Pollution

Wildfire Smoke Is Showing Up Everywhere. It Can Be Fatal

Wildfire’s immensely destructive power is not just about what it burns. The smoke from more frequent fires, too, has real potential to harm human health, the new Backgrounder explains, releasing particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and worse. Learn more about the hazards and historical perspective, along with what journalists should tell their communities can be done.

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Recreation in Polluted Water Can Be Threat to Human Health

A cool swim on a hot day is one of the quintessential pleasures of summer. That is, unless polluted water makes it — and any other aquatic contact — a high-risk activity. It’s an important environmental and public health story for journalists to tell. TipSheet helps review waterborne illnesses to watch for, regulations supposed to protect against them and local story ideas to pursue.

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U.S. Sends Lots of Plastic Trash Overseas. Malaysia Just Said No Thanks.

"On Tuesday, Malaysia, which received more discarded plastic from rich nations than any other developing country last year, effectively banned all shipments of plastic waste from the United States."

Source: NYTimes, 07/03/2025

"Despite Protests, Elon Musk Secures Air Permit for xAI"

"xAI’s gas turbines get official approval from Memphis, Tennessee, even as civil rights groups prepare to sue over alleged Clean Air Act violations."

Source: WIRED, 07/03/2025

"Methane-Tracking Satellite Is Lost, in a Blow to Climate Efforts"

"The spacecraft, MethaneSAT, was just a year into its mission to provide a clearer picture of planet-warming emissions from oil and gas sites." "For nearly two weeks, however, the mission’s controllers have been unable to get in contact with the satellite. It has lost power, they said, and most likely cannot be recovered."

Source: NYTimes, 07/03/2025

"As Nitrate Levels Soar In Iowa, New Research Underscores Risks For Babies"

"New research out of Iowa adds to a wide body of evidence showing that when pregnant women are exposed to nitrates in drinking water, it raises the risks of problematic birth outcomes, including low birth weights and pre-term birth."

Source: The New Lede, 07/02/2025

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