Our children are our future, and for this reason, the Environmental Center works to ensure children have the healthiest life possible. So much remains to be done. Through dedicated commitment, expert research, education and practical solutions, we are convinced it can be achieved. We are certain one day we will be able to identify, substantiate, rank, and ultimately eradicate the major environmental risks our children are exposed to.
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology® at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) represents one of the first hospital-based programs whose specific mission is to identify, control and ultimately prevent exposures to environmental factors that may cause adult, and especially pediatric cancer, as well as other health problems with our children.
The Environmental Center is part of HUMC, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation where the award-winning Greening the Cleaning® program originated (see below).
Through cooperation with other organizations, government agencies, legislators and scientists, we are convinced we can do more by finding innovative methods of detection, diagnosis, treatment, and especially prevention of cancers and other diseases in children.
--Everyone has a role to play in prevention. Toxins exist in homes, schools* and workplaces, so each of us has an obligation to help identify and eliminate them. (See Greening Your Life.) "Disease prevention" is the new standard in healthcare; so we each must take responsibility to maintain our health through exercise, and proper food choices. (Learn more about diet and prevention.)
*See Greening Your School for the Center's new school info pack, available for download.
The Greening the Cleaning® Program
Leading by example, the Environmental Center’s award-winning Greening the Cleaning® program eliminates, to the greatest extent possible, all cleaning agents containing hazardous ingredients and replaces them with naturally derived ingredients with the least level of toxicity. Since its inception in 2001, the program has been implemented by healthcare facilities, government authorities, businesses and schools.
One hundred percent of all profits from the institutional products go to the Center for supporting education and research to identify, control and ultimately prevent exposures to environmental factors that may cause adult, and especially pediatric cancer, as well as other health problems with our children. On the retail line, 100 percent of all profits go to the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer.
It's easy to switch, and purchases go to a good cause. But it's the message that's most important. Greening the Cleaning® increases your awareness about your environment, and when you start greening one thing, it leads to another and another.
Research and Education
As part of one of the nation's premiere research and teaching institutions, the Environmental Center supports HUMC's commitment to research and education.
Deirdre Imus, a national leader on children's health and the environment, focuses attention on the issues -- in the media, in Washington, at public forums, and at national conventions. She recently co-authored a paper in the journal Explore with the Center's medical Adviser Dr. Lawrence Rosen. For an overview, see "Environmental Injustice: Children's Health Disparities and the Role of the Environment."
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center is spearheading a task force investigating a potential autism cluster at a Northvale, NJ, school. New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the country, 1 in 94, vs. 1 in 150 children nationally (CDC report).
In May 2007, Deirdre Imus was awarded the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society for her contributions to conservation, and was named a “Champion for Autism” by The Autism Education Foundation of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission in New Jersey. In addition, Pace University bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. (For more on autism and ASDs, see our Autism Introduction.)
The Center compiles research and information on a variety of environmental hazards and health topics. For more see our Research Index and Environmental Hazard Index.
Simple Steps You Can Take to Reduce Environmental Exposures to Toxins
Replace traditional cleaning chemicals with Greening the Cleaning® products, based on natural ingredients.
Replace traditional lawn and garden pesticides with natural alternatives.
Avoid pesticide residues on food by buying organic produce.
Buy cosmetics and toiletries based on natural ingredients.
Maintain a healthy, whole-food, organic diet whenever possible.
Avoid fish contaminated with mercury and PCB's.
For more, see Greening Your Home.
Children's Health LegislationAs part of our mission, we educate the public and legislators about ways to create a healthier, cleaner and “greener” environment, indoors and out.
We actively work with Congress in Washington, D.C., to garner support for research, treatment and funding of legislative initiatives related to children’s health. Among those are: The Combating Autism Act (signed into law in 2006), the National Children's Study (underway with new funding), The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007 (HR 1533), and The Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act of 2007 (HR 2832).
Efforts by Deirdre Imus and the Environmental Center have helped usher in “Green Cleaning” Executive Orders from governors in three states -- New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as related legislation.
For more on pending legislation we track, see Important Legislation.
Building Green
A better environment begins from the ground up. The Environmental Center has advised hundreds of organizations including hospitals, schools, government agencies and major corporations on "green" materials and "sustainable" practices. The Environmental Protection Agency recognized the Environmental Center’s “greening” efforts with a regional Quality Award in 2006.
The Environmental Center advised HUMC on environmental materials and processes that are contributing to superior indoor air quality at the medical center’s new Sarkis & Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, one of the first environmentally-responsible “green” hospitals in the country.
For more see Pavilion Overview and Green Building Resources.
Updated 9/24/09