The Latest from EnviroBlog

As one of his first major decisions as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt must rule by the end of this week on the safety of chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide that can harm children’s developing brains and nervous systems. The pesticide industry is lobbying hard to keep using chlorpyrifos, but we’re pushing back.

Key Issues: 

Pesticides

Farming

Food

More and more Americans want to avoid toxic pesticides on the foods they are buying and feeding their families. But the U.S. invests too little in growing more organic food. As demand for organic food continues to rise, American food companies and retailers are forced to rely on imports.

Key Issues: 

Farming

Food

Does hearing about pesticides on produce make people less likely to eat fruits and vegetables? No – just the opposite. But that’s what the pesticide lobby would like to have you believe.

Key Issues: 

Pesticides

Consumer Products

Food

Under a court order, last week California public health officials released draft guidelines advising cell phone users to keep phones away from their bodies, use speaker phone and limit use.

Key Issues: 

Consumer Products

Cell Phones

Banning or restricting toxic chemicals one at a time is like fighting the mythical hydra: For each head cut off, multiple replacements appear that may be just as hazardous. There's no better example than PFCs, the nonstick chemicals used in DuPont's Teflon and many other consumer products.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Nonstick Chemicals

Consumer Products

Holy smokes, what a week. It began with reports from EWG and others showing food wrappers from several top fast food chains were contaminated with toxic PFCs. The Senate broke its own rules to force a vote on Scott Pruitt to head EPA. Of course, we couldn’t remain silent over the looming scenario of a rabid anti-public health, pro-polluter like Pruitt running the EPA. More on that next week.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Farming

Food

Water