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Week Starting June 4, 2012
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6/10/12
Oil firms behind the controversial exploitation of Canada’s wilderness. It is “Tarmageddon” – the devastation wreaked in what used to be a vast Canadian forest by the search for tar sand. And there, deep below the forest floor, is the third-largest oil field in the world: 173 billion barrels of recoverable oil. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
Fire Retardants in food. Fire retardant chemicals are commonly found in household items like furniture and electronics. But a new study found them in a place you probably wouldn’t expect: food. Living On Earth
Storm surge could cost U.S. hundreds of billions. A new analysis highlights the enormous exposure the U.S. has to storm surge-related impacts, which is one of the most significant hazards posed by a land-falling hurricane. Climate Central
Turning saltwater from earth and sea into water fit to drink. The continuing drought has made desalination a buzzword in water discussions around Texas, amid the scramble for new water supplies to accommodate the rapid population and industry growth anticipated in Texas. Texas Tribune, Texas.
Water war reignites as L.A. resists fixing some Owens Lake dust. Los Angeles and the Owens Valley are at war over water again, with the city trying to rework a historic agreement aimed at stopping massive dust storms that have besieged the eastern Sierra Nevada since L.A. opened an aqueduct 99 years ago that drained Owens Lake. Los Angeles Times [Registration Required]
Type 1 diabetes rate rises among U.S. youth. In the first major national analysis of diabetes trends among American youth, researchers Saturday reported an alarming 23% rise in type 1 diabetes incidence over an eight-year period ending in 2009. The surprising increase comes amid similar growth of type 2 diabetes in children. Wall Street Journal [Subscription Required]
The deadly legacy of America’s fields of gold. Richard Nixon is remembered for his infamous part in the Watergate scandal, but his lasting legacy may be a burgeoning army of people in the West who are too fat. The Independent, United Kingdom.
6/9/12
Sept. 11 health fund given clearance to cover cancer. A federal health official’s ruling has cleared the way for 50 different types of cancer to be added to the list of sicknesses covered by a $4.3 billion fund set up to compensate and treat people exposed to the toxic smoke, dust and fumes in the months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. New York Times [Registration Required]
Federal agencies probe Marcellus Shale gas drilling site. Federal health and environmental agencies are investigating whether Range Resources Inc.‘s Yeager Marcellus Shale gas drilling site in Washington County caused toxic air and groundwater pollution that damaged the health of nearby residents. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania.
Lobbying heats up ahead of Senate mercury vote. Lobbying efforts are heating up ahead of next week’s likely Senate vote on a resolution that would kill U.S. EPA’s mercury and air toxics rule for power plants. Proponents of Sen. James Inhofe’s (R-Okla.) resolution of disapproval, which is expected to come to the floor by June 18, are helping wrangle the 51 votes needed for Senate passage under the Congressional Review Act. E&E Daily
House committee adopts bill banning EPA, Corps from issuing water act guidance. The House Transportation Committee adopts bill to prohibit EPA and Army Corps from finalizing guidance clarifying Clean Water Act jurisdiction and from using that document to issue rules or decisions. Bloomberg BNA
Beekeepers blame pesticides for bee deaths. Times have been tough for beekeepers and it’s been no exception for David Schuit. The Ontario apiarist was getting used to losing some bees each year, but he never imagined he’d witness the devastation of May 24 - an inch-and-a-half thick of dead honeybees covering some three feet of lawn in front of each of the hives in his home yard. Toronto Sun, Ontario.
Glacial lakes disappearing in Chile. Four years ago, the Baker River in Aysén Patagonia suddenly tripled in size, causing a virtual tsunami. Roads, bridges and farms were severely damaged and dozens of livestock drowned. The source of the flood turned out to be a lake in the Northern Patagonian Ice Field that had vanished in a matter of hours. Santiago Times, Chile.
6/8/12
Opinion: FDA’s decision on BPA exposes Catch 22. The FDA’s decision to reject a petition to ban bisphenol A in food packaging exposes a serious Catch 22 in the federal mindset. Environmental Health News
City kids more likely to have food allergies, study says. Children in urban areas have a higher incidence of food allergies than those in rural America, according to a new study believed to be the first to assess allergic reactions in kids based on geography. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.
Imagine a pollution monitor that checks your vital signs. “A bus just passed by. I think I have a headache.” This is the sort of inane information that “Tweeters” rush to share with the rest of the indifferent world. But when collected and compiled, it can be crucial to fully understand the links between air pollution and public health. New York Times [Registration Required]
Honeybee virus: Varroa mite spreads lethal disease. A parasitic mite has helped a virus wipe out billions of honeybees throughout the globe, say scientists. A team studying honeybees in Hawaii found that the Varroa mite helped spread a particularly nasty strain of a disease called deformed wing virus. BBC
Climate change boosts under ice life. Under-the-ice phytoplankton blooms invisible to satellites may be on the rise as a result of global climate change, pushing the Arctic’s most productive season to earlier in the year. Science [Subscription Required]
EPA sued over wildlife exposure to lead from spent ammunition. Environmental groups filed suit on Thursday seeking U.S. federal regulation of lead in ammunition, claiming exposure to the toxic metal from spent bullets fired into the environment by hunters kills millions of birds and poses a risk to human health. Reuters
Request for information on exposure limits on track, White House says. As part of its retrospective analysis of existing regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will issue a request for information on updating its chemical exposure standards in August, the White House announced in a recent update. Bloomberg BNA
6/7/12
A new approach to making the natural malaria drug artemisin will increase supply and avoid the chemical steps now used to extract the drug from plants. The drug is meant to replace medicines that no longer control the malaria parasite spread by mosquitoes.
Stress + pollution = health risks for low-income kids. It’s long been known that children in poorer neighborhoods like one in Worcester, Mass., are more likely to be exposed to lead, industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and other contaminants. Now, scientists are beginning to suspect that these low-income children aren’t just more exposed – they actually may be more biologically susceptible to pollutants, even at low levels. Environmental Health News
Flame retardant found to cause health effects at small doses, pilot study finds. Small doses of a flame retardant commonly added to furniture and baby products can trigger obesity, anxiety and developmental problems, according to the first independent study of a chemical promoted as safe by industry and government officials. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.
Legionnaires’ disease outbreak: Man dies and 30 left fighting for survival in Edinburgh. A cloud of vapour rising from cooling towers has been blamed for a massive outbreak of the deadly Legionnaires’ disease tearing through Edinburgh. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
Expert: Climate change will increasingly become global health issue. New research finds that climate change could alter “patterns of physical activity and food availability, and in some cases bring direct physical harm.” Slight temperature increases could also change disease distribution in colder regions and make hotter regions less hospitable to humans. US News & World Report
Do plastic bags bans help the environment? Many cities are imposing fees and bans on plastic shopping bags. Advocates argue these measures help the environment. But others say these measures are ineffective, and hurt the urban poor. National Public Radio
California voters split on tax targeted by Big Tobacco. A high-profile California cigarette tax initiative backed by cycling legend Lance Armstrong that once seemed like a sure thing teetered on the brink of defeat Wednesday, a testament to the efficacy of a $50 million campaign backed by Big Tobacco. Associated Press
6/6/12
Stress + pollution = health risks for low-income kids. It’s long been known that children in poorer neighborhoods like one in Worcester, Mass., are more likely to be exposed to lead, industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and other contaminants. Now, scientists are beginning to suspect that these low-income children aren’t just more exposed – they actually may be more biologically susceptible to pollutants, even at low levels. Environmental Health News
Flame retardant found to cause health effects at small doses, pilot study finds. Small doses of a flame retardant commonly added to furniture and baby products can trigger obesity, anxiety and developmental problems, according to the first independent study of a chemical promoted as safe by industry and government officials. Chicago Tribune, Illinois.
Legionnaires’ disease outbreak: Man dies and 30 left fighting for survival in Edinburgh. A cloud of vapour rising from cooling towers has been blamed for a massive outbreak of the deadly Legionnaires’ disease tearing through Edinburgh. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom.
Indian steelmakers breach green rules. Indian steel companies are getting away with causing grave damage to the environment. They are not even adhering to the country’s already lax environmental laws – despite using large amounts of minerals, water and electricity, according to a report recently released by the Centre for Science and Environment. Wall Street Journal [Subscription Required]
Record New Mexico blaze behaving differently from last year’s fires. The Gila blaze - known as the Whitewater-Baldy fire - is behaving much differently from last year’s huge Las Conchas wildfire, officials say. The current fire has burned through more than 255,000 acres in the Gila National Forest, eclipsing last summer’s Las Conchas fire as the largest blaze in New Mexico history. Greenwire
Expert: Climate change will increasingly become global health issue. New research finds that climate change could alter “patterns of physical activity and food availability, and in some cases bring direct physical harm.” Slight temperature increases could also change disease distribution in colder regions and make hotter regions less hospitable to humans. US News & World Report
Do plastic bags bans help the environment? Many cities are imposing fees and bans on plastic shopping bags. Advocates argue these measures help the environment. But others say these measures are ineffective, and hurt the urban poor. National Public Radio
California voters split on tax targeted by Big Tobacco. A high-profile California cigarette tax initiative backed by cycling legend Lance Armstrong that once seemed like a sure thing teetered on the brink of defeat Wednesday, a testament to the efficacy of a $50 million campaign backed by Big Tobacco. Associated Press
Japanese drink makers provide radiation info to reassure concerned consumers. In response to queries from concerned customers, some beverage producers have launched systems that allow customers to use their cellphones to access Internet sites that will tell them where a certain drink was produced and the results of any radiation tests done on the product. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.
Oregon to check for lead contamination. Oregon environmental regulators are alerting residents in a Portland neighborhood that the soil around around their homes might be contaminated with lead and are asking for their help as they investigate. USA Today
6/5/12
Recalls keep Tylenol, other products off store shelves. Leached pesticides, particles of wood and metal, infectious bacteria, overdosed medicines, underdosed medicines. These are the elements of a spate of recalls plaguing the makers of Tylenol and keeping store shelves relatively bare of the brand’s once-robust suite of products. Sacramento Bee, California.
Hawaii to regulate pesticides in waterways. State health officials are setting new rules for the regulation of pesticides after a federal court ruled that the chemicals fall under the Clean Water Act when they enter waterways. Critics say the recently released draft rules aren’t strict enough. Honolulu Civil Beat, Hawaii.
High leukemia rate noted among kids of 2 A-bomb survivors. A new study shows that children who were born within 10 years of both parents surviving the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima have a higher rate of developing leukemia than children who only had one parent who was a survivor within 10 years of the blast. Asahi Shimbun, Japan.
Deformed fish in Alberta sent for genetic testing. A First Nations community in northeastern Alberta downstream from Alberta’s oilsands region has released photos of deformed fish that band members caught in Lake Athabasca and sent to a Calgary lab for genetic testing. Fort McMurray Today, Alberta.
Exotic diseases from warmer climates gain foothold in the US. Diseases once thought to be rare or exotic in the United States are gaining a presence and getting new attention from medical researchers who are probing how immigration, limited access to care and the impacts of climate change are influencing their spread. ClimateWire
Climate change-resilient landscapes identified in Virginia, West Virginia. Vast national forest areas and scattered pockets of undeveloped lands in West Virginia and Virginia are among the regions that would be resilient to drought, rising temperatures and other threats associated with climate change, according to a study released today by The Nature Conservancy. Associated Press
Los Angeles finds health-code violations on Skid Row. The city of Los Angeles is violating the county health code in its Skid Row area by allowing the nation’s densest population of homeless people to live on streets infested with rats, human excrement and used hypodermic needles, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has found. Associated Press
Scientists consider transgenerational response to toxic chemicals. A series of papers being rolled out this year by Washington State University’s Michael Skinner and researchers from other universities is strengthening findings that toxic exposures and other events have the ability to alter the genes of future generations. Spokane Spokesman-Review, Washington.
Court tells FDA to reconsider antibiotics in animal feed. A federal judge asked the FDA to reexamine its decision to support the use of antibiotics in animal feed. The latest ruling is the second such setback for the FDA over citizen calls to restrict concerns antibiotics in animal feed. Reuters
Wood that reaches new heights. The nine-story structure on the corner of Provost Street and Murray Grove in London stands out. From the second floor up, it is constructed entirely of wood. Proponents say buildings made with cross-laminated timber, or CLT, panels could be a cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative to structures made with steel and concrete. New York Times [Registration Required]
6/4/12
Chest radiation for girls is linked to breast cancer later. Women who were exposed to chest radiation to treat cancer during childhood have a risk of developing breast cancer as adults that is comparable to that of women with a high genetic risk of the disease, according to a study being presented Monday. Wall Street Journal [Subscription Required]
Study shows open-fire smoke harms young brains. Spending too much time around a smoky fire is not only harmful physically, but mentally as well, according to a new study, which found that memory, problem solving and socialization in young children was hampered by prolonged exposure to the smoke from cooking fires fueled by wood, dung or straw. Riverside Press-Enterprise, California.
Biosensor detects nano-contaminates. A super-fast sensor that can detect the tiniest traces of contaminants or bacteria has been developed by Australian researchers. The new biosensor has the potential to be used in fields such as environmental analysis. Australia ABC News, Australia.
Brazil farmers in legal feud with Monsanto over GM soy. Illegally smuggled into Brazil 14 years ago, transgenic soy has proved a boon to domestic farmers and now accounts for 85 percent of total production. But five million Brazilian farmers are now locked in a legal feud with U.S. biotech giant Monsanto, the GM soy seed manufacturer, and are refusing to pay crop royalties. Agence France-Presse
UN warns Australia to protect Great Barrier Reef from mining boom. The United Nations has warned Australia not to allow the development of new ports along the country’s iconic Great Barrier Reef, as the World Heritage-listed natural wonder is under threat from climate change and an “unprecedented” gas and mining boom. London Times, United Kingdom. [Subscription Required]
France proposes banning pesticide linked to bee collapse. Following research linking neonicotinoid pesticides to the decline in bee populations, France has announced it plans to ban Cruiser OSR, an insecticide produced by Syngenta. Mongabay
Rules on workplace toxics stalled. The federal standard in place to protect workers from beryllium is based on an Atomic Energy Commission calculation crafted by an industrial hygienist and a physician in 1949. For the last 12 years, an effort to update that standard has been mired in delay. A plan to address another toxic hazard — silica — has been tied up even longer: 15 years. Center for Public Integrity
IBM, Recology Drive San Francisco Toward Zero-Waste Status IBM is collaborating with resource recovery company Recology to help San Francisco achieve zero waste by 2020. The city’s diversion rate already totals 78 percent, which Recology says is the highest in the US. Recology uses IBM’s technology to determine types and quantities of materials in San Francisco’s waste stream, pinpointing the location, types and amounts of waste that need to be collected for sorting or composting.
.New California building code to slash energy bills by billions Today the California Energy Commission voted 4-0 to adopt new energy efficiency standards for residential and commercial buildings in California. This move will update the existing 2013 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, also known as Title 24. As a result, new construction buildings in California as well as major alterations and additions to existing buildings will be amongst the most energy efficient in the nation when the new rules take effect on January 1, 2014.
Inside Mars’ science-based quest for sustainability When it comes to corporate sustainability, Mars matters. Mars has an impact, first of all, because of the company’s heft. With $30 billion in revenues and more than 65,000 workers around the world, Mars is the world’s second largest chocolate company (behind Kraft, which owns Cadbury). It’s also the world’s largest branded rice company (Uncle Ben’s), one of the world’s largest pet food companies (Pedigree, Whiskas) and the world’s largest chewing gum company (Wrigley, Orbit, Doublemint).
Revised WRI tool aims to help firms assess global water risk For many companies, water issues have recently migrated from corporations’ social responsibility departments to finance and risk management departments. Companies have been reporting a growing exposure to water-related risks like flooding and pollution, and many have already started to experience water-related business impacts.
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