Environmental Working Group

Environmental Working Group
Name	Environmental Working Group
Founded	0 1993
Founders	Ken Cook, Richard Wiles
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Key people	Ken Cook (President)
Focus	Environmental health, Consumer protection
Website	ewg.org

Environmental Working Group. The Environmental Working Group is a prominent American non-profit organization and advocacy group focused on research and education in the areas of environmental health and consumer protection. Founded in 1993, it conducts research and publishes reports on issues such as toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, and drinking water quality. The organization is known for its consumer guides and databases, which aim to empower the public with information about product safety and environmental contaminants.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles. Its creation was driven by a growing public concern over pesticide residues in food and a perceived lack of adequate regulation from agencies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Early work focused heavily on analyzing United States Department of Agriculture data to highlight the prevalence of pesticides in the American food supply. The group quickly gained attention with its reports and became a vocal critic of industrial agriculture practices and federal farm policy.

Mission and activities

The stated mission is to use the power of information to protect public health and the environment. Its core activities involve conducting original research, building comprehensive databases, and disseminating findings to consumers, journalists, and policymakers. A major focus is empowering individuals to make informed choices, exemplified by its popular Skin Deep cosmetics database and its annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. The organization also engages in litigation and supports campaigns for stronger regulations on chemical safety and clean water.

Research and publications

The group produces a wide array of reports and online tools. Key publications include the Tap Water Database, which details contaminants in U.S. drinking water systems, and extensive research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Its work on agricultural subsidies has analyzed spending by the United States Congress through the Farm Bill. Other notable resources are the Dirty Dozen list of produce with high pesticide residues and the Guide to Sunscreens. These publications are frequently cited by major media outlets like The New York Times and CNN.

Advocacy and policy work

Advocacy efforts target both federal and state legislatures, pushing for reforms to laws like the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The organization has been a proponent of strengthening the Clean Water Act and has lobbied for bans on specific chemicals such as chlorpyrifos. It often collaborates with other groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club, in broader coalitions. Testimony before committees like the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is a common tactic.

Criticism and controversies

The organization has faced criticism from various quarters, including the agricultural industry, chemical manufacturers, and some scientists. Critics, including representatives from Monsanto and CropLife America, have accused it of using alarmist language and cherry-picking data to exaggerate risks. Some toxicologists have questioned the methodology of its Skin Deep database, arguing it misrepresents hazard versus actual risk. The publication of the Dirty Dozen list is annually contested by groups like the Alliance for Food and Farming, which argues it discourages consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables.

Funding and organization

It is funded through a combination of individual donations, grants from private foundations, and online sales of its consumer guides. Major foundation supporters have included the Wallace Genetic Foundation, the Park Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The organization maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in Oakland, California. Leadership has remained consistent, with co-founder Ken Cook serving as president since its inception, overseeing a staff of scientists, policy analysts, and communications professionals.

Category:Environmental organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Organizations established in 1993 Category:Consumer protection organizations in the United States