This week, EWG published a new interactive map showing that hexavalent chromium, the notorious “Erin Brockovich” carcinogen, contaminates tap water serving 251 million people. The chemical, also known as chromium-6, taints water in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
“Too many people are exposed to chromium-6 in their drinking water,” said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG. “Communities across the country have water with potentially harmful levels of this carcinogen.”
An EWG analysis of federal data from nationwide drinking water tests shows that the compound contaminates water supplies for more than 200 million Americans in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
On Tuesday, the European Union ban of the fragrance ingredient butylphenyl methylpropional, or lilial, in personal care products went into effect. In 2020, the EU’s European Commission classified lilial as a “reprotoxic,” a chemical that adversely affects fertility and fetal development. Lilial scores red in EWG’s Skin Deep® database, which includes 1,216 personal care products containing the toxic ingredient.
EWG formally intervened in a North Carolina utility proceeding to oppose a Duke Energy plan that would put rooftop solar power financially out of reach for many working- and middle-class residents.
“The days of Duke Energy dictating the price and source of North Carolina’s electricity are dwindling fast in the face of available clean, renewable and much more affordable options, like rooftop solar – and Duke’s executives know it,” said EWG President and co-founder Ken Cook.
In food news, EWG spotlighted on how many online grocery product listings are missing vital nutrition information. Additionally, EWG explained how alternative proteins and combatting the climate crisis go hand-in-hand.
And finally, a House Agriculture Committee hearing this week included crop organizations calling for increased subsidy guarantees when Congress renews the farm bill in 2023.
Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.
Algae blooms
“We're not seeing even close to all the recreational water bodies in the state of Illinois being tested every year,” said Anne Schechinger, Midwest director of the Environmental Working Group, a research and advocacy organization. “They're not tested necessarily every week throughout the summer, either.”
Amazon Aware
Amazon: Introducing Amazon Aware, a new line of everyday essentials
All Amazon Aware products have certifications that are part of the Climate Pledge Friendly program—and they can be purchased via the Climate Pledge Friendly storefront on Amazon.com or on Amazon Aware…Amazon Aware also uses aluminum bottles, glass jars, and refills to help reduce our use of single-use plastics. All products are certified as free from the Environmental Working Group’s list of known chemicals of concern.
Refinery29: Amazon Moves Towards Conscious Consumption With Its Aware Launch
Amazon has ensured that the products are free of “chemicals of concern,” a list of potentially toxic ingredients classified by the Environmental Working Group.
Shoppers can stock up on skincare and shower products formulated with safe ingredients that meet standards set by the Environmental Working Group.
California PFAS legislation
Inside EPA: After 35 Years, Prop. 65 Keeps Driving New Labeling Rules For Key Chemicals
Late last year, the OEHHA-overseen Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) approved the listing of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts as a reproductive toxicant under Prop. 65. According to the Environmental Working Group, PFNA is similar in chemical structure and uses to PFOA.
Inside EPA: California Bill Requires Reporting Of All PFAS Products Entering State
“Wastewater agencies are proactively looking for solutions to limit the amount of PFAS from entering our watersheds,” said Adam Link, executive director of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), a co-sponsor of the bill. “We need to have data about the sources of PFAS entering our waterways in order to make informed management decisions. AB 2247 is an important first step toward the end-goal of developing a comprehensive PFAS pollution prevention approach . . .”
In addition to CASA, the bill is being sponsored by Clean Water Action and Environmental Working Group.
Chlorpyrifos
The Fence Post: EPA denies objections to rule revoking all chlorpyrifos tolerances
Environmental Working Group President Ken Cook said, “Today the EPA has told the industry that it stands by its correct decision to ban uses of chlorpyrifos. Thankfully, as a result, current and future generations of children will no longer be exposed to this dangerous pesticide.”
Cleaning products
Mamavation: Best Non-Toxic Window & Glass Cleaners for Better Indoor Air Quality
Most manufacturers are now using a dye brand called Liquitint. SkinSafe doesn’t list any known problems with these dyes, however, EWG gives all Liquitint colors a grade of only “C” in their Guide to Healthy Cleaning since more information is needed about these “polymeric colorants.”
The Free Library: Eco laundry tips: tips to save energy, water and money.
Plus, concentrated detergent uses less water during the manufacturing process than traditional liquid detergents. Look for detergent brands that have earned an "A" rating from Environmental Working Group like Seventh Generation, Dr. Bronner's, Martha Stewart and Green Shield.
Skin Deep ® cosmetics database
Marie Claire - Australia: Explained: Why Does TikTok Think Olaplex Is Causing Fertility Issues?
Under the EWG Cosmetics Database, the product is listed as having developmental/reproductive toxicity, namely suspected damage to fertility or an unborn child. It is used in a variety of beauty products from moisturisers and skincare to perfumes and haircare.
Treehugger: The 8 Best Vegan Conditioners of 2022
We evaluated vegan conditioners using resources from third-party auditors, including the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which rates products based on the safety of their constituent ingredients. Other considerations, such as organic certifications, were also an important factor in our picks.
Healthline: How to Steer Clear of Toxic Makeup Ingredients
Alternatively, you can input the product into the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. The website will generate a rating to tell you its level of toxicity.
WTWO (Terre Haute, Ind.): Best Dove bar soap for face
Dove soap is listed on EWG’s Skin Deep Database as one of the most non-toxic and natural face washes.
Crop irrigation study
Months after public interest groups again raised their concerns about the expert panel’s makeup, they still had seen no response from the board, Bill Allayaud, California government affairs director for the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, said at a public meeting. “Is there a response to that yet?” he asked Rodgers.
EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory
Inside EPA: EPA Plans To Drop TRI Reporting Exemption For De Minimis PFAS Releases
Environmentalists have criticized the PFAS TRI data, with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) saying last summer when the preliminary 2020 TRI data were released that allowing industry to avoid reporting PFAS releases if they make up less than 1 percent of a chemical mixture “is clearly at odds with Congress’s intent” in adding perfluorinated chemicals to the program.
EWG VERIFIED®: Cosmetics
Emirates Woman: How this UAE skincare brand is innovating the beauty space in this region
Juana Skin was born to disrupt the luxury wellness market with a farm-to-skin approach. Our goal is to nurture and treat the skin’s microbiome, the ecosystem of bacteria on the skin’s surface, with EWG (Environmental Working Group) certified products, rather than to cover it up with toxic chemicals.
EWG VERIFIED®: Cleaners
Best Products: 20 Organic Cleaning Products That Are Safer for You and the Environment
For this guide, we looked to product verification from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to help inform our product research. The EWG is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that researches the ingredients of personal care, baby care, and cleaning products.
Farm subsidies
Mashed: Why Soybean Oil May Not Be As Nutritious As You Think
Soybeans are big agribusiness, and as such they have received big government subsidies to the tune of $44.9 billion between the years of 1995-2020 (via Environmental Working Group).
Healthy Living App
Healthline: Concerned About DMDM Hydantoin in Skin Care Products? Here’s What to Know
It never hurts to scan the label in the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Living app to check how it rates according to the organization’s rigorous standards for health and safety.
Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change + Health
Grist: Weddings are back. We can make them less wasteful.
According to the Environmental Working Group, a vegetarian menu can shrink an event’s food-related emissions by 75 percent, while vegan fare cuts them by 90 percent.
PFAS lawsuits
The toxic chemicals have contaminated groundwater at the Air Force Academy, an aquifer in southern El Paso County, the Gazette has reported. And a study released last year by the Environmental Working Group showed that they are used and discharged into water at 501 sites in Colorado and nearly 30,000 sites across the country.
PFAS in water
Inside EPA: Environmentalists Urge Speedy EPA PFAS Scrutiny Under Multiple Statutes
John Reeder, a former top EPA career official who is now vice president for federal affairs at Environmental Working Group (EWG), said EWG applauds EPA for making regulation of PFAS and consideration of EJ concerns a priority, but at the same time, EWG urges EPA to move faster on developing Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines (ELG) for PFAS.
“This should set off alarm bells for anyone relying on private well water,” Environmental Working Group (EWG) vice-president of government affairs Scott Faber told The Guardian. “One out of five people getting their water from wells could be drinking PFAS – that’s a big number.”
WisPolitics.com: U.S. Rep. Kind: Criticizes WI Natural Resources Board decision to weaken
PFAS standard in drinking water, refusal to set PFAS groundwater standards
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 328 military sites across the United States have PFAS contamination and over 200 million Americans are drinking contaminated water.
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce ™
Live Science: Grapes: Health benefits and nutrition facts
You want to eat grape skins — it's where the majority of the nutrients are. But grape skins can be covered in pesticides. Grapes rank sixth on the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list, which compiles the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides in the United States, which ranks them as worse than cherries or peaches, but below apples and strawberries (which are the worst offender).
Eat This, Not That!: 15 Cleanest Foods on Grocery Store Shelves, According to an Expert
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) put together a list of these items called the Clean Fifteen, which is included in the organization's annual Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Still, as Tamika D. Sims, PhD, senior director of the Food Technology Communications at the International Food Information Council suggests, the EWG Shopper Guide is slightly imperfect and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Health Digest: The Biggest Mistake You're Making When It Comes To Organic Foods
Additionally, every year the Environmental Working Group releases a list called the "Dirty Dozen," which includes foods with the highest amount of pesticides. The best foods to buy organic include strawberries, spinach, and apples.