chemicals (including four EDCs) that evidence strongly suggests are health hazards. This increases the chances the government will take action to protect people from these chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act.Co-led the Policy and Legal Hub of the Cancer-Free Economy Network. Convened a diverse group of advocates (1) to provide legal and policy guidance to the network and (2) to develop and implement strategies to protect people from toxic chemicals. The network is now positioned to lead collaborative, movement-wide efforts to take on some of the biggest chemical threats to people's health.Partnered with public, state-level agencies in New York to update their environmentally-preferable procurement policies and definitions, which are now being considered by the State of New York and have served as a model for other states and localities. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6:”