Articles by Melanie Benesh

Congress shouldn’t create a polluter holiday for ‘forever chemicals’

With more than 2,800 contaminated sites across the U.S., pollution from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS has created an urgent national health crisis. But rather than hold the polluting...

EWG to FTC urging stronger rules restricting misleading low carbon claims

Attached are EWG comments asking the Federal Trade Commission for stronger rules restricting misleading low carbon claims in its upcoming update of the Green Guides.

Fact versus fiction: ‘Forever chemicals’ hazardous substance designation is not a ban

If the Environmental Protection Agency designates the two best studied “forever chemicals” called PFAS as hazardous substances, manufacturers will not be forced to stop using them.

Department of Defense fights states over cleanup of toxic ‘forever chemicals’

For years, states have led the way in addressing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, with six setting strict drinking water limits for the chemicals and at least eight using their power under...

Fast-food restaurants should ditch packaging coated in ‘forever chemicals’

Some fast-food restaurants are moving quickly to get the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS out of food packaging, but others have not committed to phasing them out.

EWG analysis: Almost all new food chemicals greenlighted by industry, not the FDA

Nearly 99 percent of all food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlighted for use by the food and chemical industry, according to a new EWG analysis – not by the Food and Drug Administration...

EWG comments on EPA's preliminary plan 15

Attached is EWG and other groups’ comments on the EPA’s Preliminary Effluent Limitations Guidelines Plan 15.

For decades, the FDA knew ‘forever chemicals’ were harmful but failed to act

The Food and Drug Administration has understood since 1966 that the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS could increase cholesterol and cause liver lesions, E&E reported today.

Is your CBD latte safe? Don’t ask the FDA

The use of cannabidiol, or CBD, in food and drink has exploded since Congress legalized hemp production and delisted CBD as a controlled substance, in 2018. Today it’s added to lattes, tea, kombucha...

Halloween horror led to stricter food safety law – it’s time for another update

In the fall of 1950, a Halloween nightmare was unfolding. There was something in the candy and it was making kids sick. Across the country, dozens of children were suffering from severe diarrhea and...

Despite EPA roadmap, Congress must tackle industrial ‘forever chemicals’ discharges

The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday issued a long-awaited road map for tackling the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. But it falls short on industrial discharges of PFAS, so Congress...

FAA will likely miss looming deadline for letting airports switch to PFAS-free foam

The Federal Aviation Administration has a duty to let airports use firefighting foams that don’t contain the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, but instead it wants to blow past a looming...

EPA’s plan to regulate industry ‘forever chemicals’ discharges falls short

The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to regulate some industrial discharges of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS into our drinking water falls short of what’s needed to turn off...

Local fire departments need Congress’ help for switch to PFAS-free foam and gear

Firefighters are among those most highly exposed to harms from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS through their protective gear and firefighting foam, but many local fire departments lack the...

Fact check: Hazardous substance designation for ‘forever chemicals’ is not a ban

Some lawmakers are spinning wild tales about the dire consequences that could result if legislation passes that would jumpstart the cleanup of the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS. The facts...

Steer clear of formaldehyde-releasing hair-smoothing treatments

For more than a decade, the Food and Drug Administration and the cosmetics industry have known that keratin hair-smoothing treatments – commonly called “Brazilian blowout” treatments – release unsafe...

EWG response to EPA's ANPRM of “Clean Water Act Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and Synthetic Fibers Point Source Category.”

Attached are comments EWG filed in response to an EPA advance notice of proposed rulemaking, “Clean Water Act Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and...

Comments From 30 Organizations to the EPA on Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS Chemicals

The Environmental Working Group, along with more than 30 environmental and public health organizations, submitted comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s interim guidance on the destruction...

Watch for This Harmful Chemical in Your Soda

Most people know that soda contains sweetener and carbonation, but they may not be aware of an ingredient in some soft drinks that can harm the nervous system – brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, a...

Biden Must Keep Pledge To Designate ‘Forever Chemicals’ as Hazardous Substances

In his campaign's environmental justice plan, President-elect Joe Biden made a historic commitment to tackle contamination from the toxic fluorinated “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. One critical...