Environmental Working Group

I have been a supporter of the Environmental Working Group for many years. They provide important information about environmental toxins that contribute to disease, such as which fruits and vegetables contain the most pesticides and should be bought organic, and which sunscreens and personal care products are safe for children and adults. I rely on them heavily and tell people about them all the time.

Molly Hauck
Kensington, MD

For quite a while I was a supporter of the Environmental Working Group. However, I had an experience with the organization that had led me to question my support.

Environmental Working Group reviews a number of consumer products including sunscreens. They are particularly well known for their sunscreen reviews. Several months ago, during a discussion with a couple of dermatologists, I brought up the subject of Environmental Working Group sunscreen reviews. They both felt that the research basis for these reviews was not at all convincing. I was surprised to hear this. I have a scientific background and said that I would look into this with the organization.

Unfortunately, all of my efforts to communicate with the Environmental Working Group were frustrating leading me to question the organization's commitment to transparency. I wrote a message explaining my interest in exploring the science behind their sunscreen recommendations and was told that it would be forwarded internally to the appropriate person. 6 weeks later I had received no response. I sent the message again, this time receiving no response in 3 months. I was not able to find any additional avenues of communication with the organization.

My experience with the Environmental Working Group was what I had anticipated. I have reluctantly concluded that the the organization is unfortunately far from transparent. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to justify supporting them.

I have worked in the Senate, for an environmental non-profit, and in the private sector on agricultural sustainability issues for over 15 years. This group more than most I've worked with has made a living off of enraging people without delivering any results in return. They do not know how to be good partners, with their own community or those on the business side they seek changes from. EWG seems to make its money from getting people mad, perhaps that is the space it intends to occupy, but don't confuse that with making change - you can't make change if you can't build trust.

The services I have used from EWG include the Cosmetics Database, the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen, and the Sunscreen database. Their information has completely changed the products I purchase.

It is all good and dandy but excuse me making over $200,000 in CEO salary is a rip off. Total. Warren Buffet pays himself a $100,000 and he is the richest man on earth. I guess Ken is overindulging and is not being modest.

It's unfortunate that the US has become "the best government that money can buy". Consequently, mega-corporations dictate everything in our lives through ownership of government agencies such as the FDA, USDA, etc. Lobbyists (legalized corruption) representing citizens are few and far between, and have comparatively "chump change" for "dues". Environmental Working Group (EWG) happens to be one of them.

this is a highly effective organization, I very much appreciate all that they do, and yet I am now disappointed to see that the CEO's salary is well about 200,000 now. This is a non-profit, and they are asking small donors to give who make a lot less than that. Environmental groups are going corporate without evening knowing it by accepting that the only reward is a high salary. That is ultimately one of the biggest reasons for environmental destruction--greed.

The EWG is one of the most effective environmental justice and public health organizations in the world. They have some of the most compelling research available free to the public. I use EWG's research to compare radiation levels of cell phones. I also use EWG.org to find out what chemicals are in my cities drinking water as well as finding the safest sunscreens and other cosmetics. The Environmental Working Group or EWG perform lab test, compile data, take surveys, engage the public, work with local and federal government to ban toxic chemicals from products, and also they educate families on healthy living. The provide a highly advanced and super informative website. EWG'S Ken Cook is really an incredible public health expert if I have ever seen one.

This organization seems to be raising public awareness and getting legislation passed to protect consumer and children's health. I use their safe cosmetics database all the time to look for shampoos, baby lotions, sunscreen, lipstick that are less toxic. I read about their research - such as the latest report on rocket fuel chemicals found in baby formulas - frequently in NYT and other major media. I am impressed by the depth and breadth of their work.