PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Pollution

Under right-to-know laws, industrial facilities report using and releasing billions of pounds of toxic chemicals. Still greater amounts pass unreported as products and pollution. Find information on tracking chemical use and releases, and on preventing industrial pollution at the source.

EPA Lists Pollutants in Drinking Water that Might Be Regulated (U.S. EPA)

The EPA released its new list of unregulated contaminants in drinking water that the agency will consider regulating. The list includes pesticides, drugs, and industrial chemicals.

(23 Sep 2009)

New Green Rankings for Top Companies

The Carbon Disclosure Project released its 2009 report, rating major corporations on their emissions and climate actions.
Newsweek also launched its own sustainability rating system.

(23 Sep 2009)

Greenhouse Gas Registry Finalized (OMB Watch)

The EPA finalized its mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule Sept. 22, creating the nation's first mandatory GHG registry, with facilities to begin emissions monitoring January 2010.

(22 Sep 2009)

EPA Asking the Public to Help Set Enforcement Priorities (OMB Watch)

The EPA is collecting ideas from the public on what its enforcement and compliance priorities should be for the next three years (FY 2011-2013). These priorities address the most pressing environmental problems. The public may comment on an online forum on the EPA's blog until Sept. 30.

(17 Sep 2009)

More Monitoring, Lawsuits from School Air Quality Report (USA Today)

The USA Today reports on the fallout to date from its expose on the risks of toxic air pollution near schools. EPA and local officials expanded air monitoring around schools, and legal challenges continue.

(15 Sep 2009)

Major Problems with Enforcement of Water Pollution Laws (New York Times)

Comprehensive research by the New York Times reveals major problems with enforcement of water pollution laws, with 500,000 violations in the last five years - most going unpunished. The Times created a national database of water pollution violations.

(14 Sep 2009)

Mandatory Registry of Nanomaterials Needed (Chatham House)

Greater reporting requirements are needed for nanomaterials, according to a new report and an EPA official. The reporting would collect more environmental, health, and safety data on the growing nanotechnologies industry.

(11 Sep 2009)

Gas Drilling Leaks Portend More Problems in PA Drilling Boom (Environmental Science & Technology)

Pennsylvania inspectors use isotopic data to link natural gas contamination of drinking water to flaws in the construction of hydraulic fracturing wells. The state's complex geology and weak regulations complicate its gas drilling boom.

(04 Sep 2009)

Mercury Levels in Women Jump (Environment News Service)

Inorganic mercury was detected in the blood of 30 percent of women studied in 2005-2006, a steep rise from the two percent of women found to have inorganic mercury in their blood in a 1999-2000 study. The findings also suggest increased risks of mercury-related diseases.

(04 Sep 2009)

Fewer Days of High-Ozone Levels Over Last Year - Study (Clean Air Watch)

Thanks in large part to cooler temperatures and more rain, the number of days smog levels nationwide exceeded standards dropped almost 50% in 2009 compared to last year, according to a survey by Clean Air Watch.

(04 Sep 2009)