PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Health

We have a right to information about threats to the health of our families, friends, coworkers, and selves.

Concerns Over Industry Influence Mount In Cell Phone Right-to-Know Fight (OMB Watch)

The city of San Francisco recently passed an ordinance requiring retailers to label cell phones with the amount of radiation the devices emit. In retaliation, a wireless industry trade group announced it will no longer hold its trade shows in San Francisco and filed a lawsuit to block enforcement of the ordinance. The fight has caused right-to-know advocates to raise concerns over the extent of the wireless industry's influence over regulators.

(30 Sep 2010)

EPA Seeks to Enhance Public Access to Chemical Data (OMB Watch)

The EPA has proposed several changes to its regulation of chemicals that should improve the public's access to crucial information. The improved data collected under the proposed rule will help the agency and the public identify potential chemical risks and take action to manage those risks.

(20 Aug 2010)

BPA Linked to Decreased Sperm Quantity and Quality (Environment News Service)

Researchers have found a connection between urinary concentrations of Bisphenol A, or BPA, and decreased sperm quality and quantity. The results of the study show that the sperm concentrations of men with the highest concentrations of BPA were 23 percent lower on average with a 10 percent increase in sperm DNA damage. According to the study's lead author, "Much of the focus for BPA is on the exposures in utero or in early life...but this suggests exposure may also be a concern for adults."

(04 Aug 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Tell Congress to Support Research on Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange)

A growing pandemic of endocrine-related disorders, such as ADHD, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, early puberty, infertility and other reproductive disorders, and childhood and adult cancers, is seriously undermining the health and wealth of our nation. TAKE ACTION and demand greater research to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals and determine their safety.

(03 Aug 2010)

CDC Releases National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (CDC)

The CDC released the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, a comprehensive assessment of the exposure of the U.S. population to 212 chemicals, 75 of which have never been measured previously in the blood and urine of the U.S. population. The blood and urine samples were collected from participants in the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which samples the U.S. population every two years.

(02 Aug 2010)

NRDC Is Testing the Waters for Health Risks (NRDC)

The NRDC's annual survey of water quality and public notification at U.S. beaches found that aging and poorly designed sewage treatment systems and contaminated stormwater are polluting beachwater, which can cause skin rashes, pink eye, respiratory infections, hepatitis, and meningitis in beach goers. The NRDC is also pushing Congress to pass the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act, which would require states to use rapid water testing methods and fund research to identify sources of beachwater pollution.

(30 Jul 2010)

Chemicals in Rivers Linked to Sexual Changes in Fish (The Canadian Press)

University of Calgary professors have found that hormone-altering chemicals in rivers, such as synthetic estrogens and agricultural by-products, are changing the sexes of a small species of minnow. One of the researchers asserted "I think we need to look at this a little more carefully and ask, what is the message the fish are telling us. If the fish are showing bent genders and people are drinking the same water . . . we need to try to evaluate that risk.”

(30 Jul 2010)

NRDC Sues FDA for 30 Year Delay in Regulating Antimicrobials (NRDC)

The NRDC sued the FDA because the agency failed to finalize a 32 year old document that would regulate the use of triclosan and triclocarban, which are widely used and unregulated despite potential health risks, in hand soaps and body washes. The FDA revealed that these chemicals are minimally effective and data from laboratory animal studies shows that the chemicals interfere with hormones necessary for development and reproduction.

(28 Jul 2010)

EPA Puts New Focus on Environmental Justice (CNN)

In a letter to EPA staffers, Administrator Lisa P. Jackson issued interim guidance over the integration of environmental justice into agency decision-making, rule development, and scientific analysis. Jackson stated, "Dirty air, polluted water, and contaminated lands have significant impacts on the health and economic possibilities of the people who live in overburdened communities."
"Toxic Towns USA," part of Dr. Sanjay Gupta's yearlong environmental investigation, re-airs July 31st at 8pm and 11pm and August 1 at 2am EST.

(27 Jul 2010)

Disputed Chemical Bisphenol-A Found in Paper Receipts (The Washington Post)

The EWG reported that researchers found Bisphenol-A on 40 percent of receipts collected from automated teller machines, supermarkets, gas stations, and chain stores, which could explain why the chemical can be detected in approximately 93 percent of Americans' urine. According to the EWG, "We've come across potentially major sources of BPA in our daily lives...you could be getting all kinds of exposure and not realize it."

(27 Jul 2010)