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NIEHS Director: "We kind of jump from the proverbial fry pan into the fire" when replacing chemicals.
As head of the federal institute examining environmental health, Linda Birnbaum and her staff are taking on many controversial topics, including Bisphenol A and new flame retardants. She is concerned about what role chemicals play in cancer and other diseases. Environmental Health News. 20 November 2009.
Environmentalists take legal actions to block dredging of Delaware River.
Five environmental organizations Thursday filed legal challenges in opposition to the Army Corps of Engineers plan to dredge the Delaware River, which they claimed violates seven federal laws, as well as Delaware law. Newsroom Jersey, New Jersey. 20 November 2009.
Government reintroduces DDT to eradicate Malaria.
Malaria remains a huge health challenge in Botswana and has compelled the government to reintroduce the use of DDT. Gaborone Mmegi, Botswana. 20 November 2009.
'Unfair' levy blows out cost of stream work.
The cost of cleaning up one of New Zealand's most polluted streams has blown out by $250,000 because of a new law. Investigations have shown the contamination is worse than initially thought, with an extra 800 cubic metres of toxic sludge added in the past month. Wellington Dominion Post, New Zealand. 20 November 2009.
Hidden poison: San Jacinto River's submerged toxic dumps must be secured, and soon.
Since 2005, state and federal environmental officials have known the source of dangerous levels of the carcinogen dioxin originating in the San Jacinto River and contaminating seafood harvested from northern Galveston Bay. Houston Chronicle, Texas. Editorial, 20 November 2009.
New science for chemicals policy.
Long-standing public policies governing chemical design, production, and use need deep restructuring in light of new science on the health and environmental effects of anthropogenic chemicals. Such reforms are essential to safeguard ecosystem integrity, human health, and economic sustainability. Science. Opinion, 20 November 2009.
Texas plant won't burn Mexican PCB materials.
A southeast Texas industrial plant is scrapping plans to import and incinerate 20,000 tons of hazardous materials from Mexico, the facility's general manager said Wednesday. Associated Press. 19 November 2009.
Group: Male fish are producing eggs in our rivers.
A citizens' group has asked Congress to protect human health from contaminants that are causing male fish to produce eggs. The "intersex" condition is believed to be caused by chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system. Charleston State Journal, West Virginia. 19 November 2009.
PCBs contaminate land trade proposal.
Complex issues, from the possible need for a new development permit to an expanded search for cancer-causing toxins on the site, continue to slow a land swap deal that would bring 37 acres of potential Los Cerritos Wetlands into the city’s control. Long Beach Grunion Gazette, California. 19 November 2009.
Toxins in toiletries harming unborn kids.
Two studies this week raised the alarm about the experiments we are unwittingly conducting on our unborn kids. Both involved chemicals called phthalates, added to many lotions, shampoos, perfumes and nail polishes. At the very least, we need to slap labels on these products. Toronto Star, Ontario. Opinion, 19 November 2009.
Less boy, more girl.
It's disturbing that industrial chemicals influence our behavior at any age, and that alone may be enough cause to regulate them out of existence, but proving that phthalates cause lasting changes and ill health requires evidence that so far hasn't met the test. US News & World Report. Opinion, 19 November 2009.
Can plastic change your sex?
This week, mothers all over the world woke up and wondered whether their little boys were increasingly behaving like little girls. The cause for this sudden concern: a new study claiming chemicals in everyday plastics might be feminizing their brains. Forbes. Opinion, 19 November 2009.
PCBs hike blood pressure.
No one would choose to eat polychlorinated biphenyls — yet we unwittingly do. And a new study finds that the cost of their pervasive contamination of our food supply can be high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease. Science News. 18 November 2009.
Study pinpoints chemicals in moms-to-be.
Aware of chemicals in everyday products, Kim Radtke refused such things as ordinary scented lotions and deodorants. So when Radtke took part in a new study that tested levels of chemicals in pregnant women, she was dismayed to learn she rated worst among nine West Coast women tested. Seattle Post Globe, Washington. 18 November 2009.
Deadly chemical shows up in San Francisco Bay.
A little-noticed scientific study published last month concludes that a chemical widely used to prevent fires from starting in your furniture is now showing up in disturbing amounts in San Francisco Bay. And that may not be the worst of it. Oakland KTVU TV, California. 18 November 2009.
PCB-laden soil removed from Ramore area.
It has taken many years but finally PCB contaminated soil at an abandoned Canadian Forces installation near Ramore has been removed and the area can once again be used safely. Kirkland Lake Northern News, Ontario. 18 November 2009.
Residents question, make suggestions to PCB trustees.
Economics and ecology seemed to be the themes for visitors at a meeting tonight to decide how to spend about $9 million to restore Hartwell Lake after PCB contamination 30 years ago. Anderson Independent Mail, South Carolina. 18 November 2009.
Nanosilver in consumer products: No silver lining for fish.
Smaller than a virus and used in more than 200 consumer products, silver nanoparticles can kill and mutate fish embryos, new research shows. Increasingly popular in consumer goods, they wash down drains and are discharged into lakes and rivers, exposing fish and other aquatic life. Environmental Health News. 17 November 2009.
Toxic chemicals found in wetlands threaten to quash land swap.
EPA requires more study of the area after tests find 2,000 times the recommended level of carcinogenic PCBs in Los Cerritos Wetlands. Los Angeles Times, California. 17 November 2009.
Jury awards $12M in Verizon toxic waste lawsuit.
Two men who became seriously ill after working at a Hicksville magazine distributor located atop a former nuclear fuel plant have been awarded $12 million in a federal negligence lawsuit against Verizon Communications Inc. New York Newsday, New York. 17 November 2009.
Plastics ingredients could make a boy's play less masculine.
Exposures in the womb to a ubiquitous family of industrial chemicals can subtly perturb preferences of boys for certain types of child’s play thought to be hardwired in the brain, a new study suggests Science News. 17 November 2009.
Exposure to chemical may feminize boys' play.
Preschool boys exposed in utero to high levels of certain chemicals called phthalates may be less likely to play with male-typical toys and games, such as trucks and play fighting, according to a small pilot study published in the International Journal of Andrology. Chicago Tribune, Illinois. 17 November 2009.
Scientists focus on chemicals linked with deviation in boys' behaviour.
Preschool boys exposed in utero to high levels of certain chemicals called phthalates (prounounced "thal-lates") may be less likely to play with male-typical toys and games, such as trucks and play fighting, according to a small pilot study published in the International Journal of Andrology. Girls' play behavior was not associated with phthalate levels in their mothers. Pravda, Russia. 17 November 2009.
Common chemicals making boys soft.
A US study has come to the conclusion that chemicals used to soften up household items may also be making a new generation of soft blokes. ABC News, Australia. 17 November 2009.
Toxicants in plastic 'feminise boys.'
Chemicals in plastics alter the brains of baby boys making them "more feminine", say US researchers. Males exposed to more phthalates in the womb went on to be less likely to play with boys' toys like cars or to join in rough and tumble games. The research adds to concerns about the safety of phthalates, found in vinyl flooring and PVC shower curtains. BBC. 16 November 2009.
Trying to reverse river’s poisoned past.
A plan to scrub free the San Jacinto River of cancer-causing dioxins has skeptics, but all agree something must be done. Houston Chronicle, Texas. 16 November 2009.
Health Min. to examine risks of chemical in baby bottles.
Bisphenol A is a substance found in baby bottles, pacifiers, drink containers and various plastic products. A dispute is currently raging as to the health risk posed by what is commonly called BPA, which is apparently able to leak into the human body. Haaretz, Israel. 16 November 2009.
Chemicals in plastic 'change the way boys play.'
Chemicals used in plastics are 'feminising' the brains of baby boys, a disturbing study shows. Those exposed to high doses in the womb are less likely to play with 'male' toys such as cars. They are also less willing to join 'rough and tumble' games. London Daily Mail, United Kingdom. 16 November 2009.
Softeners in plastics may affect masculinity in young boys, study says.
Boys born to mothers who have above-normal levels of the controversial chemicals known as phthalates in their urine are less likely to exhibit masculine behavior, a new study has found. Los Angeles Times, California. 16 November 2009.
Toxins in plastic 'feminise boys', says phthalates study.
Research into pregnant women has shown those with a higher concentration of two phthalates in their urine produced sons less likely to play with male toys such as trucks and games like play-fighting. London Metro, United Kingdom. 16 November 2009.
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