Chemists Without Borders

Access to clean water and quality education are critical humanitarian issues, especially for rural populations, and essential for achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Chemists Without Borders addresses these interconnected challenges through science and community engagement. Globally, water insecurity is a pressing crisis. By 2030, 2 billion people may lack safely managed drinking water, and 3.6 million deaths annually, including 2.2 million children under five, will be linked to contaminated water. Climate change further exacerbates these issues. Enhancing rural education is vital for sustainability and resilience. Rural children are significantly less likely to finish secondary school due to inadequate facilities and economic pressures, affecting 251 million out-of-school children globally. As climate change and evolving humanitarian challenges strain resources, collaboration between science and humanitarian efforts is crucial. With 117 million people forcibly displaced, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, the need for sustainable solutions is urgent. Chemists Without Borders empowers rural communities by applying scientific methods, evidence-based practices, and effective water management. By focusing on access to clean water and enhancing rural education, we can create sustainable, equitable solutions that empower communities and improve overall well-being. To learn more, read our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/g_BE3M9B

Chemists Without Borders celebrates innovations that allow greater access to clean water. Our volunteers work to ensure the communities we work with have access to safe water. #CWB #CleanWater #ChemistsWithoutBorders

Science in service to humanity. Chemists Without Borders is announcing the beginning of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): https://givecfc.org/ Our mission is to use science to improve the quality of life in communities most in need. We achieve our mission through service, education, innovation, and community empowerment. If your organization participates in the CFC, we encourage you to donate to our efforts.? Science addressing humanitarian challenges is a formidable approach, driving results and delivering sustainable solutions. ?hashtag#chemistswithoutborders hashtag#CFC hashtag#GiveBack?

At CWB, we care about people having safe water. Recent research shows that contaminated water can leave nanoplastics in our bodies. #CWB #SafeWater #Nanoplastics

Global water insecurity is a pressing issue affecting an estimated 4.4 billion people across 135 low—and middle-income countries, highlighting the urgent need for action to ensure safe drinking water for all. The latest study emphasizes the impact of fecal contamination on water safety, providing valuable insights for policymakers striving to enhance water delivery services. Ensuring access to safe drinking water goes beyond infrastructure development. According to the United Nations' Human Rights to Water and Sanitation resolution, water services must meet specific criteria, including availability, accessibility, and freedom from contaminants like Escherichia coli and hazardous chemicals such as lead and arsenic. Achieving these goals is particularly challenging in rural areas of Africa and Asia, where maintaining safe, on-premises water services is complex and costly. At Chemists Without Borders, we employed innovative solutions to dramatically reduce the high Arsenic levels in the water at a school in Bangladesh serving over 1500 people. In collaboration with Rotary International, we built a new sanitation facility, water filtration system, water storage, and improved access to clean water. Our Safe Water Initiative (SWI) is scientifically based and locally engaged. This project serves as a blueprint for similar improvements in Bangladesh and elsewhere. We understand the detrimental effects of contaminated water, soil, and air on public health. Committed to innovative solutions and community-driven approaches, we strive to mitigate the impact of contaminants through science and a shared dedication to social good. Together, we believe in the power of science and unwavering determination to create a positive impact.

We have got to do better than this! As many schools around the country open this week to students, we must find ways to tackle this problem. As the article points out, "many school buildings have aging infrastructure that is more likely to leach lead into the water. And children are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead poisoning. But despite an increased awareness of the danger posed by lead in water, there is no national mandate that requires testing drinking water in schools and child-care facilities.?As of 2021, a report found that only 18 states?and the District of Columbia had some kind of requirement for school testing." "Long-term lead consumption can have?debilitating and lifelong effects?on?children, including brain and nervous system damage; slow development; and hearing, speech and behavior issues,?according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead exposure also poses risks during pregnancy?because the highly toxic contaminant can pass from mother to fetus, seeping into the placenta and the fetus's growing bones and teeth, permanently affecting development." While a federal mandate is important, why can't we solve this at the local level? Why can't we stop the bickering over books and curriculums and, instead, collectively address aging infrastructure so the kids have a safe place to learn? At Chemists Without Borders, we know all too well the impact of contaminated water, soil, and air on the health of populations. We are an all-volunteer team of chemists and affiliated scientists committed to innovative solutions and community-informed approaches to reducing the negative impact of contaminants. Science, plus the determination to do good, is an unstoppable combination. hashtag #chemistswithoutborders

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was created to protect the public by assessing health risks at America’s most polluted sites. A?Reuters investigation?found it regularly downplays and disregards neighbors’ health concerns in reports that employ practices its own review board has called “virtually useless” and “not very good.” In 68% of its findings, it declared communities safe from hazards or did not make any determination at all, a Reuters review of hundreds of agency reports shows. Reuters found at least 20 instances in which the agency dismissed health concerns that other government research or the ATSDR itself later identified as hazards. That’s a small number of errors, considering the agency publishes hundreds of reports, said Patrick Breysse, who led the agency from 2014 until 2022. Yet the errors can have devastating effects. Under the ATSDR’s watch, children were exposed to toxic levels of lead and up to 1 million military service members and their families were denied medical compensation for about two decades after drinking toxic water. At Chemists Without Borders, we know all too well the impact of contaminated water, soil, and air on the health of populations. We are an all-volunteer team of chemists and affiliated scientists committed to innovative solutions and community-informed approaches to reducing the negative impact of contaminants. Science, plus the determination to do good, is an unstoppable combination. https://lnkd.in/gjp46XxW

Chemists Without Borders is thrilled to announce our involvement in the Combined Federal Campaign this year! Federal employees and retirees, be sure to find us on the CFC charity list. Pledging kicks off in September. Explore more about our participation at GiveCFC.org hashtag #ChemistsWithoutBorders hashtag #CFC hashtag #GiveBack

ANNOUNCEMENT ? I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ramin Sedehi as the new President and CEO of Chemists Without Borders. Ramin’s impressive qualifications and extensive experience in the humanitarian field make him the ideal leader to guide our organization to new heights. ? Ramin joined Chemists Without Borders in 2022 as the Vice President of Strategic Planning. In this role, he developed a comprehensive strategy that has been instrumental in our organization's growth. Over the past three months, Ramin has served as the Interim President and CEO, demonstrating unwavering dedication to our mission. His ability to foster strong professional relationships and earn the respect of our senior team leaders underscores his exceptional leadership and vision. ? Please join the board members and me in congratulating Ramin Sedehi on his new role as President and CEO of Chemists Without Borders. We wish him every success as he leads the organization to new heights and continues to enhance our reputation as a trusted international humanitarian organization. ? Achal Garg, Ph.D. Chairman- Board of Directors ?

This technology offers a lot of promise, as it is designed to be used with existing plants. Chemists Without Borders seeks solutions to humanitarian issues, including climate change.