idealist.org

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a
not-for-profit environmental research
organization that uses the power of
information to improve public health and
protect the environment by reducing pollution
in air, water and food.

Based in Washington, D.C., and with an office
in Oakland, California, EWG conducts
groundbreaking, computer-assisted research
on a variety of environmental issues. Recent
EWG research topics have included pesticides
in foods, air, and water; the cutback in energy
conservation programs by California utilities;
and toxic substances in beauty products.

The goal of EWG’s research is to turn raw data
into usable information. Our researchers
unearth large databases from state and federal
government agencies and other sources. Then,
using their considerable computer hardware,
software, and database management
expertise, EWG analysts sift through the
databases to discover the relevant information
and newsworthy stories that are buried within
the mountains of data.

EWG supplements its database research and
analysis with carefully targeted monitoring of
chemical contaminants in food, air and water.

EWG reports and publications have been the
subject of literally thousands of news
accounts, and have been covered by virtually
every major media outlet in the country,
including The New York Times, The
Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and
major network news shows.