Children and adults in communities of color and low-income communities face disproportionately high exposures to environmental hazards and, consequently, greater risk of experiencing adverse health impacts from these exposures. Almost two thirds of children under 6 with elevated blood lead levels are children of color living in disadvantaged communities. These children also have unusually high rates of asthma, low birth weight, and developmental disorders. West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. (WE ACT for Environmental Justice), New York City, a community-based environmental justice organization, has partnered with the Columbia University Center for Children's Environmental Health on several action-research initiatives, including the Healthy Homes Project. The project teaches integrated pest management to community residents and has influenced the passage of the New York City Council's mandate for safer pest control.