RTKnet: News in Brief

As Mess is Sent to Landfills, Officials Worry About Safety (New York Times)

Although BP's environmental unit claims that oily waste material is not hazardous, environmental lawyers, local officials, and residents surrounding landfills are worried about health risks. Chemist Marianne L. Horinko of the EPA asserts, "I think these communities are properly concerned...If you have a sufficient concentration [of oil waste], it will exhibit the characteristics of toxicity."

(17 Jun 2010)

C8 Exposure Linked to ADHD in Children (The Charleston Gazette)

Researchers recently found that "for every additional 1 part per billion of C8 in the blood, children faced a 12 percent increased risk of ADHD." C8, or perfluorooactonoic acid (PFOA), is widely used in nonstick coatings, food package coatings, and stain-resistant fabrics. Past studies have found a link between C8 exposure and liver damage, immune problems, developmental abnormalities, birth defects, and high cholesterol, among other health problems.

(17 Jun 2010)

New Online Mapping Tool for Oil Spill Data (Unified Command for the BP Oil Spill)

Described as a "one-stop shop for detailed near-real-time information about the response to the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill," NOAA has launched a new website: www.geoplatform.gov/gulfresponse/, that provides an interactive map incorporating data from the various agencies responding to the spill.

(16 Jun 2010)

Chemical Companies Set to Oppose TSCA Disclosure (ICIS.com)

Chemical companies are planning to lobby against the proposed TSCA reform to disclose chemical hazard information and chemical identities. Conversely, NRDC Senior Attorney Daniel Rosenberg asserts, “Besides the EPA not having enough information about these chemicals, the public doesn’t either."

(16 Jun 2010)

Sen. Schumer Asks FDA to Share Data On Possible Sunscreen Chemical-Cancer Link (The Washington Post)

Sen. Schumer (D-NY) asked the FDA on Sunday to disclose findings about the possible connection between retinyl palmitate and skin cancer. According to Schumer, "With the recent reports suggesting a possible link between skin cancer and a common chemical found in sunscreens, the FDA must now act to protect consumers," particularly by evaluating the scientific data and providing recommendations.

(14 Jun 2010)

The Poison Crib: When Protective Chemicals Harm (Salon.com)

Recent scientific evidence has led the EPA to propose putting a popular flame retardant, which is used in nursing pillows, cribs, and strollers, among other products, on their list of Chemicals of Concern. PBDEs, the most widely used chemical, is linked to ADD, hyperactivity, hearing problems, slow mental development, and cancer in children. According to the CDC, 97% of Americans have flame retardants in their blood.

(11 Jun 2010)

Ingredients of Controversial Dispersants Used on Gulf Spill Are Secrets No More (The New York Times)

The EPA disclosed a full list of ingredients in Corexit 9500 and 9527, the dispersants used in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) commented, "In order to hold BP accountable and to protect our citizens, we must provide all the information to the public and independent researchers so that they can verify the unfolding situation and long-term impact."

(09 Jun 2010)

Wyoming Approves Hydraulic Fracturing Disclosure Rules (The Associated Press)

The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission approved a regulation requiring energy companies to reveal the chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing. Energy companies were concerned that disclosing the chemicals in fracking fluid would hurt their competitiveness. However, Steven Jones of the Wyoming Outdoor Council affirmed, "It's going to be important for landowners and the public to get access to that information, to know what fluids they are using," particularly in the event of groundwater contamination.