Environmental Working Group (EWG)
We're advocates who won't quit. We're scientists that find solutions. We're people trying to make the safest choices for our health. At the Environmental Working Group, we believe that you should have easy access to the information you need to make smart, healthy choices - EWG
image by: Joe Shlabotnik
HWN Suggests
My food paranoia wake-up call: The EWG wants us to be afraid of the food we feed our kids -- here's why I refuse
The EWG is as revenue-minded and strategic as any for-profit corporation, which isn’t against the law so long as revenues are spent consistently with their mission. But what is the EWG’s mission? What is the value behind the brand and what do they really stand for? The EWG says its goal is to “empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.” But stoking fears -- particularly in vulnerable parents -- isn’t empowering. Spreading panic and paranoia isn’t empowering.
Featured
EWG and What It Means
Though criticized for scare-mongering, EWG does strive to educate on ingredient research and product safety with the intent to help consumers make informed and healthy purchasing choices.
EWG Healthy Living vs. Think Dirty (Shop Clean)
You’re probably wondering what the heck is EWG , (Environmental Working Group), and why do you need to know about it? THEN there’s Think Dirty as well — everyone loves an innuendo, amiright? EWG and Think Dirty (Shop Clean), are two popular online databases with thousands of products and their ingredients for you to check the toxicity ratings whenever you want.
Articles of Interest
Guide to Sunscreens
This year’s update for the first time includes a section detailing the widespread contamination of sunscreens, particularly sprays, with cancer-causing benzene. It’s another reminder of the need for stricter federal safety testing of all sunscreens.
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
The dirty dozen...
Skin Deep
Backed by science. Designed for you. Learn what’s really in your personal care products.
Tap Water Database
Since 2013, water utilities' testing has found pollutants in Americans' tap water, according to an EWG drinking water quality analysis of more than 31 million state water records.
A dozen reasons to ditch the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list for good
Every spring, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases their annual Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists. The EWG claims to be ranking fruits and vegetables based on the levels of pesticides from “dirtiest” to “cleanest,” but that’s not really the case. Despite their efforts to get consumers to purchase organic versions of the “dirtiest” fruits and vegetables on the list, consumers are becoming more and more aware of the fact that these lists don’t help, and in some cases can even be harmful.
Critics say EWG’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ list is inaccurate and harmful
EWG’s misleading information affects the health of low income families. Peer-reviewed research published in Nutrition Today shows messaging tactics that invoke safety concerns about non-organic produce may have a negative impact on consumption of fruits and veggies among low income consumers.
Dear EWG, This Is Why Real Scientists Think Poorly Of You
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) uses an authoritative sounding name to peddle scientific half-truths and outright fabrications. Along with Greenpeace and PETA, it is beloved by activists but detested by scientists.
Don’t Let That Viral Drinking Water Database Scare You
After watching water crises like the one in Flint, Michigan, I have no doubt that the US doesn't always protect the water we rely on. However, fear-mongering is not the way to make meaningful change.
Environmental Working Group and the Dirty Dozen
Surely the science perspective should advocate healthy eating and avoiding dangerous toxins. But as it happens, neither the Dirty Dozen, nor its parent EWG, have much to do with science. EWG is a political lobbying group for the organic industry, and virtually all of their press releases promote profoundly anti-scientific messages based on their co-founder and president's extreme chemophobia and Neo-Luddite ideology.
Has Environmental Working Group Gone to the Dark Side?
So, what’s up with EWG? Could it be that the respect that the green community has for EWG’s research has caused them to sell out their reputation to some high profile, anonymous contributors who seek to use this stellar reputation to manipulate consumer spending?
How the Environmental Working Group Sells Its Message Short
There are legitimate reasons to be concerned about a new herbicide created by Dow Chemical, but trying to scare parents into thinking their kids will be poisoned on the playground only distracts us from them.
Is EWG Skin Deep reliable?
While the EWG report gives you great insight into what goes into your products, you have to take it with a grain of salt.
Ken Cook of The Environmental Working Group...
When Ken Cook was an environmental lobbyist in the 70s and 80s, his goal was to create a better, healthier world through policy change. But along the way, he created an organization — the Environmental Working Group, of which he is CEO and founder — that completely shifted his focus. Today, his mission is still to build a better, healthier world and help people protect themselves from dangerous chemicals, but his method has changed.
Revenge of the chemistry nerds: P&G teams with health watchdog
EWG's growing clout has coincided with consumers' increasing appetite for products perceived as healthier and nature-based.
Should you trust these cosmetic safety ratings—or are they just fear-mongering?
The Environmental Working Group says it's working for you, but many industry chemists don't agree with its methods.
The EWG's Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen: Is it Really Reliable?
The EWG is an activist agency, not exactly known for being impartial. When they look for pesticides on produce, of course they’re going to find them; without pesticides, our food system – conventional and organic – would be in pretty bad shape. But the EWG leaves out some very important information: The Dirty Dozen tells us that pesticides were found on certain produce, some more than others. What it doesn’t tell us is which pesticides were found, how much of each pesticide was detected, and what the effects of those pesticides are at those levels.
The Problem with EWG Skin Deep
When learning about the complex issue of harmful ingredients in everyday products, it’s natural to want to lean on a tool or tools to help cut through the clutter in order to make sound purchasing decisions. But beware, as most come with bias and limitations. Perhaps the most widely used resource is the EWG Skin Deep Database, and this blog will shed light and understanding on its limitations.
The Sunscreen Ratings That Scare People Every Year Are Bullshit
When we head out in the sun, we just want a sunscreen that will protect our skin and not kill us. That’s not too much to ask, is it? But the Environmental Working Group (EWG) wants us to pick the best sunscreen, and nags us with true but not very useful facts: This one contains an ingredient that caused cancer in a mouse once. That one is labeled SPF 100 but is probably only like SPF 85. Back off, EWG, okay? In truth, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, and the differences between the different brands are not nearly as big as EWG wants you to believe. Yes, your sunscreen works. No, it won’t kill you.
Resources
3 reasons the EWG is dubious resource
The primary place that consumers (and beauty bloggers) find out about the EWG is through their online ingredient resource called the Skin Deep database. It’s an interesting concept and they’ve clearly put a lot of work into it. Unfortunately, it is full of misleading information & many things that are just wrong.
EWG
We're advocates who won't quit. We're scientists that find solutions. We're people trying to make the safest choices for our health. At the Environmental Working Group, we believe that you should have easy access to the information you need to make smart, healthy choices.
