Chemicals

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A year after a toxic leak contaminated drinking water for 300,000 residents, West Virginia lawmakers are considering a series of proposals that would weaken a new chemical tank safety law, remove stronger pollution protections for streams across the state, and protect the coal industry from enforcement actions over violations of water quality standards."

"HOUSTON -- It was DuPont's third deadly U.S. accident in five years and the deadliest of them all. On November 15th, a chemical leak in LaPorte took the lives of four workers, including two brothers."

"Thousands of chemical storage tanks across West Virginia would be exempt from the law passed in the wake of the Freedom Industries spill, under legislation introduced Tuesday in the House of Delegates."

Since taking office, the Obama administration has vowed to restore science as the basis for health findings on the toxic chemicals in commerce. But politics -- based on strong lobbying and finagling by the chemical industry -- seems to have thwarted the administration's declared intentions. "In the past three years, the EPA has assessed fewer chemicals than ever. Last year, it completed only one assessment. Today, the agency has even embraced measures sought by the chemical industry that have led to endless delays."

"Vapor produced by electronic cigarettes can contain a surprisingly high concentration of formaldehyde — a known carcinogen — researchers reported Wednesday."

"Specialty crop farmers were at the [Iowa] capitol today complaining of damage to their produce from pesticide drift."

"If you’re in the market for a paint remover and head to your local hardware store, most of the products you’re likely to find will contain methylene chloride."

"The Freedom spill endangered 300,000 locals; now, a replacement company – run by many of the same people – faces eight environmental citations"

"Researchers have found that pharmaceuticals and personal-care byproducts persist at low levels miles from sewage discharge pipes in Lake Michigan. And a study from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee shows that the most prevalent drug in the lake — the Type 2 diabetes medication Metformin — changes the hormonal system of fish exposed to it."