News Releases

Spring Cleaning: EWG’s Tips on What to Use – and What to Avoid

Monday, March 25, 2013

From kitchen, bathroom, glass and all-purpose cleaners to dishwashing detergent, laundry soap and bleach, Environmental Working Group has scoured the chemical ingredients of more than 2,000 different household cleaning products and come up with a list of some of the best – and some you should avoid.

Key Issues:

Consumer Products

Cleaning Products

Congressmen Target Fracking Loopholes to Stem Pollution

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Growing numbers of Americans have had to contend with the harmful environmental impacts of oil and natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing as energy companies have pushed into shale and other unconventional formations. Due to glaring loopholes and generous exemptions from federal law that Congress has granted to operators, there are few protective tools available to those whose water and air are threatened by the current drilling boom that features more intensive hydraulic fracturing – the controversial practice also known as fracking.

Key Issues:

Fracking

Oil & Gas Drilling

Merrigan’s Departure Leaves Gaping Hole for Federal Food and Ag Policy

Friday, March 15, 2013

The departure of Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “leaves a gaping hole in the Obama administration's leadership on food and agriculture policy,” Environmental Working Group’s president Ken Cook said today.

Key Issues:

Government Report Sheds New Light on Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune

Friday, March 15, 2013

A new report released today by federal health officials shows that the decades-long case of drinking water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina is one of the worst on record.

Key Issues:

Tap Water

EWG Celebrates 20 Years of Game-Changing Work

Friday, March 15, 2013

This week, the Environmental Working Group celebrated 20 years of groundbreaking environmental health research and advocacy at its 4 th annual Earth Dinner at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Founded in 1993, EWG changed the perceptions of lawmakers, consumers, and even industry about toxic chemicals, food, farming, and energy production.

Key Issues:

Budget Plan Calls for $31 Billion in Savings from Farm Subsidies

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The draft budget released by the House Budget Committee takes a first step toward reforming wasteful farm programs by calling for $31 billion in savings from farm subsidies and crop insurance, Environmental Working Group said in a statement today. The budget document cited record farm income over the last few years in the face of crippling federal deficits as a reason to reexamine farm subsidies and the structure of the bloated crop insurance program.

Key Issues:

Subsidies

EWG Commends Whole Foods for Setting Deadline for Labeling GE Foods

Friday, March 8, 2013

Environmental Working Group applauds food retailer Whole Foods Market for its decision to label any foods sold in its U.S. and Canadian stores that contain genetically engineered ingredients by 2018. Whole Foods Market is the first national grocery chain to set a deadline for full transparency for GE foods (also known as GMOs).

Key Issues:

National Nonprofits To Collaborate on Promoting Organic Food and GE Labeling

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Environmental Working Group and Organic Voices will collaborate to highlight the benefits of organic food and advance the fight for labeling food that contains genetically engineered ingredients, the two organizations announced today.

Key Issues:

Flake and Duncan Propose Smart Reform of Crop Insurance

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) today introduced companion bills in Congress that would provide much-needed reform of the heavily subsidized federal crop insurance program. The Crop Insurance Subsidy Reduction Act of 2013 would restore the program’s fiscal integrity while ensuring that farmers are protected by an effective safety net when the weather turns against them.

Key Issues:

Subsidies

EWG Applauds Nomination of Gina McCarthy to Head EPA

Monday, March 4, 2013

President Obama’s selection of Gina McCarthy as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency “is a bold choice that reflects the president’s strong commitment to protecting public health and the environment,” Environmental Working Group (EWG) Executive Director Heather White said today.

Key Issues:

Water

EWG's New Online Water Filter Buying Guide

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Environmental Working Group has released its new online water filter buying guide with more options and new tips for consumers who want cleaner drinking water for themselves and their families.

Key Issues:

Water

Tap Water

100 million+ Americans Exposed to Forgotten Toxics in Drinking Water

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A new Environmental Working Group analysis of 2011 water quality tests by 201 large U.S. municipal water systems that serve more than 100 million people in 43 states has determined that all are polluted with unwanted toxic chemicals called trihalomethanes. These chemicals, an unintended side effect of chlorination, elevate the risks of bladder cancer, miscarriages and other serious ills.

Key Issues:

Water

Tap Water

Senators Seek to Block Higher Ethanol Blend

Friday, February 15, 2013

Environmental Working Group today welcomed the introduction of legislation to block the use of gasoline containing 15 percent corn ethanol by U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and David Vitter (R-La.), calling it a good first step in addressing concerns about the broader use of higher ethanol blends.

Key Issues:

Biofuels

EWG lauds Reid, Stabenow for advancing American Family Economic Protection Act

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Environmental Working Group vice president for government affairs Scott Faber released the following statement on the American Family Economic Protection Act.

Key Issues:

Farm Policy

Groups Urge Probe of EPA Actions in Texas Water Contamination Case

Monday, February 11, 2013

More than 80 organizations from 12 states and a New York state senator today called on the inspector general of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate a decision to drop legal action against a drilling company despite evidence that it had polluted residents’ well water near Fort Worth, Texas.

Key Issues:

Fracking

Oil & Gas Drilling

California to Overhaul Fire Retardant Rules

Friday, February 8, 2013

California Governor Jerry Brown today proposed to end the widespread use of highly toxic fire retardant chemicals in foam furniture sold in the state.

Key Issues:

Fire Retardants

EPA’s Proposed Biofuels Mandates are Unworkable

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Environmental Protection Agency’s latest proposal to pump even more corn ethanol into the gasoline supply this year signals the need for a major overhaul of U.S. biofuels policy, said Environmental Working Group’s Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber.

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