Media Center

Contact our Public Affairs department at 202-667-6982 for more information.

WHAT: Facts about the Environmental Working Group

The mission of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. EWG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles. In 2002, we founded the EWG Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates on Capitol Hill for health-protective and subsidy-shifting policies.

Our two goals are to protect the most vulnerable segments of the human population-children, babies, and infants in the womb- from health problems attributed to a wide array of toxic contaminants. Second, we want to replace federal policies, including government subsidies that damage the environment and natural resources, with policies that invest in conservation and sustainable development.

WHO: Biographies and Contact Information

For journalists

Alex Formuzis, Director of Communications.
202-939-9140 or alex@ewg.org
Alex came to EWG after 8 years on Capitol Hill. Prior to his time in the Senate he worked in the Clinton administration. Alex was born and raised in the Northwest, and holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Montana.

Don Carr, Press Secretary.
202-939-9141 or don@ewg.org
Don comes to EWG from the Democratic National Committee where he served as a Communications Director in his home state of South Dakota. Previously, he worked in the SD state legislature and on former Senate Leader Tom Daschle's 2004 reelection campaign. Don enjoys fly- fishing, home-brewing, and searching for additional hyphenated pastimes.

For parents

Lisa Frack, Online Parent Organizer.
202-939-6982 x160 or lisa@ewg.org
Lisa connects with parents online to share EWG's research and activism opportunities on kid safe products, environmental health and toxics. She holds a BA in history from Princeton and a Masters in Public Policy from Duke. Lisa's two young children inspire her to make choosing safe products a simple task for even the busiest of parents.

HOW: EWG accomplishes much because we’re respected in the field

Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know. It shames and shakes up polluters and their lobbyists. It rattles politicians and shapes policy. It persuades bureaucracies to rethink science and strengthen regulation. It provides practical information you can use to protect your family and community. And because our investigations and interactive websites tend to make news, you've probably heard about them. Even if you've never heard of us. Which is fine. We'd rather you remember our work than our name.

WHY: EWG is well-respected in many fields

"An environmental group with clout."
- USA Today

"A green dream team of computer programmers, policy experts and engineers."
- Associated Press

"An environmental advocacy organization that has a knack for shaping government data into punchy calculations."
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Environmental Working Group has become a respected watchdog of environmental and land-use policies since its founding in 1993."
- The Hill