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.”

Although outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward alleged that the mud BP is using to seal the well in the Gulf is not toxic, a congressional investigation has revealed that the mud is a highly toxic chemical mixture containing ethylene glycol and lye. Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) asserts, "Time and time again, BP has failed to disclose critical data and information that is essential to our ability to track the long term effects of this spill."

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.

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."

Recent studies of over 400 women in New York City and Krakow have found that 5 year olds exposed in the womb to above-average levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are created from the burning of fossil fuels, score lower on IQ tests. A pregnant woman involved in the New York City study asserted, "It’s scary and alarming that we can live in a society where these things are happening and they go unnoticed."

The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (HR 5577) calls for the labeling of genetically engineered food, which may negatively impact health. Potential risks of consuming genetically engineered food include birth defects, sterility, and "horizontal gene transfer," among other adverse effects. Contact your representative here, and defend your right to know!

If passed, the newly introduced Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 will be the first piece of legislation to give the FDA authority to regulate chemical use in toiletries, including required labelling of all ingredients, which is "even more crucial now as many manufacturers are using nano-sized chemicals such as titanium dioxide in their cosmetic and health products." Currently, industry claims ingredients to be confidential business information, so "it's only the public that's kept in the dark."

USDA launched Ask The Expert, a knowledge-based search engine that holds nearly 2,000 questions and answers for a plethora of USDA programs. According to the Agriculture Secretary, "This exciting new tool is one of the many ways the USDA is working hard to use technology to provide the public with high quality service."

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson urged Congress to pass legislation strenghtening the EPA's authority over oil dispersants, asking for increased testing and disclosure of the chemical ingredients in Corexit. Jackson asserted that new dispersant legislation "would give us critical transparency and openness protections that right now EPA cannot provide by law."