The Latest from EnviroBlog

As drilling for natural gas pushes more and more into shale formations in populated areas, the problem of gas bubbling into drinking water is occurring with increasing frequency. Several homeowners have reported flaming tap water and have feared explosions. The danger is not just a theoretical one: a home in Bainbridge, Ohio, exploded in 2007 because the hydraulic fracturing and cementing of a nearby gas well was done improperly.

Key Issues: 

Energy

Fracking

Water

Tap Water

A growing number of states – Texas, Montana, Colorado and South Dakota, to name a few – are requiring oil and gas drilling companies to disclose the chemicals they use for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, through FracFocus, an online database partially funded by the drilling industry. 

Key Issues: 

Energy

Fracking

In his State of the Union address, President Obama perpetuated a misleading idea -- that natural gas can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chemical Policy

Energy

Fracking

In the last decade. Study after study by scientists from around the globe has connected the plastics and food packaging ingredient with more than a dozen serious health problems, including reproductive system abnormalities, cancer, behavioral disorders and diabetes.  A growing list of states and localities across the U.S. has86ed baby bottles and sippy cups containing the substance. 

Key Issues: 

Toxics

BPA

Food Containers

Two years ago, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced the Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act, more commonly known as Trevor's Law.  Although the full committee endorsed the bill last year, it never came to a vote in the full Senate.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chemical Policy

My slow cooker is battered and dinged, and I love it.  Fill it with filtered water and dried beans in the morning, set on low, and by dinnertime, I have a steaming pot of cooked beans. Or load it up with broth and chopped vegetables, and I come home to a beautiful soup for a healthy meal. 

Key Issues: 

BPA

Food

Healthy Eating

Chemicals in Food

Environmental Working Group President Ken Cook often points out that many pesticides that were once liberally sprayed on food crops and considered perfectly safe turn out to be anything but - after farm workers and consumers have been exposed to them for years. 

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Pesticides

Farming

The Chicago Tribune reports it has detected cancer-causing chemicals known as chlorinated tris in 11 crib mattresses made in China and sold by Babies R Us, Foundations and Angeles brands. None of the 16 U.S.-made mattresses tested by the Tribune contained this toxic chemical.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Fire Retardants

Consumer Products

Children’s Products

The top environmental health stories of 2012 were all about everyday hazards that are right in our backyards. They have to do with the unintended consequences of chemical pollution that could harm the health of our families, our neighbors, our towns - our nation.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

BPA

Fire Retardants

Pesticides

Consumer Products

Cell Phones

Food Containers

Sunscreens

Energy

Farming

Environment

Food

Local & Sustainable

Chemicals in Food

Water