Everybody Walk Across PA - Spring 2026 Week 4 Newsletter
Penn State Cancer Institute Tip of the Week
This week's tip comes from Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, Co-Principal Investigator for the Making Safer Choices Implementation Research Program and Associate Professor at the Penn State College of Medicine
Choose Safer Cleaning Products to Help Reduce Your Cancer Risk
Many everyday cleaning products contain chemicals that may increase your risk of certain types of cancer with repeated exposure (ACS 2024). One simple way to protect yourself and your family is to choose products with safer ingredients, and the good news is that it is becoming easier.
Look for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safer Choice when shopping for household or workplace cleaners. According to the EPA, this federal program has reviewed and certified over 2,000 products, including all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergents, dish soaps, and car care products, that use safer chemical ingredients. EPA scientists review every ingredient in a certified product, not just the active ones, to ensure they meet strict safety standards for human health and the environment. That means fewer hazardous chemicals that could pose risks to adults, children, and pets.
Certified products are also tested to confirm they clean as well as, or better than, non-certified products. Choosing safer doesn't mean choosing less effective.
Next time you're in the cleaning aisle, take a moment to read the label. The Safer Choice label makes it easy to identify products that meet rigorous safety criteria. Small, informed choices like this one can add up over a lifetime to meaningfully lower your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Looking for safer cleaning products? Search over 2,000 products that meet the Safer Choice Standard.
References:
American Cancer Society. (2024). Known and probable human carcinogens.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Search Products that Meet the Safer Choice Standard lists 2,060 products manufactured by 326 companies. Last updated March 10, 2026.
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Master Gardener Tip: Making Compost
This time of year, there's lots of garden debris, from grass clippings to young weeds and tree and shrub clippings. A compost pile is a place to create a great soil amendment from things you may normally put in the trash.Â
A 3-foot-by-3-foot area is all you need to create a compost pile. Use wire to keep it contained, or make a bin using pallets. Add yard debris and kitchen scraps, such as vegetables and eggshells (no meat or oils). Layer the ingredients on the pile, turn it with a pitchfork once every week or so, and watch it decompose. By fall, this pile of yard and kitchen debris will be compost for your garden! For more information on making your own compost, read the article Home Composting: A Guide for Home Gardeners Â
Recipe of the Week
Spinach Skillet Try this dish on its own or as a healthy and tasty side dish served alongside lean beef, chicken, fish, or pork.
Resource Highlights
Walk by Faith - This program is designed for people interested in implementing and/or leading a healthy eating and physical activity program within their organization. Once trained, Walk by Faith leaders will be better prepared to help participants maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of cancer.
Journey to a Healthier Heart - Introducing major changes into our daily lives can be challenging. Choosing a heart-healthy lifestyle is like setting off on a journey: It requires a step-by-step approach.
Upcoming Events
Let's Cook at Home: Charcuterie Boards - Learn how to make a charcuterie board for a fun meal or appetizer with friends and family.
Let's Cook at Home: Mediterranean - Take a tasty trip to the Mediterranean in this virtual cooking class! Watch and learn as we prepare an authentic Mediterranean meal.
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia - Learn during this webinar the basics of Alzheimer's and dementia.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Learn during this informative virtual event to recognize the common signs of Alzheimer's Disease.
Plants in the Park: - Explore common forest plants on a guided walk with a forestry extension educator. Learn basic identification skills, observe key features, and connect with nature on an easy, scenic trail.
