EWG News Roundup (8/6): National Pesticide Law Reform, Attacks on Children’s Health and More

This week, Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) released a bill that would significantly strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to regulate the distribution, sale and use of pesticides. The bill, which represents the most sweeping overhaul of the nation’s pesticide law in nearly 25 years, would ban some of the most toxic pesticides used in the U.S. One of these would be chlorpyrifos, which can cause brain damage to children.

“We applaud Sen. Udall and Rep. Neguse for this bold and much-needed proposal to overhaul the nation’s pesticide law that puts the health and safety of children, farmworkers and all Americans first,” said EWG Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber.

Following up on our release last week of new test results for glyphosate on chickpeas and hummus, we published a piece on how exposure to the weedkiller in chickpeas and hummus, frequently advertised as a healthy snack for kids, affects children. Studies have shown that children are more susceptible to harms caused by glyphosate. Exposure at key points in their development can cause permanent damage.

On the topic of children’s health, EWG published two additional pieces this week. One explores how ads for sugary drinks target young people of color in particular. Overconsumption of sugar is a risk factor for heart disease, obesity and diabetes, chronic diseases that disproportionally affect Black and Hispanic lives.

The second discusses a Swedish study on how disinfection byproducts in drinking water affect pregnant women. These chemicals, specifically trihalomethanes, can cause women to give birth to babies with low birth weight. The study links this risk to concentrations starting at just 5 parts per billion – the equivalent of about five drops of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

On Thursday, we published an analysis that found if Congress provides another $20 billion in aid to farmers in the next COVID-19 spending bill, total federal farm spending this year could top $50 billion, setting a new record – and once again violating U.S. commitments to international trading partners.

Most pandemic relief funds from the Department of Agriculture go to the largest farms. And while many of the largest farms have reported coronavirus outbreaks, another new analysis finds that nearly one-third of reported outbreaks have hit U.S. farms that earn less than $1 million in annual revenue. These smaller farms, which supply nearly 60 percent of the nation’s agricultural production, need help the most.

Next week, Duke Energy will release its second-quarter financial results in a conference call with investors and analysts. Our experts suggested questions that journalists, investors and industry analysts can ask the nation’s largest investor-owned electric utility.

Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.

Children’s Health

Business Insider: The best bug sprays and repellents

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) does not recommend using any bug spray on children under six months of age but suggests treating clothes with permethrin. After a child reaches six months, picaridin is the safest choice.

Moms: Are Fortified Breakfast Drinks Healthy For Kids?

A report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that food enrichment puts kids at risk of overdosing on some supplementary Vitamins because the level of extra vitamins is not usually appropriate for kids.

Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticide Act of 2020

Common Dreams: Democratic Bill Banning Toxic Pesticides in US Applauded as 'Much-Needed' Step to Protect Kids and the Planet

"The pesticide industry and chemical agriculture have for far too long been able to abuse legal loopholes allowing for the use of toxic pesticides that have not been adequately tested to make sure they are safe for people and the environment," said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group. Reprinted by Raw Story; EcoWatch

Daily Kos: "It Is What It Is, eh", no, It Is What It Is! Wednesday Good News Roundup!

"The pesticide industry and chemical agriculture have for far too long been able to abuse legal loopholes allowing for the use of toxic pesticides that have not been adequately tested to make sure they are safe for people and the environment," said Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group.

Nation of Change: New legislation to ban toxic pesticides helps protect children’s health

“Numerous studies show that existing EPA regulations for pesticides fail to protect children’s health,” Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., EWG vice president for science investigations, said. “The federal pesticide policy is in urgent need of reform.”

Duke Energy

E&E News -- EnergyWire: How electricity deepens the South's racial divide (subscription)

Not everyone agrees that Duke is doing all it can. The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, released a report challenging the company's stated priority to have affordable energy bills, saying the utility giant does more to hurt low-income residents than help them (Energywire, June 5).

Energy News Network: Two $80 million solar projects planned for Mississippi

An environmental group says Duke Energy needs to answer questions during an earnings call next week about its post-Atlantic Coast Pipeline renewable energy plans. (Environmental Working Group)

Fields of Filth: North Carolina CAFO Report

E&E News: Report finds lopsided impacts from N.C. poultry pollution (subscription)

The Environmental Working Group and Waterkeeper Alliance said expanding chicken and turkey operations are concentrated in three counties heavily populated with Black and Latino residents, suggesting the location of big livestock farms is a social justice issue as well as an environmental concern.

Algae Blooms

Boston Globe: As temperatures rise, a ‘nightmare’ of toxic algae plagues the hidden gems of Cape Cod

So far this summer, at least six dogs have died after exposure to toxic algae blooms in the United States, twice as many as during the same period last year, according to the Environmental Working Group.

Bug Repellents

Business Insider: The best bug sprays and repellents

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) does not recommend using any bug spray on children under six months of age but suggests treating clothes with permethrin. After a child reaches six months, picaridin is the safest choice.

E, The Environmental Magazine: Is DEET Safe?

According to the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG), exposure to high concentrations of DEET can irritate the eyes and in very rare cases impair the nervous system, with symptoms including seizures, tremors and slurred speech. 

California: Bill Banning PFAS in Firefighting Foam

Inside EPA: California Lawmaker Relaxes Bill Banning PFAS In Firefighting Foam (subscription)

The bill would also require notification for the presence of PFAS in the protective equipment of firefighters. The measure is co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, California Professional Firefighters, Clean Water Action and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Cleaners

Best Life: 30 Things You Had No Idea Could Cause Cancer

According to the Environmental Working Group, some laundry detergents contain 1,4-dioxane, a chemical that could potentially be cancerous. 

Newsmax Health: Hand Sanitizer Poisoning Calls Jump 70 Percent

The Environmental Working Group has published a list of safe and effective cleaners to fight the coronavirus.

Shape: The 9 Best Natural Cleaning Products, According to Experts

She suggests seeking out products that tout the EPA Safer Choice label or relying on a list of healthy cleaning products from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Cosmetics – Skin Deep

Kiwi: Balancing Your Hormones Naturally

Ditch your makeup and personal care products with EDCs in them (check the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to get started).

EWG VERIFIED®

NBC News Today: Why I'll only shave with a Billie Razor

The brand uses the Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Skin Deep Database to verify the safety of its products (ratings scale from one to 10, the lower the safer. 

Fast Company: How Versed’s Melanie Bender created a high-end skincare line with drugstore prices

They also avoided more than 1,300 known toxins commonly used in beauty products, allowing Versed to become one of the few mass-market skincare brands certified by the Environmental Working Group, which verifies product safety.

Farm Subsidies

Star Tribune (Minneapolis): Sen. Tina Smith attacks challenger Jason Lewis over 1998 stance on farm subsidies

“Farm subsidies really are a bipartisan issue,” said Anne Schechinger, an economic analyst for the Environmental Working Group, which tracks subsidies to farms among other things. “There are people on both sides of the aisle who are for them and against them.”

Food Scores

Eat This, Not That!: The 50 Unhealthiest Guilty Pleasure Foods on the Planet

Banned in the United Kingdom and Canada, potassium bromate is still lurking in some U.S. foods such as pizza, wraps, rolls, bread crumbs, and bagel chips, according to a 2015 analysis by the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG). 

Glyphosate in Hummus Report

The Fox Magazine: High Levels of Bayer’s Weedkiller Found in Hummus, Chickpeas

Independent laboratory tests commissioned by the Environmental Working Group found glyphosate, the notorious weedkiller linked to cancer, in more than 80 percent of non-organic hummus and chickpeas samples, and detected at far lower levels in several organic versions.

PFAS Legislation

Iosco County News-Herald (Mich.): PFAS reform provisions included in U.S. House DoD spending bill

More than a dozen reforms to reduce and remediate pollution from the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS were included the annual Department of Defense spending bill that passed the House last week, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

The Livingston Post (Mich.): Slotkin secures historic funding to fight PFAS

The letter was supported by the Environmental Working Group, the League of Conservation Voters, the National Resources Defense Council, Healthy Families, the Sierra Club and the Center for Environmental Health.

One Green Planet: New York, Colorado, & Michigan Enact New Protections Against “Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water

Still, forever chemicals lurk in water sources across the country. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s interactive map that tracks PFAS contamination across the country.

Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce

The Doctor Weighs In: What the “Organic” Label on Foods Really Mean

If you are interested in lowering pesticides in your food, choose organic for the following foods that have thinner skin and therefore, more pesticide residue. These foods are called the Dirty Dozen, published each year by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Reprinted by Medium

Sunscreens

Vogue: 7 Trustworthy Lip Balms With SPF That Will Protect Your Pout

Shielding the sun’s UV rays without any trace of white residue, Shiseido’s supercharged SPF 35 balm, which has the EWG seal of approval, enhances softness and luminosity with a boost of antioxidants.

The List: The Best Sunscreens of 2020

Jamie Comstock of MDSkin Lounge shares her top sunscreen choices from the Environmental Working Group list.

Tap Water Database

The Daily News (Salisbury, Mass.): Groveland responds to reports of discolored water

Despite the mineral discoloration, caused by iron and manganese in the ground, the Environmental Working Group of Washington, D.C., consistently rates Groveland's water among the cleanest public water supplies in Essex County, according to the town.

94.3 The Point (N.J.): Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Ocean County’s Tap Water

EWG's National Tap Water Quality Database comprises information about drinking water quality from just about 50,000 community water systems throughout the nation, including right here in New Jersey. 

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