2009 Rachel Carson Legacy Conference
When Chemicals Disrupt: Managing Our Risks

September 25, 2009
@ Bidwell Training Center, Pittsburgh, PA


This conference addressed the dichotomy between critical protection of the environment (and our bodies and those of the next generations) from endocrine disrupting contaminants and the unbridled economic interest of those who produce substances which directly or indirectly act as endocrine or developmental disruptors.  We encouraged an open dialogue with the objective of identifying a set of mechanisms that can have rapid effect on the control of endocrine disrupting substances flowing into the environment as bio-accumulating contaminants.  Mounting scientific evidence on a global scale compels immediate and effective action.  However, there is widespread disagreement on the best course of action, and in particular, on the role of regulation in accomplishing change.

 Conference Content
The Rachel Carson Legacy Conference approached the topic of endocrine disruptors in three parts:
Policy: Comparison/explanation of policy approaches from one or more high level perspectives.
Science: endocrine disruptor evidence as a serious and urgent issue for public policy action in the public interest.
Remedies:  Both technical and regulatory solutions are open.  There was a discussion format that embraced the tension between the regulatory vs. voluntary, market based compliance approaches from companies engaged in finding solutions.

Download the Program here

Listen to Allegheny Front's interviews with Ken Cook and Jerome Ringo

Speakers (Click on the speaker for their presentation.  All should be posted shortly.)

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
   
Terry Collins, Ph.D., Thomas Lord Professor of Green Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University

U.S. Representative Michael Doyle

Jerome C. Ringo, President, Apollo Alliance

Ken Cook, President, Environmental Working Group

Michael Wilson, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley 

Paul Renner, Associate Director, The Labor Institute 

Conrad Daniel Volz, Ph.D. MPH, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh

Timothy Hall, C.E.O.,  Green OX Catalysts, Inc.

Talal El-Hefnawy, MD, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Maryann Donovan, Ph.D., MPH, Scientific Director, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Center for Environmental Oncology
 

 Thanks to Jack Mascaro and Mascaro Construction for hosting the reception that followed the conference. Jack Mascaro is also founder of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh.  Mascaro Construction is one of the top LEED® contractors in the region. 
Also to the University of Pittsburgh Center for Healthy Environments and Communities which generously sponsored mini-bus transportation for students.


Bidwell Training Center
1815 Metropolitan Street
Pittsburgh, PA
maps.google.com/maps

 

We thank our Sponsors and Partners:

The Heinz Endowments
 R. K Mellon Foundation
Alcoa Foundation
 University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute/Center for Environmental Oncology with support from The Heinz Endowments
University of Pittsburgh Department of Geology and Planetary Science Environmental Studies Program
Carnegie Mellon University Institute of Green Science
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health/Center for Healthy Environments and Communities
Duquesne University Center for Environmental Research and Education
Mascaro Construction Company LP
Chatham University
International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 95



Media Sponsorship provided by



Rachel's Sustainable Feast
Sampling the Best of Western Pennsylvania

Download the 2009 Rachel's Sustainable Feast Program (includes all vendors and chefs)

12:30 to 4 p.m. on May 24 Rain or Shine – Bring your appetite for sampling great local food and your love of the region to the 3rd annual Rachel's Sustainable Feast at the Rachel Carson Homestead in Springdale, PA.  The best of Pittsburgh's chefs committed to buying locally, even more local farmers' markets, and as many of the region's great environment, conservation and fair-trade organizations and vendors as we can squeeze into the block party.  The event is held in celebration of Rachel Carson's birthday (May 27) and helps connect people to all the great things going on in Pittsburgh's backyard. 

Organizing partners include Eat 'N Park Hospitality, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Slow Food Pittsburgh and Whole Foods Market.  This event is part of the 2009 Pittsburgh Great Outdoors Week.

 
 


Media Sponsors
             





 Major sponsorship is provided by the Dominion Foundation. 



Additional sponsorship for the compostable items comes from Paper Products Inc.


Special thanks go to Agrecycle, Inc, The City of Pittsburgh, Tyler Mountain Water and Table Magazine.


Participating Chefs:
Keith Fuller of Six Penn Kitchen (who’ll be joined by Steve Salvi of Fede Pasta), Kevin Sousa of Salt of the Earth, Trevett Hooper of Legume Bistro, Michael Barnhouse from Brillobox, Dozen Bake Shop,  Bill Fuller of big Burrito Restaurant Group, Jordan Kay of Enrico Biscotti, Kevin Hunninen of Point Brugge Café, Paul Bates of Cura Hospitality, Terry Geracia and Rick Carrillo from Parkhurst Dining Services, Green Chef Kitty Leatham, as well as food served by Whole Foods Market and East End Food Coop

Farmers Markets, Organizations and Vendors:
Allegheny Health & Rehabilitation Center,  Allegheny Land Trust, Animal Rescue League Wildlife Center, Aseracare Hospice, Burgh Bees, Carnegie Museum of Nat. History, Carol Skinger (artist), East End Brewing, East End Food Co-op, Eden's Envy, Equita, Fresh Heirlooms, GASP, Green Circle Farms, Grow Pittsburgh, HOP! (Humane Options Pittsburgh), International Institute for Ecological Agriculture, Karen Sandorf (artist), Karen McKee (pottery), Kiskimenetas Watershed Association, Kopar Honey Farm, La Prima Espresso, Le-Ara Farms, Marburger Farm Dairy, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA), Milestone Specialty Produce, Natural Selection Green Cleaning, Our House Home Products, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture/Buy Fresh Buy Local, Penn Resource Council, Phipps Conservatory, Rachel Carson Trail Conservancy, RiverQuest, Roaring Run Watershed Association, SCA, Sierra Club, Springdale STAR group, Steel City BioFuels, Third Day Luxury Soaps, Three Rivers Bioneers, Turner Dairy, Vasso Pro-Energy Consultants, Venture Outdoors, Weatherbury Farm, Windy Hill Farm, Women of the Cloud Forest, Your Environmental Road Trip.

Rachel's Sustainable Feast is a signature event of the Pittsburgh Great Outdoors Week.  Visit Walls Are Bad for more information.



        



 
Contributions
Support Rachel Carson's legacy by making a contribution. Individual and Corporate giving programs are available.  Also donate on-line.
 
Make a Commitment
Learn more about Rachel Carson’s environmental ethic and environmental health. Take action now to reduce your exposure to chemical toxins and help heal the planet.
Photos of Rachel Carson courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services and the Lear/Carson Collection, Connecticut College