Environmental Research Center, Inc. ("ERC") is a non-profit corporation organized under California's Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law, whose mission is to safeguard the public from health hazards that impact families, workers, and the environment.
ERC is dedicated to reducing the use and misuse of hazardous and toxic substances. On a mission to safeguard the public from health hazards that impact families, workers, and the environment, The Environmental Research Center was established in 2009 under the leadership of Executive Director, Chris Heptinstall. Environmental Research Center (ERC) advocates on behalf of the public by creating awareness to manufacturers concerning the hazardous substances present in their products.
It is not only the goal of ERC to create awareness for manufacturers but also to facilitate the appropriate changes to products in violation by reformulating or providing warning labels on product packaging to better assist consumers 'on the floor' in making more informed decisions. Through independent lab testing of meal replacement and dietary supplement products, ERC monitors many products on the market today. Although ERC focuses primarily on nutrition products in the form of capsules, tablets, and powders, concerned citizens are encouraged to contact us to inquire about any and all products they may have questions about.
Working to ensure that wellness products are free from harmful contaminants.
ERC focuses testing on products purchased and ingested on a daily basis, with a particular emphasis on the products used by California consumers, as we are evaluating products based on Proposition 65 which is a California standard. Some examples include:
Herbal products
Protein products
Diet/weight loss products
Energy products
Fitness/performance products
Superfood products
Colon cleanse/detox products
Health & wellness products
Meal replacement products
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Prevention is the goal but mitigation is vital. Click on either of the links below to apply for one of our scholarship programs.
These scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to high school seniors interested in environmental health sciences and the pursuit of a higher education.
These scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to high school seniors interested in environmental health sciences and the pursuit of a higher education.
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ERC focuses testing on products purchased and ingested on a daily basis, with a particular emphasis on the products used by California consumers, as we are evaluating products based on Proposition 65 which is a California standard.
We test products in the form of capsules, tablets, and powders. We also test meal replacement products such as bars and shakes. We even test energy drinks and hydration products.
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TSCA Reform
The Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) is a contemporary public policy issue under review because it is outdated. It is one of the few environmental policies from the 1970s not updated to reflect changes in technology and American principals. Though the many stakeholders in this issue cover a range of positions, most of them contend that reformation is necessary for effectiveness and efficiency. Among these many stakeholders, three prominent players are the American Chemistry Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition.
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ERC offers donations to other organizations whose projects and activities are in line with ERC’s mission statement regarding the reduction and/or elimination of hazardous and toxic chemicals. Understand that any donations received must be used for activities/projects within the State of California and you must provide a report detailing how the funds were used.
Please provide ERC with the following information:
Describe your organization
Problem statement: What problems, needs, or issues does it address?
Briefly describe your organization's history and major accomplishments.
Describe your current programs and activities
Describe your request
(If you are requesting general support, you may skip this bullet.) If other than general operating support, describe the program for which you seek funding, why you decided to pursue this project and whether it is a new or ongoing part of your organization.
What are the goals, objectives and activities/strategies involved in this request? What is your timeline?
If you are a grassroots group, describe your community. If you are a state, regional, or national organization, describe your work with local groups, if applicable, and how other regional and/or national organizations are involved.
Describe systemic or social change you are trying to achieve.
Organizational Structure/ Administration
Briefly describe how your organization works: What are the responsibilities of the board, staff, volunteers, and, if a membership organization, the members?
Who will be involved in carrying out the plans outlined in this request? Include a brief paragraph summarizing the qualifications of key individuals involved.
Provide a list of your board of directors with related community and employment affiliations.
Provide an organizational chart showing decision-making structure.
Finances
Organization's current annual operating budget.
Current project budget, if other than general support.
List individually other funding sources for this request. Include amounts and whether received, committed, or projected/pending.
Most recent completed year's organizational financial statement (expenses, revenue and balance sheet), audited, if available.
A copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) letter if applicable.
Other supporting material
Letters of support/commitment (up to three).
Recent newsletter, articles, newspaper clippings, evaluations, or reviews (up to three).
Recent annual report.
Describe your plan for evaluating the success of the project or for your organization's work. Who will be involved in evaluating this work-staff, board, constituents, community, consultants? How will the evaluation results be used?
PFAS Testing
Wellness Products
If you want to test a wellness product (protein power, vitamins, supplements, etc.) Fill out our product submission form and we will see if it's something we can test.
If your product is eligible for testing, this process usually take around 60 days.
Water Contamination
If you are interested in finding out if your tap water is contaminated, you have several options including:
Free Consultation with a Water Filtration Company
We’ve linked one such company here though there are many others. Like this one, they will come out and test the water in your home or business.
This map gives a more general overview of the known PFAS contamination sites in your area.
This map gives you a summary of all the known contaminants and their levels in your location by county.
Textiles and Other Goods
Though we don’t test inedible goods ourselves, we have worked with Mamvation, a great organization that does just that. Here is a direct link to their product investigations:
Lead Testing
Today's health-conscious society has witnessed a gradual increase in the production of consumable products that assist in achieving a healthier life. Unfortunately, testing the contents of these products sometimes reveals just the opposite. Some products in the marketplace today contain contaminated ingredients which, if consumed as directed, can cause harm to the person ingesting the product. Lead is one such chemical that is often found in these products.
ERC believes that the potential dangers lurking behind labels of so-called health enhancing products should be known prior to purchasing that product. ERC is dedicated to identifying products in the marketplace that contain potentially harmful amounts of lead and works hard to protect California consumers by locating the products, testing for contamination, and working with the companies directly to bring about change in the industry.
The old saying "You are what you eat" has never been more true than it is today. ERC seeks to help you know what you are eating before exposing yourself to products that might contain lead, a chemical known by the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm or birth defects. The purpose of the Got Lead? Program is to give consumers FREE access to test results of products that may be contaminated. To participate in the Got Lead? Program, simply fill out the form below and let us know the names of the products you are consuming. ERC will then confirm your online submission, analyze the products submitted, purchase and test the products if warranted, and provide you the results of our findings – All for FREE.
ERC focuses testing on products purchased and ingested on a daily basis, with a particular emphasis on the products used by California consumers, as we are evaluating products based on Proposition 65 which is a California standard.
Receive a Notice of Violation?
If you received a Notice of Violation (NOV) from Environmental Research Center, Inc. (ERC), then the product(s) listed on the NOV have been tested by an accredited laboratory and ERC contends your products are in violation of Proposition 65.
You can view your company’s Notice of Violation on the California Attorney Generals website.
ERC wants to work collaboratively with your company to efficiently reach a quick and effective resolution of this matter. It is important to us to ensure that your products are compliant with all applicable State law requirements.
Please call ERC’s Executive Director Chris Heptinstall at 619-500-3090 or email us.