News Wrapup: Earthquakes, Nail Polish and Diabetes

A summary of a U.S. Geological Survey finding associating earthquakes with the oil and gas drilling process was mentioned by The Atlantic, and re-printed in Yahoo! Finance and SFist. Bill Allayaud was interviewed twice by different Fox News programs, and spoke with Alternet who did a long piece titled "Unregulated Fracking for Decades? Why California May Be a Disaster Waiting to Happen"

From our toxics side, we commented on two new reports - one highlighting troublesome chemicals in nail polishes in California, and the other examining a link between phthalate exposure and diabetes.

Natural Resources

AlterNet: Unregulated Fracking for Decades? Why California May Be a Disaster Waiting to Happen

The situation became less clear after a recent investigative report from DC-based nonprofit Environmental Working Group explained that California has experienced 60 unregulated years of widespread fracking...

Also in: Salon

The Atlantic: Middle America Is Experiencing a Massive Increase in 3.0+ Earthquakes

The Environmental Working Group notes that more than 400,000 wells were drilled between 2001 and 2010, a 65% increase over the previous ten-year period.

Care2: Fracking in California?

...The Environmental Working Group came out with a damning report bringing together years of research to conclude that serious fracking has taken place in at least six California counties...

Chemicals

WebMD: Phthalates May Double Diabetes Risk

"There are chemicals in our environment including phthalates that may be able to interact with the body that changes the way we metabolize and regulate fat," says Johanna Congleton, PhD. She is a senior scientist for Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C.

HealthDay: Common Plastics Chemical Might Boost Diabetes Risk

According to the Environmental Working Group, a group trying to rid hazardous chemicals from consumer products, there is no practical way to choose phthalate-free products.

Also in: U.S. News World Report

Chatelaine: How to reduce PFCs in your home

The Environmental Working Group suggests starting in the kitchen.

Cosmetics

Good Morning America: Safer Mani-Pedis: Steps You Can Take

If you're concerned about ingredients in your favorite brands of nail polish, Malkan suggested going to the Skin Deep online safety database, created by the Environmental Working Group,

KQED: The Ugly Side of Beauty: Toxic Chemicals in Nail Polish

WebMD: Is Your Nail Polish Toxic?

"The bottom-line finding is we can't trust the labels on some of these nail salon products that are claiming to be free of these toxic chemicals," says Rebecca Sutton, PhD, senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group.

Prevention: Your Risky Manicure

Honeybee Gardens and Aquarella are two water-based brands that have earned low-hazard ratings from the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

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