Community-Based Participatory Research
Working together at the community level is one of the most effective ways that we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and protect Alaska’s fish and wildlife.
Alaska Community Action on Toxics works with communities to conduct research, hold polluters accountable, and prompt local policies that prevent chemical exposures. We also work to support healthy workplaces and to develop and implement least-toxic best practices in schools, hospitals and other public facilities.
Contact us for more info to get involved!
Science to Action
Community Requests for Assistance
We often receive requests for assistance from communities and people on various topics and issues related to environmental health and justice. Workers call about the health effects of occupational exposure to various chemicals, citizens call requesting information on how to stop pesticide spraying in their neighborhood, and communities ask for biomonitoring assistance because of concerns of contamination of water, food and people.
Community-Based Environmental Health Research
The Community-Based Environmental Health Research: A Field Sampling Institute (FI) provides participants with the tools necessary to conduct their own community-based environmental sampling program to assess contaminants from local and global sources.
The FI brings together tribal leaders and other community members representing more than a dozen villages and communities from Norton Sound region and throughout Alaska for a week-long intensive training program. Participants gain knowledge and hands-on experience from classroom and field sessions with nationally renowned scientists and environmental health experts. They learn about water quality testing, fish sampling, sediment coring, GIS computer mapping, and how to monitor stream health. Through hands-on investigations, participants explore streams, wetlands, and coastal areas. Using modern technology and traditional ecological knowledge. Back in the classroom, they learn how environmental contaminants may affect human health and how to implement independent community-based environmental sampling programs in their villages.