Robert C. Wingfield Jr., Ph. D., Fisk University
Reducing the Family’s Exposure to Toxic Substances
at Home, Work and Play  

September 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM

 View This Program on YouTube

Sierra Club has asked us to continue presenting programs virtually until is is safe for us to resume in-person events later this summer

Please watch for more about that on our website. We hope to all be together in just a few more weeks.

Over the last two decades the Fisk University Community Environmental Toxics Awareness and Sustainability Program has focused on protecting the environmental health of the more vulnerable populations within our community.

This presentation will demonstrate the connection of reducing exposure to toxic substances to the principles and years of efforts to address the needs of communities impacted by environmental injustice. It will also connect reducing toxic exposure to the important United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of clean water, clean energy and good health and well-being.  Reducing exposure to toxics connects with the U. S. Healthy People 2030 objective of “Promoting Healthier Environment to Improve Health”.

Our presentation will address routes of exposure to environmental toxics and discuss some of the more historical environmental toxics such as mercury, lead, and pesticides along with emerging toxics of interest such as PFAS(per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and waste pharmaceuticals. Because we spend a significant amount of time indoors, the quality of our indoor air is important. We will address steps to improve indoor air quality.,

The environmental toxic load resulting from the impacts of climate change such as the massive wildfires and raging toxic floods, cannot be ignored.

Important are the key steps in toxic use reduction in the workplace or community:

• Substitute non-toxic or less-toxic chemicals
• Replace hazardous chemicals with those that are less harmful in the design of a product or its packaging
• Change the process to reduce the toxic chemicals used.

We must remember that poor environmental quality has its greatest impact on people whose health is already at risk. Therefore, environmental health must address the societal and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of exposures and disease. All members of the community must have an opportunity to achieve their optimum health.

 Websites with more information recommended by Dr. Wingfield

Dr. Robert C. Wingfield Jr.is currently serving as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Fisk University. He is the Director of the Fisk Community Environmental Toxics Awareness and Sustainability Program, which is funded by NIEHS through the Midwest Consortium. He has had over twelve years industrial experience in chemical process and product development.

He is also a member of the Sierra Club Middle Tennessee Group Executive Committee.

Due to the increased number of COVID cases, this presentation will only be viewable via ZOOM.
A video of the program will be available on YouTube soon after the presentation.