From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Jackie’s Story of Radon Awareness

Every January, we spotlight the critical importance of radon awareness and action. This year, we are privileged to share Jackie’s powerful story—a journey from an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis to becoming a leading voice in radon safety advocacy. Jackie, a lifelong non-smoker and active member of her community, was shocked to learn she had lung […]

A Year in Review – 2024

As 2024 ends, I’m proud of the work Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) has accomplished. The numbers reflect the dedication of our staff, but the true impact lies in the stories shared by those we’ve helped as noted further below: Renovated 15 homes, addressing health hazards Held 90 community workshops, educating over 1,300 people […]

Warren County, NC and the Earliest Protests of the Environmental Justice Movement

The year was 1982. To remind you of that time, here is a list of several global and national events that were happening, to jog your memory: And in that year, in the deep south, in predominantly rural communities in Warren County, NC the birthplace of the environmental justice movement in the United States emerged. […]

Press release: Radon in Schools Working Group Announces New Radon Testing in Schools Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 412-440-7722 Radon in Schools Working Group Hosts Educational Program and Announces New Radon Testing in Schools Legislation Pittsburgh, PA – October 2, 2024 – Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) is pleased toannounce an educational event on the dangers of radon exposure in schools, hosted by WHE’sRadon in […]

Press Release: WHE Receives USEPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 412-404-2872 Women for a Healthy Environment Receives USEPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Pittsburgh, PA (September 24, 2024) – Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) has received the USEPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award for its leadership in promoting the use of Safer Choice […]

Press Release: WHE and Philadelphia Regional Center for Childrens’s Environmental Health Announce Findings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 941-735-2547Jessica Gupta JonesEmail: Jessica.Gupta@Pennmedicine.upenn.eduPhone: 215-573-7633 Women For A Healthy Environment (WHE) and Philadelphia Regional Center for Children’s Environmental Health Announce Findings of Pilot Project on Shade Structures in Childcare Settings Philadelphia, PA – July 1, 2024 — Women For A Healthy Environment (WHE), today released the findings of […]

Breathing Easy: New Study Shows Dramatic Improvement in Childcare Center Air Quality

Every child deserves to breathe clean air, especially during their crucial developmental years. However, indoor air pollution can pose a significant health threat, especially for children with asthma or respiratory sensitivities. WHE recently released a study focused on improving air quality within childcare centers. The results are truly remarkable, demonstrating the impact of targeted interventions […]

Press Release: WHE Pilot Study Shows Air Filters Significantly Reduce PN2.5 Levels in Philadelphia Childcare Centers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 941-735-2547 Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) Pilot Study Shows Air Filters Significantly Reduce PM2.5 Levels in Philadelphia Childcare Centers Why This Is Important: Developing Lungs Are More Susceptible to Harms by Air Pollution Pittsburgh, PA (May 22, 2024) – A new pilot study conducted by WHE demonstrated […]

Press Release: WHE Hosts Speakers Series Featuring White House Environmental Justice Leader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 941-735-2547 Women For A Healthy Environment (WHE) Host Speakers Series Featuring White House Environmental Justice Leader Program Will Honor Mon Valley Environmental Justice Volunteer Activists Pittsburgh, PA (April 25, 2024) – WHE announces its annual fundraising speaker series featuring a leading voice in environmental justice, Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, […]

Press Release: WHE Receives 2024 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 941-735-2547 WHE Receives 2024 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Pittsburgh, PA (April 17, 2024) – Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) was honored this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with a 2024 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award. The award recognizes outstanding environmental projects throughout the Commonwealth. […]

Press Release: WHE to Unveil Report Revealing Detectable PFAS Contamination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores Parker, manager of communicationsEmail: dolores@womenforahealthyenvironment.orgPhone: 941-735-2547 WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT TO UNVEIL REPORT REVEALING DETECTABLE PFAS CONTAMINATION IN PITTSBURGH’S RIVERS LINKED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT The report’s comprehensive insights will be discussed in detail at a PFAS Lunch and Learn webinar scheduled for today, January 8, 2024, 1-2 […]

WHE Press Release: EPA’s Proposed Amendments to Lead and Copper Rule

“These proposed amendments represent a substantial improvement over the existing LCR, and they have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans who are still exposed to lead in their drinking water,” said Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of WHE.  Read more in our press release, click here to download

Press Release: Congresswoman Summer Lee, Women for a Healthy Environment to Announce $190,940 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Federal Grant to Combat Lead Poisoning in Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dolores ParkerEmail: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.orgPhone: 412-404-2872 Congresswoman Summer Lee, Women for a Healthy Environment to Announce $190,940 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Federal Grant to Combat Lead Poisoning in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA (November 17, 2023) – Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) to announce that Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) has received a […]

Choosing Safer Sunscreens for the Summer

Written by Kelsea Siter, Americorps KEYS member Looking for safe sunscreen options for this summer? You have come to the right place! Sunscreen is one of the most important steps in protecting and preventing our skin from harmful levels of radiation, sun damage, and skin cancer. Many of us buy sunscreen based on the SPF […]

The Link Between Environmental Factors and Alzheimer’s Disease

Although research shows that Alzheimer’s disease is mostly a genetic condition, the other 30% is said to be attributable to lifestyle factors and environmental risk factors.  

Eating Locally, Seasonally, and Climate-Friendly with Your Local Farmers’ Market!

For years, I have enjoyed supporting and traveling to different local farmers markets with my family. Luckily where I grew up, we had access to fresh and local foods from nearby farmers and businesses that were available to the community each weekend. Supporting local farmers markets around your city is the easiest way to feel good about the food you buy. Here are some of the benefits and reasons why you should buy your food from farmers markets: 

American Rescue Plan and Investing in K-12 School Infrastructure

What is the American Rescue Plan and how will it help K-12 school infrastructure in Pennsylvania? The American Rescue Plan is a federal act that was enacted on March 11, 2021 and provided over $122 billion to states to assist K-12 schools in safely reopening and sustaining important operations during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The […]

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

EDCs can be found in many everyday products, including some plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics and pesticides. Because of how they are incorporated into products and packaging, EDCs can take a really long time to break down, which makes them ever present in our natural environment. EDCs have been found in sources of drinking water, and in fact, some of the chemicals used to treat drinking water, in particular disinfectant by-products, are known EDCs.

Earth Week: Our Changing Climate

Written by Kelsea Siter, KEYS Americorps Member Earth Day is right around the corner, and 2020 was a hard year for all of us; from the uncertainty and fear surrounding the pandemic, to the large wildfires that destroyed 4 million acres of land in California. Despite people staying inside because of Covid, 2020 still saw […]