Maria Williams, editor, joined the staff of Toxipedia in August 2009. Maria develops, recruits, and edits content for the site and assists with overall site management. She also serves as managing editor of Healthy World Press and assists with research and editing projects for Toxipedia Web Development Services. 

Maria's background is in environmental education and advocacy. She was an environmental education specialist for King County's Household Hazardous Wastemobile, a beach naturalist volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium, and guest editor of Sound Consumer, the monthly newsletter of PCC Natural Markets.

Most recently, she spent five years at the Washington Toxics Coalition, a Seattle-based nonprofit working to eliminate toxic pollution. At WTC she coordinated the Toxics Hotline, wrote educational publications on toxic chemicals in consumer products, and conducted research and media outreach supporting the passage of state legislation, including the Children's Safe Products Act of 2008. She also managed WTC's Pesticide Free Zone project, which promotes the benefits of pesticide-free gardening throughout the state.

Maria holds a BA in environmental studies from Oberlin College and a professional editing certificate from UC Berkeley. In her spare time, she pursues her interests in writing, photography, and botany. Maria can be reached at mwilliams@toxipedia.org.

Content Developed by Maria

• Advocacy Organizations, global map and directory
• Biomonitoring
• Ethical Considerations: Electronic Waste (E-Waste), Meat Production and Environmental Health, Pesticide Use in Developing Nations
• Green Chemistry
• Toxic Chemicals in Household Products

Content Edited by Maria

• Chemical profiles, including Alcohol, Arsenic, Chlorinated Paraffins, Dioxin, Lead, Nicotine, Oil Dispersant, PCBs, Pesticides, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Triclosan

• Drug profiles, including Anthracyclines and Taxanes

• Other topics: Greenhouse Effect, Wildlife Effects of EDC (Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

• Particles on the Wall by Healthy World Press

• Pesticide profiles, including Atrazine, Bifenthrin, Carbaryl, Deltamethrin, Diazinon, Diquat Dibromide, Endosulfan, Hexachlorobenzene, Methyl Bromide, Mirex, Permethrin, Piperonyl Butoxide, Paraquat, 2,4,5-T, Tetramethrin, Trifluralin

Publications Written for External Sites

• Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, Pollution in People Study: Less-Toxic Product Choices
• Washington Toxics Coalition, FastFacts: Cosmetics and Personal Care Products, Disposal of Hazardous Household Products, Indoor Pests, Persistent Toxic Chemicals, PVC and Other Plastics, Top Actions to Protect Your Health, Weeds in the Lawn and Garden
• Washington Toxics Coalition, Safe Start for Kids
• World Library of Toxicology: Emerging Issues