EPA proposes repealing some mercury and greenhouse gas limits
By Brian Bienkowski
Federal regulators are proposing to repeal Obama- and Biden-era regulations that forced power plants to cut harmful pollutants, including mercury, lead and arsenic, as well as greenhouse gases, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lee Zeldin announced on Wednesday.
Alarm sounded over effort to redefine PFAS chemicals
By Shannon Kelleher
Efforts by an international chemistry industry group to create a new, narrower definition for PFAS chemicals appear to be politically motivated, and could lead to weaker regulations of hazardous compounds, according to a group of international scientists.
New study adds to evidence that glyphosate weed killer can cause cancer
By Carey Gillam
A new long-term animal study of the widely used weed killer glyphosate find fresh evidence that the herbicide, introduced by Monsanto in the 1970s, causes multiple types of cancer, and may do so at doses considered safe by regulators.
Air pollution messes up pregnant women’s metabolism, spurs preterm births
By Brian Bienkowski
Breathing in these tiny particles — largely caused by traffic, industry, burning fossil fuels and wildfire smoke — disrupts the molecules in pregnant women’s blood, raising the risk for preterm and early births, according to a new study from Emory University.
Dying before their day in court – Syngenta paraquat litigation drags on as Parkinson’s victims suffer
By Carey Gillam
In the nationwide legal battle between pesticide maker Syngenta and thousands of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease they blame on exposure to paraquat weed killer, plaintiffs are dying faster than they can get to trial.
Postcard from California: After the fires, is LA safe from buried toxic hazards? Don’t ask FEMA
FEMA’s denial of funds and the state’s lagging response have left toxics experts and homeowners fearful of what lies beneath the thousands of burned lots.
Swampbuster stands: Federal judge dismisses Iowa challenge to wetlands protections
By Shannon Kelleher
A federal judge last week sided with environmental groups and US regulators in a dispute with an Iowa landowner over a Farm Bill provision that protects wetlands.
“On the ropes,” Bayer seeks escape from costly Roundup litigation
Bayer executives have been warning in recent weeks that after losing billions of dollars to Roundup case settlements and jury awards, they may be ready to give up the fight.
Congress urged to address PFAS crisis threatening Great Lakes, public health
By Brian Bienkowski
A Wednesday congressional briefing, led by the nonprofit Northeast-Midwest Institute, was aimed at giving lawmakers and their staff a deeper understanding of the impacts of — and solutions for — PFAS in the Great Lakes region.
Can Environmentalism Make Sense Again?
At a time when climate-related headlines often read like obituaries for our planet, Earth Day 2025 offered something rare – a reason for hope. Not the naïve optimism that suggests salvation is assured, but rather compelling evidence that we can make people act for good when we get the messaging right.