Silent Spring Institute Inc

Programs: Silent spring institute is a nonprofit scientific research organization that is investigating the links between the environment and women's health, especially breast cancer. We are the only independent research organization dedicated to breast cancer prevention. Our path-breaking research program focuses on identifying and reducing common exposures to hormone disruptors and breast carcinogens. Silent spring institute is also at the forefront in developing community-based research methods that link scientists with community members and leaders to help build a healthier and safer environment for all. Our multidisciplinary scientific staff collaborates with researchers at harvard university, northeastern university, university of california, berkeley, fox chase cancer center, and university of california, los angeles. See sched o. Silent spring institute was founded in 1994 to investigate elevated breast cancer rates on cape cod. Since then, the institute has become a national leader in environmental health research and the influence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (edcs) on hormonal cancers (e. G. , breast, prostate, ovarian, testicular), fertility, and child development. The institute has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and is developing new technologies to accelerate the identification of toxic chemicals in our everyday lives. Among our accomplishments over the past 22 years are a number of important "firsts. " silent spring institute was the first to measure household exposure to 30 endocrine-disrupting compounds (2003) and to quantify the presence of 55 edcs in 213 consumer products (2012). We were the first to identify thyroid-disrupting flame retardants as a health risk in u. S. Homes (2004), the first to compile a comprehensive database of breast carcinogens (2007), and the first to demonstrate that food packaging is a major source of exposure to hormone-disrupting bpa and phthalates (2011). We were the first to demonstrate the link between california furniture flammability standards and increased levels of flame retardants in people's blood and urine, as well as in their household dust (2008) and the first to subsequently document levels of new flame retardants in california homes following the ban of pbdes (2012). Silent spring institute was the first to create a priority list of 17 breast carcinogens and methods for measuring them in people as a tool for reducing exposures (2014). Our research was the first to find levels of unregulated consumer product chemicals in public drinking water wells on cape cod (2014) and we showed that septic systems are a source of highly fluorinated chemicals (pfass) in private wells (2016). In 2016, we launched a free mobile app called detox me that offers consumers science-based tips on how to avoid harmful chemicals in consumer products and lead a healthier life. The following year in 2017, we found students on college campuses are exposed to high levels of toxic flame retardants in dormitory dust, including some of the highest levels ever reported. This was the first study of its kind to look at exposure to a wide range of flame retardants in dust on college campuses. That same year, we published a critical review of 158 epidemiological studies on environmental chemicals and breast cancer from the past 10 years, making it the most thorough assessment to date of evidence from human studies. These scientific advances combined have empowered consumers to make better choices and have helped advance policies that that protect public health by encouraging the transition to safer chemicals. Current studies include:- household exposure study: understand how people are exposed to chemicals in consumer products and develop strategies to reduce exposures. - chemicals and breast cancer: building on national initiatives for chemical safety screening, develop innovative methods to rapidly screen chemicals for effects on breast development and breast cancer. - personal exposure right-to-know study: develop and evaluate ethical and effective methods for reporting results to participants in biomonitoring and personal exposure studies. - cape cod drinking water study: measure contaminants in cape cod drinking water, identify markers of contamination, and evaluate technology and policy options to protect groundwater. - green housing study: measure the impact of green renovations on indoor air pollutants. - open data practices for environmental health studies: evaluate online sharing of data, measure ethical concerns about possible re-identification of study participants. - women firefighters biomonitoring collaborative: measure chemical exposures of female firefighters in the san francisco area to flame retardants and other pollutants. - healthy green campus project: partner with colleges to help them incorporate health into their sustainability plans and provide them with tools for reducing exposures to toxic chemicals on campuses. - early life exposures to environmental chemicals: investigate whether exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals during adolescence increases susceptibility to breast cancer in adulthood. - exposure to highly fluorinated chemicals (pfass) in drinking water, fast food packaging, and other consumer products. Our outreach and communications program links our research with public health policy and informs individuals and communities. Outreach includes a popular web site and blog, lay summaries of our scientific studies, an e-newsletter, tips for consumers, and a growing presence on social media. Every year, our research team participates in dozens of advisory panels, conferences, seminars and community events across the country. Our research has received widespread coverage by national news media outlets including the new york times, bloomberg, cnn, time magazine, the washington post, the boston globe, cbs news, huffington post, scientific american, and dozens more. Silent spring institute is supported by federal grants, private foundations, and individual donors.