Arlene Blum is a biophysical chemist, mountaineer, and author of Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life, which tells stories of high adventure in the chemistry laboratory and the worlds’ toughest mountains. Blum is currently working to bridge the gap between scientific research and public policy to help create a healthier safer environment. She is the scientific advisor for California AB 706, legislation to reduce potentially toxic fire retardant chemicals in furniture and bed clothing in California. Her previous research contributed to the regulation of tris, cancer-causing flame-retardants used in children's sleepwear.

Blum’s first book, Annapurna: A Woman’s Place, is in Fortune magazine's list of “The 75 Smartest Business Books We Know” and chosen by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the 100 top adventure books of all time. Blum holds a doctorate in biophysical chemistry from U. C Berkeley, and has taught at Stanford University, Wellesley College, and U. C. Berkeley

www.arleneblum.com for more information or to send Arlene a message

Blog Entries by Arlene Blum

Killer Couch Chemicals

Posted August 16, 2007 | 03:38 PM (EST)


Outdated California regulations are leading to toxic fire retardant chemicals in furniture sold in California and distributed across the nation. Russell Long of Friends of the Earth, Mary Brune of Making Our Milk Safe (MOMS), biophysical chemist Arlene Blum, and Joan Blades of MomsRising.org, will share their adventures as they...

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Taking Action at 20,000 Feet

Posted August 30, 2006 | 06:14 PM (EST)


"The top! We made it!" The six of us cheered and hugged. We were the first team of women to reach the arctic summit of Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Many people believed that women lacked the physical strength and technical skill to climb the toughest mountains. Our...

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