Our 2021 Annual Report: Environment, health, science & impact

An update from the front lines of climate change and environmental health

What a time of change and growth!

We are pleased to share Environmental Health Sciences' 2021 Annual Report, highlighting the many activities we undertook last year that set EHS up for a strong 2022.


Download our annual report here:

EHS-2021-Annual-Report.pdf

Environmental impact

Agriculture and environmental health

2021 was a year of excitement and challenge for our small nonprofit.

  1. We launched EHN en Español,
  2. Doubled down on our commitment to the groundbreaking early career science program Agents of Change, and
  3. Saw significant gains on both the toxics and climate fronts.

And we watched readers – like you! – get engaged in ways that continually surprised us.

Our work continues

PFAS in cosmetics

In just the first three months this year EHS staff has been a hive of activity:

  • Partnered with wellness community Mamavation.com to investigate PFAS contamination in sports bras, cosmetics and other products.
  • Driven a global campaign around groundbreaking BPA limits in Europe – and why the same scientific standards should be applied in the U.S.
  • Published 10 Agents of Change essays & podcasts exploring everything from new pathways into science to workplace chemical exposures.

Take a look at the work EHS did last year and be proud that you, as a reader, are moving it forward.

We certainly are grateful to you!

PS: Just today we published a look at impacts one year after publishing "Fractured," our groundbreaking investigation into spillover pollution from fracking fields in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Check it out!

Banner photo art by David Ryder for EHN.org

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sign at the headquarters building in Washington, DC.
Credit: marcnorman/ BigStock Photo ID: 21123533

How Lee Zeldin shifted the mission — and the message — of the E.P.A.

More than any administrator in decades, Lee Zeldin talks about the Environmental Protection Agency's work in economic terms, reflecting President Trump’s desire to boost industry while downplaying environmental consequences.
The facade of the White House on a sunny day

How the Trump administration’s climate math doesn’t add up

There's an old argument that protecting the environment hurts the economy. It's wrong for a lot of reasons.
power plant towers with smoke emitting from the top

Trump EPA proposes loosening restrictions on toxic coal ash disposal

Federal regulators have proposed a rule that would loosen restrictions on the storage of toxic waste that is created by burning coal to produce electricity, a move that critics say favors industry interests over public health.

Food service line worker in a hot kitchen

Trump worker heat program removes inspection goals

The program was designed to increase inspections at worksites with a high risk for extreme heat. But the Trump administration has eliminated inspection metrics.

Palm trees in front of tall buildings blowing in hurricane gales

The emerging danger of post-hurricane heat waves

With global warming making people increasingly dependent on air conditioning, power failures from hurricanes followed by heat waves are creating increasingly hazardous risks to health.
A tropical location with palm trees and the sunset in the background
Credit: Hans/Unsplash+

Tropics take the brunt as hotter oceans drive large-scale humid heat waves: Study

As climate change intensifies, people around the world are learning firsthand how dangerous high temperatures can be, and prolonged heat becomes even more dangerous, and deadly, when paired with high humidity.

Texas oil and gas well with accompanying storage tanks
Credit: jimsphotos/BigStock Photo ID: 307094

Oil tycoon funds far-right candidate challenging Texas oilfield regulator

Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright led the agency’s efforts to reform oilfield waste rules. Oil billionaires are now backing Bo French to unseat him.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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