Environmental Health and Safety


Chemical Producer Faces Fine for Environmental Violations at Fairfield Conn Facility

A chemical producer faces an EPA fine of $93,900 for failing to report the use and storage of hazardous chemicals at its Fairfield, Conn. facility, in violation of the federal right-to-know law.

Harmful Effects of CFL Bulbs to Skin

Inspired by a European study, a team of Stony Brook University researchers looked into the potential impact of healthy human skin tissue (in vitro) being exposed to ultraviolet rays emitted from compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.

Environmental Concerns Increasing Infectious Disease in Amphibians

Climate change, habitat destruction, pollution and invasive species are all involved in the global crisis of amphibian declines and extinctions, researchers suggest in a new analysis, but increasingly these forces are causing actual mortality in the form of infectious disease.

Glacier Break Creates Ice Island Twice Size of Manhattan

An ice island twice the size of Manhattan has broken off from Greenland's Petermann Glacier, according to researchers at the University of Delaware and the Canadian Ice Service.

New EU Biocides Regulation Takes Effect

The European Commission’s new regulation affecting biocidal products took effect July 17, with authorities there saying the rule means significant benefits for human health and the environment.

Soil Moisture and Hot Days Linked in a Global Study

For the first time scientists at ETH Zurich have examined globally the connection between soil moisture and extreme heat with measured data. Their study shows that precipitation deficits increase the probability of hot days in many regions of the world. The results will help to better assess heat risks.

Wildfire Risk Rising Worldwide, Lloyd's Warns

Citing recent wildfires in Colorado, Texas, Russia, Greece, and Chile and a report from climate scientists at the University of California, Berkeley and Texas Tech University, a top official at Lloyd’s said insurers face new challenges from wildfires in many parts of the world.

Enterprise Crude Pipeline Fined for Oil Spill in Scurry County Texas

The Environmental Protection Agency has fined Enterprise Crude Pipeline of Houston, Texas, $5,000 for violating the federal Clean Water Act.



Poisons On Public Lands Put Wildlife at Risk

Rat poison used on illegal marijuana farms may be sickening and killing the fisher, a rare forest carnivore that makes its home in some of the most remote areas of California, according to a team of researchers led by University of California, Davis, veterinary scientists.

Obama Administration Releases Report on Next Steps in Restoring the Everglades

The Obama Administration has released a report outlining the historic Federal investments and progress made in Everglades restoration under the leadership of President Obama, and announced $80 million in additional funding to support farmers and ranchers who voluntarily conserve wetlands on agricultural land in the Northern Everglades Watershed.

Citation Oil and Gas Corporation Fined for Oil and Salt Water Discharge Into Clear Boggy Creek

The Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Citation Oil and Gas Corporation of Houston, Texas, $22,000 for violating the federal Clean Water Act.

Viruses May Be Causing Coral Bleaching and Decline Around the World

Scientists have discovered two viruses that appear to infect the single-celled microalgae that reside in corals and are important for coral growth and health, and they say the viruses could play a role in the serious decline of coral ecosystems around the world.

Widespread Exposure to BPA Substitute Is Occurring from Cash Register Receipts

People are being exposed to higher levels of the substitute for BPA in cash register thermal paper receipts and many of the other products that engendered concerns about the health effects of bisphenol A, according to a new study.

Enbridge CEO Responds to NTSB Report About its Crude Oil Spill

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a tough report July 10 about the July 2010 spill of 843,000 gallons of crude oil from a 30-inch Enbridge Inc. pipeline near Marshall, Mich.

Nitrogen Dioxide Air Pollution Lessens in Parts of U.S. and Europe

Satellite measurements show that nitrogen dioxide in the lower atmosphere over parts of Europe and the US has fallen over the past decade.

Team PrISUm Races to the Start Line of the American Solar Challenge

Team PrISUm’s latest solar race car is already ahead of the last one. Over the past week, the team has taken Hyperion, this year’s cross-country race car, out for several test runs, including a trip to Grinnell.

Improving Air Quality With No-Till Cropping

Studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists show some no-till management systems can lower atmospheric levels of PM10—soil particles and other material 10 microns or less in diameter that degrade air quality—that are eroded from crop fields via the wind.

EPA Provides Grant to Puerto Rico Community Group

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing a $60,000 grant to ENLACE, an organization that serves communities along the Martin Pena Canal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to educate people about water quality in the canal and what can be done to reduce pollution.

Nitrogen Pollution Changing Rocky Mountain National Park Vegetation

A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder indicates air pollution in the form of nitrogen compounds emanating from power plants, automobiles and agriculture is changing the alpine vegetation in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Natural Climate Shifts Drove Coral Reefs to a Total Ecosystem Collapse

Climate change drove coral reefs to a total ecosystem collapse lasting thousands of years, according to a paper published this week in Science.

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