Publications

Reports
	Playing on Poisons-Harmful Flame Retardants in Furniture for ChildrenAlaska Community Action on Toxics participated in a nationwide testing and report with Center for the Environmental Health (CEH) on toxics found in common furniture products made for children. We purchased a Spiderman chair in August 2013 at a Walmart store in Anchorage, Alaska. This chair was tested and found to contain the flame retardant Firemaster 550.Website \| Report \| ACAT News \| News Release at Center for the Environmental Health (CEH)
	Community-based participatory research projects and policy engagement to protect environmental health on St Lawrence Island, Alaska, International Journal of Circumpolar Health, Vol 72 (2013) Pamela K. Miller, Viola Waghiyi, Gretchen Welfinger-Smith, Samuel Carter Byrne, Jane Kava, Jesse Gologergen, Lorraine Eckstein, Ronald Scrudato, Jeff Chiarenzelli, David O. Carpenter and Samarys Seguinot-Medina
	Retailer TherapyRanking retailers on their commitment to personal care product cosmetics safety, putting a spotlight on Walmart, Target, Macy’s, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, Kroger and Whole Foods Market. 12/11/12 Press Release: Who’s Naughty and Who’s Nice? How retailers respond to consumer demand for safe personal care products from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Alaska Community Action on Toxics
	Naptime Nightmares? Toxic Flame Retardants in Child Care Nap Mats Children’s nap mats from Alaska, Washington, California, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut contain harmful flame retardant chemicals, according to independent testing commissioned by the Center for the Environmental Health (CEH) in collaboration with Alaska Community Action on Toxics and other groups. The flame retardant chemicals found in the nap mats, which are used in daycare centers in Alaska and nationwide, have been linked to cancer, genetic damage, impacts on fertility and reproductive health, allergies, hormone disruption, and other serious health problems. Alaska Community Action on Toxics, CEH, the Washington Toxics Coalition, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Clean and Healthy New York, and Clean Water Action chapters in Massachusetts and Connecticut collected 24 nap mats, and sent them to Duke University researcher Heather Stapleton for testing. Dr. Stapleton’s testing found flame retardant chemicals in all but two of the nap mats. The testing found 10 different flame retardant chemicals (or chemical mixtures) in the nap mats; 19 of the nap mats contain more than one harmful flame retardant chemical. Eleven of the nap mats were advertised as flame resistant. News Release \| Report: Naptime Nightmares? Toxic Flame Retardants in Child Care Nap Mats Podcast and CHE-AK presentation with Dr. Heather Stapleton recorded 2/13/13
	Indigenous Peoples of North America: Environmental Exposures and Reproductive JusticeElizabeth Hoover, Katsi Cook, Ron Plain, Kathy Sanchez, Vi Waghiyi, Pamela Miller, Renee Dufault, Caitlin Sislin, David O. Carpenter. (2012). Environmental Health Perspectives doi:10.1289.Available at: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2012/08/indigenous-peoples-of-north-america-environmental-exposures-and-reproductive-justice-2/Indigenous American communities face disproportionate health burdens and environmental health risks relative to the average North American population. These health impacts are issues of both environmental and reproductive justice.Continued research which involves collaborative partnerships among scientific researchers, community members and health care providers is needed to determine the impacts of this contamination and the approaches for remediation and policy interventions.
	Environmental contamination of the Yupik people of St. Lawrence Island, AlaskaCarpenter, David O. and Miller, Pamela K. (2011) “Environmental contamination of the Yupik people of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska,” Journal of Indigenous Research: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 1. Available at: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/kicjir/vol1/iss1/1
	Organochlorine and Metal Contaminants in Traditional Foods from St. Lawrence Island, AlaskaGretchen Welfinger-Smith, Judith L. Minholz, Sam Byrne, Vi Waghiyi, Jesse Gologergen, Jane Kava, Morgan Apatiki, Eddie Ungott, Pamela K. Miller, John G. Arnason & David O. Carpenter. (2011). “Organochlorine and Metal Contaminants in Traditional Foods from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska“. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues, Volume 74, Issue 18, pages 1195-1214. DOI:10.1080/15287394.2011.590099Available at: http://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15287394.2011.590099
	Coal Ash in Alaska: Our Health, Our Right to Know(February 2011) Waste from coal-fired power plants in the Fairbanks area have been disposed of with virtually no restrictions for decades. Samples of coal ash collected in the Fairbanks area in June 2010 were found to contain a range of toxic heavy metals including arsenic, vanadium, and mercury. In almost every case, the levels of toxic chemicals were found to be much higher than background soil samples.
	Mind, Disrupted: How Toxic Chemicals May Change How We Think and Who We Are(February 2010) Twelve leaders from the Learning and Developmental Disability community stepped forward to have their bodies tested for the presence of a set of chemicals known or suspected to be neurotoxic or endocrine disrupting. Mind, Disrupted is a synthesis of the test results and the experiences of participants.
	Hazardous Chemicals in Health Care: A Snapshot of Chemicals in Doctors and Nurses(November 2009) Details the first ever investigation of chemicals found in the bodies of health care professionals, including two Alaskan participants. The project tested for 62 chemicals that are used in products common to the health care setting.
	Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Arctic: Report for the Delegates of the 4th Conference of the Parties Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2009)
	Lindane: Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Alternatives (April 2009)
	Is It In Us? Toxic Trespass, Regulatory Failure & Opportunities for Action(2007) Toxic chemicals from everyday products contaminate the bodies of every person in this country. Thirty-five Americans from seven states participated in this national biomonitoring project to measure toxic chemicals in the bodies of average Americans.
	POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN SERUM OF THE SIBERIAN YUPIK PEOPLE FROM ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, ALASKA David O. Carpenter, Anthony P. DeCaprio, David O’Hehir, Farooq Akhtar, Glenn Johnson, Ronald J. Scrudato, Lucy Apatiki, Jane Kava, Jesse Gologergen, Pamela K. Miller, Lorraine Eckstein. (2005). “POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN SERUM OF THE SIBERIAN YUPIK PEOPLE FROM ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, ALASKA“. International Journal of Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(4):322-335). Objectives. To determine serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Siberian Yupik adults from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, and to determine the relative contribution of atmospheric transport of PCBs and local contamination to body burdens.
	A Survey of Waste Management Practices at Alaska’s Health Care Facilities: A Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (January 2005)
	Contaminants in Alaska: Is America’s Arctic at Risk? This collaborative report was released in September 2000, by a coalition of federal and state agencies and non-governmental organizations. Interagency Collaboration: US Dept. of the Interior, State of Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation & Dept of Health & Social Services, US EPA, NOAA, University of Alaska Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies Non-governmental organizations: Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska Native Science Commission, Alaska Inter-Tribal Council, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, Alaska Native Tribal health Consortium, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, North Slope Borough, September 2000 Press Release
	The Nuclear Reactor at Fort Greely (May 2000) An investigative report by Alaska Community Action on Toxics for Delta Junction, Alaska.

Biomonitoring

Mind, Disrupted: How Toxic Chemicals May Change How We Think and Who We Are(February 2010)
Hazardous Chemicals in Health Care: A Snapshot of Chemicals in Doctors and Nurses(November 2010)

Is It In Us? Toxic Trespass, Regulatory Failure & Opportunities for Action (2007)

Chemical Fact Sheets

Fact sheets on chemicals of concern describing common sources of the chemical, how the chemical may affect human health, and ways to reduce exposure.

Citizen Suits

Citizen’s suit on dispersants (Legal complaint against the US EPA) (August 6, 2012) Press Release

Coal

Environmental Justice

Indigenous Women and Environmental Violence—A Right Based Approach Addressing Impacts of Environmental Contamination on Indigenous Women, Girls and Future Generations. (January 2012)
Who’s in Danger? A Demographic Analysis of Chemical Disaster Vulnerability Zones: a report released 5/1/14 from the Environmental Justice and Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform (co-sponsored by Coming Clean and the Center for Effective Government) analyzes who the 134 million Americans are who live in danger zones around the 3,433 facilities in several common industries that store or use highly hazardous chemicals and live daily with the ever-present threat of a chemical disaster. Read more at Coming Clean.

Health & Environment Bulletin for Health Care Providers

Coal Mining & Public Health: Health and the Environment Bulletin, May 2013
Update: Body of Evidence: Reproductive Health and the Environment Bulletin, Volume 2, No 1, Summer 2012, Primary Author: Alissa Cordner, MA, contributing author & Editor: Sarah Petras, MPH
Diabetes: The Role of Persistent Toxic Chemicals in this Complex Disease, April 2008, Volume 1, No. 2
Body of Evidence: Reproductive Health and the Environment Bulletin – Spring 2007 (Reissued Spring 2008), Volume 1. No. 1

Health Care

Hazardous Chemicals in Health Care: A Snapshot of Chemicals in Doctors and Nurses (November 2009

Environmental Health Care Toolkit (April 2009)
Poster: Protecting our Health in Alaska (2009)
Diabetes – The Role of Persistent Toxic Chemicals in the Complex Disease (April 2008)
Body of Evidence – Reproductive Health and the Environment (March 2008)
A Survey of Waste Management Practices at Alaska’s Health Care Facilities (January 2005)

Home and Garden

ACAT has developed the following resources to help you avoid exposure to everyday products that contain harmful chemicals.

Browse our chemical fact sheets to learn more about how common chemicals may affect human health and ways to reduce your exposure.

Military

Comments to U.S. Army on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Resumption of Year- Round Firing Opportunities on Fort Richardson (June 14, 2010)

Formerly Used Defense Sites in the Norton Sound Region: Location, History of Use, Contaminants Present, and Status of Clean-up Efforts (July 2006)

The Nuclear Reactor at Fort Greely (May 2000) An investigative report by Alaska Community Action on Toxics for Delta Junction, Alaska.
Nuclear Flashback– Return to Amchitka (1996) A report by Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Nuclear Flashback Part II. The Threat of the U.S. Nuclear Complex (February, 1998) A report by Nuclear-Free-Weapons America and the Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Environmental Justice & Military Superfund Sites in Alaska (complete pdf file is 57mb)
- Overview_of_Key_Issues
- Map_of Five_Military_Superfund_Sites_in_Alaska
- Environmental Justice at Alaska Military Superfund Sites Factsheets:

Mining

Newsletters

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Community-based participatory research projects and policy engagement to protect environmental health on St Lawrence Island, Alaska, International Journal of Circumpolar Health, Vol 72 (2013) Pamela K. Miller, Viola Waghiyi, Gretchen Welfinger-Smith, Samuel Carter Byrne, Jane Kava, Jesse Gologergen, Lorraine Eckstein, Ronald Scrudato, Jeff Chiarenzelli, David O. Carpenter and Samarys Seguinot-Medina
Indigenous Peoples of North America: Environmental Exposures and Reproductive Justice Elizabeth Hoover, Katsi Cook, Ron Plain, Kathy Sanchez, Vi Waghiyi, Pamela Miller, Renee Dufault, Caitlin Sislin, David O. Carpenter. (2012). Environmental Health Perspectives doi:10.1289.Available at: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/2012/08/indigenous-peoples-of-north-america-environmental-exposures-and-reproductive-justice-2/Indigenous American communities face disproportionate health burdens and environmental health risks relative to the average North American population. These health impacts are issues of both environmental and reproductive justice.Continued research which involves collaborative partnerships among scientific researchers, community members and health care providers is needed to determine the impacts of this contamination and the approaches for remediation and policy interventions.
Environmental contamination of the Yupik people of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska Carpenter, David O. and Miller, Pamela K. (2011) “Environmental contamination of the Yupik people of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska,” Journal of Indigenous Research: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 1. Available at: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/kicjir/vol1/iss1/1
Organochlorine and Metal Contaminants in Traditional Foods from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska Gretchen Welfinger-Smith, Judith L. Minholz, Sam Byrne, Vi Waghiyi, Jesse Gologergen, Jane Kava, Morgan Apatiki, Eddie Ungott, Pamela K. Miller, John G. Arnason & David O. Carpenter. (2011). “Organochlorine and Metal Contaminants in Traditional Foods from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska“. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues, Volume 74, Issue 18, pages 1195-1214. DOI:10.1080/15287394.2011.590099Available at: http://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15287394.2011.590099
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN SERUM OF THE SIBERIAN YUPIK PEOPLE FROM ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, ALASKA David O. Carpenter, Anthony P. DeCaprio, David O’Hehir, Farooq Akhtar, Glenn Johnson, Ronald J. Scrudato, Lucy Apatiki, Jane Kava, Jesse Gologergen, Pamela K. Miller, Lorraine Eckstein. (2005). “POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN SERUM OF THE SIBERIAN YUPIK PEOPLE FROM ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, ALASKA“. International Journal of Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(4):322-335).
A Survey of Waste Management Practices at Alaska’s Health Care Facilities: A Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (January 2005)

Pesticides

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Contaminants in Alaska: Is America’s Arctic at Risk? (September 2000) An interagency collaborative paper.

Worker Health

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Legacy Fact Sheet (2004)

Public Comments

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN SERUM OF THE SIBERIAN YUPIK PEOPLE FROM ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND, ALASKA

A Survey of Waste Management Practices at Alaska’s Health Care Facilities: A Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Contaminants in Alaska: Is America’s Arctic at Risk?

The Nuclear Reactor at Fort Greely