ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH personal care products , toys ), through a process known as “ retailer redlining ,” has resulted in certain communities disproportionately being exposed to certain contaminants in consumer products from discount retailers .

All experts agreed that partnerships are key to ensuring community participation . Ornelas Van Horne stressed “ nothing about us , without us ,” encouraging state public health laboratory scientists to consider meaningful engagement of the community in the design of any studies . Seemingly simple details , like providing outreach material in the spoken languages of the communities sought to engage , are often overlooked . Erdei described how study procedures should be “ flexible ” as to accommodate specimen collection from people of all abilities , including those with mental , sensory or physical disabilities . She also emphasized that some communities may consider the matrix of choice to achieve study goals ( e . g ., blood , urine , hair , nails ) as sacred and that matrix selection should be considered in the study design .

The NBN Steering Committee recognizes the inequitable burden of exposure among low-income , minority , tribal and indigenous communities . This session and the suggestions from its panelists provide examples for incorporating environmental justice into all aspects of biomonitoring programs , from study design to results communication , a worthy goal for the future of the NBN . n

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race , color , national origin or income , with respect to the development , implementation and enforcement of environmental laws , regulations and policies .

( Source : https :// www . epa . gov / sites / default / files / 2021-01 / documents / 2020 _ ej _ reportfinal-web-v4 . pdf )

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the CDC .

October 16 – 20 Tacoma , WA