Consumers are exposed to a variety of environmental chemicals including carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and endocrine disrupting chemicals from everyday use of common household and personal care products. Evidence supports concern that exposures to low doses or the combination of low doses of chemicals can pose a health risk for the general population as well as for vulnerable populations. Gaps exist in translating this information to the public and helping people understand the health effects related to chemical exposures and personal actions they could take to reduce exposures.

There are 2.6 million nurses in the U.S. who have direct access to numerous patient populations. Educating and utilizing nurses as a conduit for information-sharing related to environmental health issues could fill the gap, influence health outcomes, and contribute to sustainable communities.

A Speaker’s Bureau was constructed under the Central Mass Health Literacy Project to facilitate community access to health literacy topics. The Green Nursing Project is an initiative to educate hundreds of nurses about Environmental Health Literacy topics and Inspire them to take Personal and Professional Action. The Green Nursing Project includes Hands-on Interactive Workshops to introduce participants to chemicals in consumer products, adverse health effects, and risk reduction strategies.