This week, EWG detailed the many years of Environmental Protection Agency inaction on the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos, which has led to a number of states stepping up to protect their citizens. On Thursday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the agency to take immediate action to reduce the risk of exposing children to the pesticide, which will likely result in a ban or phaseout of chlorpyrifos from future use on fruits and vegetables.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced on Tuesday that the agency has created a new council to accelerate and coordinate efforts to reduce and remediate the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
“We’re glad to see the administrator continues to make PFAS a priority, and we ultimately need a whole-of-government approach to PFAS that includes the Department of Defense, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, not just the EPA,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs.
The Biden EPA also signaled it would allow California to enact tighter tailpipe emissions standards, a reversal of the Trump era’s long battle with the state over its stringent fuel efficiency standards for cars and SUVs.
On Tuesday, May 4, the Duke Energy Accountability Coalition’s People’s Commission will hold its second hearing to shine a light on Duke’s resistance to clean energy and how that stands in the way of combatting the climate emergency.
EWG took a deep dive into the recent California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment study that shows links between artificial food dyes and hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children.
EWG also detailed the recent lawsuit filed by the attorney general of Washington, D.C., that targets baby food manufacturer Beech-Nut for making false claims about harmful heavy metals in its products.
Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.
Children’s health
The placenta in humans has historically been viewed as a reliable barrier protecting the fetus from potential dangers lurking in the mother’s bloodstream. This fantasy has been shattered by shocking revelations in recent decades, like a 2005 report from Environmental Working Group that umbilical cord blood of U.S. babies contains an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants.
New EPA PFAS council and low-volume exemption
E&E News (subscription): 'Urgent': Regan launches total PFAS review, council
"I'm glad to see [Regan] say that a council is no substitute for quick action, such as a hazardous substance designation, a drinking water standard, restrictions on industrial releases, a moratorium on new PFAS and a moratorium on the disposal of PFAS wastes," said Faber, adding that the news is a positive sign after EPA failed to take sweeping action on PFAS issues for more than two decades across multiple administrations.
E&E News (subscription): EPA narrows exemption panned as PFAS loophole
"It's good news that the EPA has closed this loophole, which has allowed too many new PFAS into commerce without adequate safety reviews," said David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group. According to EWG, almost 500 PFAS compounds have received exemptions in the last two decades. Contamination from low-volume PFAS has been reported in places like New Jersey.
Chemical and Engineering News: US EPA cuts off path for quick marketing of new PFAS
Collectively, manufacturers parlayed the four types of exemption requests to introduce 490 PFAS into US commerce since 2000, the Environmental Working Group says.
Michigan Advance: EPA closes loophole on toxic PFAS
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) said 490 PFAS compounds have received exemptions since 2000. One hundred and seven were denied.
North Carolina Policy Watch: Under new administrator Regan, EPA closes loophole on toxic PFAS
The Environmental Working Group said 490 PFAS compounds have received exemptions since 2000. One hundred and seven were denied.
Black farmers and COVID-19 relief payments
A study by the nonprofit activist organization Environmental Working Group earlier this year found that of the $9.2 billion in bailout money set aside for farmers through October of last year by the USDA, almost 97 percent went to white farmers. Reprinted by MSN News Canada, DNuyz, The World News
Hill Reporter: Ex-Trump Aides File Lawsuit Saying Biden Discriminates Against White Farmers
Last year under Trump the U.S. Department of Agriculture set aside $9.2 billion in pandemic aide for farmers. A study by the Environmental Working Group found that 97 percent of that money went to white farmers. It also showed that white farmers were paid about four times more than Black farmers.
Cleaning products
MindBodyGreen: The 12 Best Laundry Detergents For 2021 + How To Wash Sustainably
Eco-friendly: Contain ingredients that have a low risk of aquatic toxicity, according to the Environmental Working Group's research databas
Treehugger: The 8 Best Eco-Friendly Soaps of 2021
We’ve also considered the rating (where available) by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) who ranks products based on the toxicity of their chemical ingredients.
A study by the Environmental Working Group that examined 2,000 popular household cleaning products, found that just seven per cent adequately disclosed their contents.
Consumer guides
CNET: Best full mattresses in 2021
It's constructed of cotton, wool and natural latex (or you can opt for the vegan mattress, which is the same sans wool) -- which is the safest combination recommended by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). It's also free of polyester, polyurethane foam and fire retardants. But equally importantly: it's comfortable and supportive too.
EWG VERIFIED®: Cosmetics
Who What Wear: 5 Ways to Make Your Beauty Routine More Eco-Friendly
EWG is another certification that helps the consumer understand the ingredients in their products from a clean and safe perspective.
Food additives
New Hampshire Union Leaders: Dodging risky food additives; sleep deprivation and overeating
There are a lot of additives and ingredients in foods that have a negative effect on immune strength. Added sugars and trans fats, for example. But you may be referring to a new Environmental Working Group study that reveals foods such as processed snacks, popcorn, frozen fish and chicken nuggets contain a preservative designed to prevent or delay oxidation called tert-butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ. Reprinted by Texarkana Gazette Online (Texarkana, Ark.), Houston Chronicle Online, Hometown Focus; The Garden City Telegram (Kan.)
EWG Healthy Living App
HerCampus: Sustainable Skincare: Being More Green in Your Routine
Using an app, like EWG Healthy Living or CosmEthics, that rates a product’s environmental effects and ethical practices can help you make informed choices about your skincare and beauty.
Nitrates in water
That reality, Environmental Working Group Midwest Director Jamie Konopacky said, means that nitrate contamination should be “an issue that unites all of us,” given that individuals aren’t “safe just because you rely on a community water system.”
PFAS
The Guardian: How US chemical industry lobbying and cash defeated regulation in Trump era
In other cases, proposed bills don’t present a serious threat to companies, and lobbying costs for those are largely “lobbyists running their meters to justify their existence”, said Scott Faber, a lobbyist with the Environmental Working Group, which advocates for stricter regulations. Reprinted by Head Topics
Politico: Chemical Producers Launched Lobbying, Spending Blitz to Defeat Regulations
“However, finance records broadly show that industry focused on killing multiple proposals that could’ve forced them to cover the astronomical costs for cleaning up widespread PFAS pollution. In other cases, proposed bills don’t present a serious threat to companies, and lobbying costs for those are largely ‘lobbyists running their meters to justify their existence,’ said Scott Faber, a lobbyist with the Environmental Working Group, which advocates for stricter regulations.”
Treehugger: Wendy's Promises to Ditch Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Packaging by End of Year
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) cited a 2008 FDA study that found "fluorochemical paper additives do migrate to food during actual package use," and the presence of oil and grease "can significantly enhance migration of a fluorochemical from paper."
PFAS Accountability Act: Medical monitoring for PFAS
The bill would allow US residents who’ve been exposed to PFAS to file federal suits seeking reimbursement for medical monitoring to detect health problems related to their exposure. Currently, only Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Utah, and West Virginia allow such lawsuits, according to the Environmental Working Group, which advocates for strong regulation of PFAS.
PFAS Action Act
The legislation has been endorsed by the Environmental Working Group, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Consumer Reports, Green Science Policy Institute, League of Conservation Voters, Environmental Law & Policy Center, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Food & Water Watch, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
PFAS in water
WUSA-TV (District of Columbia): EPA director promises action on forever chemicals
The Occoquan Reservoir provides drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people across Northern Virginia. It is potentially the source for PFAS, flirting with the EPA’s recommended limit of 70 parts per trillion that were found in some of the 19 tap water samples collected across the region last month by the Environmental Working Group.
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
This is an important point because in 2021, strawberries still lead the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list of produce containing the highest levels of pesticides, which can be harmful not just to consumers, but to the farmworks who spend time in the fields and pick the berries. Reprinted by Silicon Valley News, Mercury New (San Jose, Calif.), The Reporter, Santa Cruz Sentinel (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Lawn & Garden Retailer Online: Organic Home Gardening Continues to Rise
Some of the most popular seeds sold by Seeds of Change are also those commonly found on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen, a roundup of the most pesticide-contaminated fresh produce when not grown organically. Lettuce, kale, spinach, peppers and tomatoes, all found on the list, can be easily grown at home starting with organic seeds and managed without pesticides, better for those who eat the final product and the environment overall.
EWG Guide to Sunscreens
Who What Wear: People Can't Stop Adding These Popular Summer Beauty Products to Their Cart
This natural sunscreen is top-rated by the Environmental Working Group. The mineral formula has 23% non-nano zinc oxide and is reef-safe.
Tap water database
Fairfax News (Fairfax County, Va.): Is your drinking water safe?
First, you should determine what is in your water. I use www.ewg.org/tapwater. Whatever filter you buy, you want to make sure its claims are verified by an independent lab to ensure that it in fact removes the contaminants that it claims.