PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Drinking Water

New Database on Pesticides, Food, and Health Risks (Pesticide Action Network)

A new searchable database shows what pesticides are found on different foods, in what amount, and the health effects associated with exposure to each of the chemicals.

(24 Jul 2009)

Fewer Regulations for Bottled Water Than Tap, GAO Says (NY Times - Greenwire)

Bottled water manufacturers are not required to disclose as much information as municipal water utilities because of gaps in federal oversight authority, according to reports released by government auditors.

(17 Jul 2009)

EPA Calls for Transparency as "First Step" to Improving Water Quality (OMB Watch)

Head of EPA calls for greater transparency with government performance on water quality. EPA will meet with public, create strategy over next 90 days.

(16 Jul 2009)

"Food, Inc." Exposes Industry Secrets (PBS)

A new film, "Food, Inc.," exposes the secrets and hazards of our industrial food system.

(03 Jul 2009)

New data suggest PBDE byproducts are ubiquitous in U.S. waters (Environmental Science & Technology)

Research shows that toxic PBDE flame retardants are ubiquitous and dioxins can be created when the flame retardants in wastewater are exposed to sunlight.

(03 Jul 2009)

EPA Posts List of 44 “High Hazard Potential” Coal Ash Impoundments (Associated Press)

EPA has identified 44 potentially hazardous coal ash dumps in 10 states: AZ, GA, IL, IN, KY, MT, NC, OH, PA, and WV.

(03 Jul 2009)

Sewage Right-to-Know Bill Passes Senate Committee (Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg)

A bill improving public notification of overflows of raw sewage into waterways passed a Senate committee today.

(18 Jun 2009)

New Bills Would Disclose "Fracking" Chemicals

New bills would force disclosure of secret toxic chemicals used in gas drilling.

(09 Jun 2009)

EPA Might Regulate Fracking Chemicals (ProPublica)

The EPA administrator stated that the agency should review the risks to drinking water posed by secret chemicals used in an oil and gas drilling process called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."  Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) questioned EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at a hearing this week.

(22 May 2009)

USDA Restores Pesticide Reporting for Some Crops (Capital Press [Oregon])

The Department of Agriculture will partially reinstate tracking of agricultural pesticides after the Bush administration cut the program's funding. The program provides useful public data about the amount of pesticides used on certain crops. See USDA's Agricultural Chemical Use Database.

(20 May 2009)