Spending a few hours identifying some of the sources of environmental contamination in your community—and the organizing efforts to address them—can provide useful information about how to work for a healthy environment.  Search the internet and make a few phone calls to get started.  You can use the information just for yourself, or try putting it together in a way that you could share it with other people in your community—through neighborhood gatherings, community bulletin boards or other ways.

See an example of a local resource list from western Pennsylvania.

No two communities are the same, so there is no simple formula for finding out about local issues related to health and the environment. Some information may be easy to find, other more difficult. The following questions can help you get started.

1.  Are there any local policies addressing environmental contaminants? Check your local government’s website or call City Hall to find out where you can look up local policies.

2.  Are there any state policies addressing environmental contaminants? What organizations or elected officials work on this type of legislation?

3.  Does your local government have a department of the environment?  If so, how can they help me understand where environmental contaminants are in the community? Are they working on environmental policies in your city or county?

4.   Does the local health department have any programs to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants? Are there any health concerns that are affecting a large number of people in the community (for example, many urban centers have high rates of asthma, often attributed to living with high levels of air pollution)?

5.  Are there big sources of pollution in your community? For example, are there manufacturers, power plants, incinerators, or hazardous waste sites? Do people live near them? For these questions, try searching the archives of your local newspaper.  Some newspapers have their archives online, for others, ask your local library if you can access the archives.

6.  What community groups are working for a healthy environment? What ways can people get involved with these groups?

7.  What stores offer healthier food and products in your community?