Physicians For Social Responsibility Inc

Programs: Psr-la works to protect public health from nuclear and environmental threats. Our program areas include: air and climate justice, land use and health, toxics, and nuclear threats. Air & climate justice: psr-la is working with the standing together against neighborhood drilling (stand-la) coalition to establish a 1,500-ft health and safety buffer zone between oil activities and sensitive uses. The coalition conducted numerous toxics tours showing different stakeholders and decision makers the reality of living, working, and learning in close proximity to oil wells. Psr-la worked with our local air district, the scaqmd, to enact strong air policies and regulations that curtail future oil activity and clean up the air in the region. (see schedule o for further program accomplishment descriptions)psr-la is working closely with a group of health and environmental nonprofits to develop a set of principles that reflect a range of policy considerations, which would strengthen the air quality management plan's health and equity focus. Psr-la worked with the los angeles equity alliance to hold our annual leadership academy with south la organizers and residents. Psr-la successfully advocated for ab 197 which requires a prioritization of direct emission reductions and sb 32 which solidified california's commitment to leading on climate and requires a 40% reductions in greenhouse gas levels by 2030. Land use & health: psr-la worked to develop the 500 feet project, which aims to visualize the presence of industrial sources of pollution in close proximity to sensitive uses, provide communities with the tools and resources to document hazards in their neighborhood, and develop policy solutions to land use incompatibility in south la. Psr-la developed a ground truthing tool kit and engagement model to refine the data presented in the 500 feet tool. The community engagement model allows residents to identify industries not captured by regulating agencies and the city. Psr-la continued to actively engage in education, advocacy and activism efforts at jordan downs, a 700-unit public housing community located in historic watts slated for privatization and redevelopment that is also located adjacent to a 21-acre brownfield that is currently undergoing the final phases of environmental remediation. Psr-la organized community health talks guided by physicians and attended by community residents, designed to share information and resources about the specific health consequences of exposure to particular contaminants of concern present in the environment. Toxics: psr-la advocated for health and safety buffer zones around schools to protect children from pesticide exposure. Psr-la conducted a policy landscape analysis for toxics policy in california to help advocates find new ways to protect communities from exposures. We are developing a strategy that promotes green chemistry innovations and clean production methods, and will focus on reducing the cumulative pollution burden in low income and communities of color. Psr-la also watchdogged the implementation of safer consumer product regulations. As the co-chair for californians for a healthy and green economy (change), we are continuing to work to reduce toxic chemicals in our products. Nuclear threats: psr-la created a community cost program in april 2016 to show individuals and communities just how much they pay in tax dollars for nuclear weapons. Psr-la participated in the formation of a west coast psr chapters to coordinate efforts to reach out to members of congress who might become champions to stop nuclear weapons "modernization and advocate for other disarmament measures. Psr-la held a candlelight vigil on august 9 to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki. Psr-la began participating in the alliance for nuclear accountability, building important new alliances with communities living near nuclear production and waste sites throughout the country. Psr-la coordinated community visits with several local elected official regarding the cleanup of nuclear and chemical contamination at the santa susana field lab (ssfl. ) psr-la coordinated a march 2016 meeting of the ssfl work group, which analyzed boeing's cancer risk assessment reports and boeing's proposal to leave most of the contamination on site. Psr-la coordinated demonstrations at boeing's public tours and hikes of the contaminated site.