WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The public interest nonprofit Improving Kids’ Environment, or IKE, announced its merger today with the Hoosier Environmental Council. IKE’s mission for two decades has been to reduce toxic risks to children from lead, particulate matter, pesticides, and household chemicals. The nonprofit Hoosier Environmental Council has spent 36 years working in environmental education and advocacy. The public interest groups see the merger as a perfect pairing that will broaden the impact of each, on children’s health. According to Jesse Kharbanda, Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana is the 6th highest emitter of toxins in the country. Dr. Indra Frank, the Council’s Environmental Health Director, says the two organizations are joining forces to focus on three specific Children’s health initiatives:
1. Advancing efforts to reduce lead poisoning
2. Fighting bacterial pollution in drinking water and recreational waters
3. Building on IKE’s online portal for families, educators and health professionals
Kharbanda says the merger will also help the Hosier Environmental Council in coalition building, and more broadly accessing research.
