What is CHEC? The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition
(CHEC) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating the
public, specifically parents and caregivers, about environmental toxins
that affect children’s health.
Who
founded CHEC and why?
CHEC was founded by James and Nancy Chuda after their daughter, Colette,
died at the age of five of Wilm’s Tumor, a non-hereditary form of
cancer. Suspecting that Colette’s illness was caused by maternal
exposure to pesticides, the Chudas founded CHEC in her memory.
What
is CHEC’s mission?
The ultimate goal of the coalition is to eliminate children’s exposure
to man-made toxic substances by ensuring everyone’s right to know
what is in their air, food, water and commercial products. CHEC’s
mission is to inform parents, and all others concerned with children’s
welfare, about the risks of exposure to toxic substances in homes, schools,
and communities.
What
is CHEC doing to achieve this mission?
CHEC is working to achieve its goal through increased scientific research,
education and mobilization of individuals across the country. CHEC also
advocates government action on behalf of children’s health at the
local, state and national levels.
What
has CHEC accomplished?
In 1994, the study, Handle With Care: Children and Environmental Carcinogens,
was released and became the first systematic analysis of children’s
exposure to carcinogens in their home and school environments. The report
was distributed around the world and helped to spark the interest of U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who then took action to change current environmental
protection policy. In March 1995, Senator Boxer proposed an amendment
to the “Toxic Substances Control Act”, entitled the “Children’s
Environmental Protection Act” (CEPA), which was designed to address
the need for greater protections for children, as well as for other vulnerable
groups including pregnant women and the elderly.
Armed with multitudes of reliable research and data,
CHEC has established itself as the information resource for the public
regarding the environmental dangers that threaten children. CHEC’s
website, www.checnet.org, has played a significant role in this effort.
What
online resources are available on www.checnet.org?
In addition to general information about CHEC, visitors to www.checnet.org
will find CHEC’s HealtheHouse, an interactive source of a wide array
of information on environmental health risks children face in the home.
By taking a virtual tour through the rooms of a typical house, visitors
can learn how to make their own homes safer. Visitors to the website will
find out how to sign up for the First Steps program, a monthly, personalized
email program designed to offer timely information to minimize a fetus’
or baby's exposure to toxic chemicals. By registering the due date or
birth date of a child, tailored information corresponding to the stage
of development is sent.
“The State of Children’s Health and Environment 2002,”
a report containing commonsense solutions for parents and policymakers,
can be downloaded from the website. Additionally, visitors can learn how
to order “Not Under My Roof: Protecting Your Baby From Toxins At
Home,” an educational video featuring Kelly Preston and Olivia Newton-John.
Contact and biographical information on the Chudas,
CHEC’s Board of Directors, its Advisory Board and Science Advisory
Committee can also be found on the web site.
Who
is the national spokesperson for CHEC?
Kelly Preston is the national spokesperson for CHEC. An accomplished actress,
Preston prides herself most as the mother of two young children and wife
of film star John Travolta. *More extensive biographical information on
Preston and other CHEC board members and spokespeople is available online
and in the media kit.
Who
else is involved in CHEC?
CHEC benefits tremendously from the support of thousands of individuals
and concerned experts. Included in this group are the members of CHEC’s
Board of Directors: Erin Brockovich, Carrie Cook Platt, Elizabeth Hauge
Sword, Ann D. Cornell, Nancy Chuda, James Chuda, Jay Feldman, M.A., Tessa
Hill, Harvey Karp, M.D., Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., M.Sc., Nina Montee,
Olivia Newton-John, Kelly Preston and John Wargo, Ph.D.
What
can people do to help?
Log on to www.checnet.org, learn about CHEC and discuss these issues with
friends, family members and others in their communities. Volunteer to
help spread the message and make a tax-deductible donation to support
CHEC’s efforts.
