Displaying 151 - 175 of 272
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Blog post
Changes for the better: EPA looks out for workers in revised risk finding for HBCD
March 9, 2022 | Samantha Liskow, Lead Counsel, HealthBy Samantha Liskow, Lead Counsel, Health EPA has started to fulfill its promise to take another look at many of the chemical risk findings made during the Trump Administration. First up was “HBCD,” a collection of flame retardants present in many goods, including building insulation, furniture, and electronics. In its revised risk determination for the …More on:
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Blog post
EPA can incorporate cumulative impacts in its chemical assessments right now
March 8, 2022 | Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals PolicyBy Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy, and Lariah Edwards, Ph.D., EDF-George Washington University Postdoctoral Fellow EPA recently asked its Science Advisory Board to provide advice on how it can incorporate cumulative impact assessments into its decisions making and on research to support cumulative impact assessments. At a public meeting of the SAB on March …More on:
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Blog post
Understanding PFAS: Why a broad, transparent PFAS Testing Strategy is needed
March 2, 2022 | Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals PolicyMaria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy; Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst; and Lariah Edwards, Post-Doctoral Fellow EDF this week sent EPA a letter identifying opportunities for the agency to improve the effectiveness and transparency of its strategy for testing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). EPA unveiled its National PFAS Testing Strategy (Testing Strategy) last fall, laying …More on:
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Blog post
Mercury pollution from coal plants is still a danger to Americans. We need stronger standards to protect us.
February 28, 2022Mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants is extremely dangerous — it causes brain damage in babies and is associated with heart disease and many other serious health issues. Fortunately, mercury pollution has fallen significantly since EPA finalized the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in 2012. However, despite the success of the standards in reducing pollution …More on:
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Blog post
The new FDA Commissioner has a full plate; here are three steps he can take to keep focused on food safety too
February 22, 2022 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsTom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals. The U.S. Senate today voted to return Robert Califf to the role of FDA Commissioner, bringing needed leadership to an agency that plays a vital role in protecting public health. While Dr. Califf faces historic challenges in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic, he also …More on:
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Press release
Groups petition FDA to restrict Bisphenol A in food packaging
January 27, 2022 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsEDF and coalition of experts petition FDA to set strict new limits on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging and plastics that contact food.More on:
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Blog post
Did your kids have a hyper holiday? Why those vibrantly colored treats need a warning label
January 14, 2022Terry Hyland, Communications Manager Many parents have experienced that foreboding sense of what might come next as they watch their child indulge in a decadent treat at a holiday gathering or birthday party. All that sugar means things are about to get a little crazy, right? While sugar has its own issues, perhaps the source …More on:
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Blog post
In latest act of leadership, Cincinnati votes to cover the cost of replacing lead pipes for all residents
January 13, 2022 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsTom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director The Cincinnati City Council has voted unanimously to authorize Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) to pay 100% of the cost of replacing private lead service lines (LSLs) that bring drinking water to customers’ homes and other buildings. The Council’s December vote supports its larger strategy to “provide quality healthy housing …More on:
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Blog post
Civil rights complaint draws attention to the discriminatory impacts of common lead pipe replacement practice
January 13, 2022Jennifer Ortega, Research Analyst, Environmental Health This past Wednesday, Rhode Island’s Childhood Lead Action Project (CLAP) led a coalition of groups in submitting a civil rights complaint to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against the Providence Water Supply Board (Providence Water), pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The administrative complaint highlights the discriminatory …More on:
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Blog post
EPA’s Significant New Use Rules under TSCA must reflect its policy goals
January 6, 2022 | Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst, Environmental HealthLauren Ellis, Research Analyst, Environmental Health We recently submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a subset of proposed Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) published by the New Chemicals program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). We commend EPA for issuing these proposed SNURs. Our review of some of the SNURs, however, raised concerns about chemical releases to the environment, risks to consumers,More on:
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Blog post
Broken GRAS: It’s time for FDA to wake up and protect consumers from dubious ingredients
January 5, 2022 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsMaricel Maffini, consultant and Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director This blog is the third in our Broken GRAS series where we explore how the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) voluntary notification system for novel chemicals added to food works in practice and why it is broken. In this blog, we examine …More on:
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Blog post
An environmental justice case study: how lead pipe replacement programs favor wealthier residents
January 5, 2022 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsTom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director and Lindsay McCormick, Program Manager Dr. Karen Baehler and her team at American University’s Center for Environmental Policy, with support from EDF, recently published a peer-reviewed case study highlighting the environmental justice issues that arise when water utilities require property owners to pay when they replace lead service lines (LSLs) that connect …More on:
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Blog post
Broken GRAS: Scientists’ safety concerns are hampered by FDA’s inactions on food chemicals
December 30, 2021 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsMaricel Maffini, consultant, and Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director A federal district court this fall ruled that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to allow food companies to make Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) safety determinations for novel chemicals added to food without notifying the agency. The decision followed a lawsuit by …More on:
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Blog post
Eight steps to strengthen FDA’s Closer to Zero plan to reduce toxic metals in children’s food
December 30, 2021 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsTom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer Chemicals EDF this week submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), applauding the agency’s recent activities related to its Closer to Zero Action Plan for reducing toxic elements in children’s food and outlining specific steps to strengthen the FDA’s action. The agency’s November 18 public meeting on the …More on:
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Press release
EPA Proposes Updated Approach for Reviewing Scientific Studies of Chemical Risks
December 21, 2021EDF Statement from Senior Director of Chemical Policy, Maria DoaMore on:
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Press release
White House Unveils Lead Action Plan
December 16, 2021 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsThe Biden-Harris Administration announced a broad action plan across ten federal agencies to replace all lead pipes in the country within a decade.More on:
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Blog post
Flint area residents raise the bar on raising environmental justice concerns
December 15, 2021 | Ugbaad Ali, Community Environmental Health Tom Graff FellowUgbaad Ali, Community Environmental Health Tom Graff Fellow We all deserve to live in a healthy and vibrant community, yet many residents of Flint, Michigan, are overburdened by a lifetime of toxic exposures and environmental injustice. Recently, a coalition of environmental justice groups and community organizers in Flint used their combined power to organize against …More on:
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Blog post
Helping EPA identify and protect those at greater risk from chemicals undergoing TSCA risk evaluation
December 15, 2021 | Jennifer McPartland, Former Senior Scientist, Health ProgramJennifer McPartland, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist, and Lariah Edwards, Ph.D., is an EDF-George Washington University Postdoctoral Fellow EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently completed a five-day “journey to justice” tour, highlighting communities across three US states that have been adversely affected by decades of chemical and air pollution. EPA’s focus on protecting those whose health is …More on:
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Blog post
EPA’s updated guidance highlights property management companies’ responsibilities under the Lead-Based Paint Rule
December 7, 2021 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to withdraw two answers to frequently asked questions about the responsibilities of property management companies (PMCs) to comply with the agency’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). EDF applauds the agency’s action, which is consistent with the intent of the rule. The agency’s Federal Register notice explaining …More on:
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Blog post
Seven ways we can turn off the tap on PFAS pollution
December 2, 2021 | Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst, Environmental HealthThis blog is adapted from an Op-Ed originally published by Environmental Health News on Nov. 23 and is authored by Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst and Maricel Maffini, consultant. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of highly persistent chemicals used in hundreds of products. Many PFAS are toxic and have been detected in the …More on:
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Blog post
Industry-requested risk evaluation for D4 under TSCA: EPA has improved its scoping approach, but must go further
December 2, 2021 | Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst, Environmental HealthLauren Ellis, Research Analyst, Environmental Health Earlier this week, EDF submitted comments to EPA on the agency’s draft scope for the manufacturer-requested risk evaluation of D4 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This is EPA’s first draft scope under the Biden Administration – providing an opportunity to see where improvements have been made and …More on:
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Blog post
New Study Highlights Lead in Water at Child Care Facilities and Holes in Current EPA Rule
December 2, 2021 | Lindsay McCormick, Senior Program Manager, Safer ChemicalsLindsay McCormick, Program Manager This month, EDF published an article along with collaborators from Auburn University and Mississippi State University, based on a pilot we conducted in partnership with local organizations[1] to comprehensively test and remediate lead in water at 11 child care facilities in Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi and Ohio. The study found that while …More on:
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Blog post
FDA reinstates ban on lead added to hair dyes
December 2, 2021 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsTom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director On October 7, FDA announced that it is reinstating its ban on lead acetate as the active ingredient in hair dyes that hide grey hair when used regularly. In 1980, the agency approved the chemical for hair dyes. In response to a color additive petition from the Environmental Defense Fund …More on:
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Blog post
Not goodbye, but see you later
December 2, 2021 | Richard Denison, Former Lead Senior ScientistRichard Denison, Ph.D., is a Lead Senior Scientist. After nearly 35 years at EDF, I am retiring this week. While I have had the privilege of working on many things in my time at EDF, for the last 20+ years my main focus has been on the Toxic Substances Control Act: making the case for why …More on:
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Blog post
Broken GRAS: Undermining the safety of dietary supplements and food
December 2, 2021 | Tom Neltner, Senior Director, Safer ChemicalsTom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director and Maricel Maffini, consultant Over the years, we have seen a disturbing approach being taken by some dietary supplement companies to circumvent the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight. Their strategy undermines both dietary supplement safety and food safety. These companies are leveraging FDA’s decision to allow manufacturers to secretly …More on: