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2011

Fracking investigations expand

June, 2011
In June 2011, Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu recruited a panel of supposedly independent experts to advise him on fracking and the natural gas industry -- and EWG promptly discovered that six of the seven had current financial ties to the industry. EWG’s letter to Chu expressing concern was joined by more than 100 national, state, and local organizations in 13 states. EWG organized a similar...
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Key Issues, Toxics, Health Concerns: 
Energy
Fracking

Safe Cosmetics Act introduced

May, 2011
In May 2011, Rep. Jane Schakowsky (D-Ill.) introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act, calling for stricter federal regulation of cosmetic ingredients. EWG worked with the office of Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) on a Senate version of the bill.
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Key Issues, Toxics, Health Concerns: 
Toxics
Chemical Policy
Consumer Products
Cosmetics

Losing Ground report spotlights farm soil erosion

April, 2011
On April 13, 2011, EWG launched “ Losing Ground,” a seminal report that chronicled how farm belt soil erosion was dramatically underestimated. The report gained widespread attention.
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Brazilian Blowout hair-straightener exposed as unsafe

April, 2011
In April 2011, EWG released an analysis showing high formaldehyde content in Brazilian Blowout and other top brands of hair straighteners and published FDA consumer incident reports of hair loss, corneal abrasions and vomiting. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a national health advisory to salon workers and owners. EWG filed a petition with the FDA pressing for...
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Key Issues, Toxics, Health Concerns: 
Consumer Products

Sulfuryl Fluoride petition granted

January, 2011
On January 10, 2011, EPA granted a petition filed by EWG, Beyond Pesticides, and Fluoride Action Network to end of the use of sulfuryl fluoride, an insecticide and food fumigant. This act marked the first time EPA has granted all objections to a petition under the “reasonable certainty of no harm” standard of the Food Quality and Protection Act. Our petition prompted the January 7, 2011 decision...
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Key Issues, Toxics, Health Concerns: 
Toxics
Pesticides

Vitamin A finding supported

January, 2011
EWG’s 2010 sunscreen guide, we warned that retinyl palmitate, a form of Vitamin A found in two-fifths of U.S. sunscreens, could possibly accelerate development of skin tumors when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight. The industry widely attacked EWG’s warning. In January 2011, a key independent science advisory panel of the National Institutes of Health confirmed EWG’s analysis.
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Key Issues, Toxics, Health Concerns: 
Consumer Products