The Latest from EnviroBlog

It's fair to say that I'm not a beach person.  My hair is pale blonde and my skin is the color of a marshmallow, if it had freckles.  I have nightmarish memories of being covered head to toe in sunscreen and still getting burned.  So now when I visit the shore, I faithfully apply one of the sunscreens highly rated by EWG's Sunscreen Guide, sit under an umbrella and still worry about getting burned. 

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chemical Policy

Consumer Products

Sunscreens

This week, EWG joined the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in filing a suit against California regulators for failing to develop a drinking water standard to protect millions of state residents against contamination by hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chromium-6

Water

Tap Water

Let me guess. You, like most Americans, usually have a sandwich for lunch. Or maybe it's a panini or a wrap, if you want to get technical. Regardless, it's what you eat the majority of the time. When you pack your lunch for work, do you ever stop to think about why you eat what you do? Whether we admit it or not, many of us choose our foods out of habit.

Key Issues: 

Food

Healthy Eating

As a kid, I was taught that a decent meal has carbs, veggies and meat. Tacos and burgers were my favorites. I have absolutely no interest in becoming a vegetarian.

Key Issues: 

Farming

Environment

Food

Local & Sustainable

Healthy Eating

A new water quality study near gas drilling operations in northeastern Pennsylvania counters natural gas industry claims that gas and hydraulic fracturing chemicals can't seep into the drinking water of nearby homes, schools and businesses.

Key Issues: 

Energy

Fracking

I have happy memories of long summer days spent outdoors, largely unencumbered by sun hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Now we know that one blistering burn during childhood can increase a child's risk of developing melanoma. So I diligently spread a thick layer of sunscreen on my own sons, who are six and two.

My motivation to protect my children is strong, but getting it done is a bit more of a challenge. Just because the label says, "for children," that doesn't mean a sunscreen truly meets the high standards every parent wants for their children's products.

Key Issues: 

Consumer Products

Sunscreens

My kids eat more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches than I'd like to admit. And in my line of work I hear about toxic chemicals daily so it takes a lot to shock me. But, flame retardants in peanut butter? Even I paused when I saw the headline about a recent study that found that flame retardants - that stuff that's slathered on kids' pajamas, sofa foam and upholstery ostensibly to protect us from fires--are showing up in sardines, poultry and yes, even peanut butter.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chemical Policy

Fire Retardants

Consumer Products

Chemicals in Food

For those of us lucky enough to sit down every day to healthy, nutritious meals, it's easy to forget that millions of American families in the grip of the recession are struggling to put food on the table and often end up consuming cheap, heavily processed food that puts their health at risk.

Key Issues: 

Food

Healthy Eating