The Vida Verde Women’s Co-Op: Brazilian Immigrants Organizing to Promote Environmental and Social Justice

Details

• Personal Author:
  Chianelli M ; Galvão H ; Goldberg JS ; Gute, David M. ; Pirie A ; Siqueira E
• Description:
  We reviewed the key steps in the launch of the Vida Verde Women's Co-Op among Brazilian immigrant housecleaners in Somerville, MA. The co-op provides green housecleaning products, encourages healthy work practices, and promotes a sense of community among its members. We conducted in-depth interviews with 8 of the first co-op members, who reported a reduction in symptoms associated with the use of traditional cleaning agents and a new sense of mutual support. Critical to the co-op's success have been the supportive roles of its academic partners (Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell), effective media outreach, and a focus on advancing social justice. Next steps include implementing a formal business plan and assessing the appropriateness of cooperatives in other industries. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Chemistry Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Staff Development Women Workplace
• Keywords:
  Chemical-properties Exposure-levels Exposure-methods Occupational-exposure Occupational-health Organic-chemicals Sociological-factors Standards Training Work-environment Worker-health Workplace-studies

  More +
• ISSN:
  0090-0036
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  99
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20036281
• Citation:
  Am J Public Health 2009 Nov; 99(S3):S495-S498
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr David M. Gute, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155
• Email:
  david.gute@tufts.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2010
• Performing Organization:
  Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050801
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Public Health
• End Date:
  20100731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b4624e007c7ef14867b7b44061df7b5da5713a452fe7a935af279ed4b4bb68ddc84418acfb47a179f1b99c4a4db5b4597b2c565830b6066fa0e302b1bacbc960
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/187765/cdc_187765_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.42 MB ]