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EPA Vows Investigation of Flame Retardants, Which Tribune Investigated

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday announced it will conduct a broad investigation of flame retardants that a Tribune series identified as examples of the government's failure to protect Americans from toxic chemicals. Meanwhile, the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission urged lawmakers to grant special authority that could speed the removal of hazardous flame retardants from new upholstered furniture, including sofas that can contain up to 2 pounds of the chemicals in their foam cushions."

Source: Chicago Tribune, 07/18/2012

"FDA Bans BPA In Baby Bottles, Cups"

"From now on, U.S. manufacturers may no longer produce polycarbonate baby bottles and sippy cups (for toddlers) if the clear plastic had been manufactured from bisphenol A, a hormone-mimicking compound. Long-awaited, the announcement is anything but a bold gesture. The Obama administration decided to lock this barn door after the cow had died."

Source: Science News, 07/18/2012

"White Dental Fillings May Impair Kids' Behavior"

"A resin in the most commonly used white composite dental fillings may be linked to subtle neuropsychological deficits in children."

Source: Science News, 07/17/2012

Phthalates in Nail Polish, Hair Sprays Tied To Diabetes Risk in Women

"Chemicals commonly found in beauty products such as nail polishes, hair sprays and perfumes may increase risk of diabetes for some women, new research suggests."

Source: CBS News, 07/17/2012

"Fire Is Out, Norfolk Southern Begins Cleanup"

"Federal investigators seeking the cause of a North Side train derailment are taking a close look at the tracks, after early scrutiny of the crew's actions and the train itself revealed no glaring problems."

Source: Columbus Dispatch, 07/13/2012

"EPA, CDC Officials Testify To Senate on Child Lead Poisoning"

"WASHINGTON -- A U.S. senator questioned federal environmental health officials at a hearing Thursday about what is being done to address lead poisoning risks posed by contaminated soil around hundreds of old lead factory sites featured in a recent USA TODAY investigation."

Source: USA TODAY, 07/13/2012

West Nile v. Pesticides: Sick Neighbors Face Off on Mosquito Spraying

A Colorado family typifies a growing number of Americans whose health may be put at risk by the drift of pesticides from their neighbors' fogging activities. But neighbors doing the fogging say they, too, are acting to protect their health. A judge ruled this month that pesticide drift can be a form of trespass.

Source: Huffington Post, 07/12/2012

"Changes in Chemical Safety Law Getting Bipartisan Support"

"The first signs of bipartisan support for overhauling the nation's chemical safety law emerged Monday, as three Republicans joined 23 other senators calling for tough restrictions on toxic flame retardants."

Source: Chicago Tribune, 07/10/2012

Action Urged On Maine DEP List of 49 Chemicals Dangerous To Children

"AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has published a list of 49 chemicals whose everyday use it deems dangerous to the health of Maine children, but an environmental policy group is urging stronger action."

Source: Bangor Daily News, 07/06/2012

Why Is it So Hard to Find Safer Alternatives for Hazardous Chemicals?

"The discovery of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic flame-retardant chemicals everywhere from animals north of the Arctic Circle to the breast milk of California women has been a cause for considerable concern. Alternative flame retardants were introduced to replace these chemicals, but investigators had not even produced the first empirical data on the substitutes’ metabolic fate and toxicity before emerging evidence indicated they, like their predecessors, were accumulating rapidly in the environment. As the postmarket research continues, one wonders: Who, exactly, decides on the replacements for toxic chemicals, and on the basis of what criteria? And why does finding truly safer alternatives seem so difficult?"

Source: EHP, 07/03/2012

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