Environmental Health

"Lack of Power Hinders Assessment of Toxic Pollution Caused by Ida"

"A fertilizer plant battered by Hurricane Ida belched highly toxic anhydrous ammonia into the air. Two damaged gas pipelines leaked isobutane and propylene, flammable chemicals that are hazardous to human health. And a plastic plant that lost power in the storm’s aftermath is emitting ethylene dichloride, yet another toxic substance."

Source: NYTimes, 09/02/2021

"Killer Heat Forces Cities to Adapt Now or Suffer"

"Climate change abruptly gripped North America’s Pacific Coast at the start of summer, setting new heat records by staggering margins across the region’s cities and towns. ... The sudden and extreme heat disaster — matched by other recent heat waves in the Southeastern U.S., Northern Africa, Western Asia, Japan, and Europe — means many temperate cities are in for significantly warmer conditions."

Source: Bloomberg Green, 09/01/2021

Reports Of Environmental Problems Caused By Ida Begin To Trickle In

"Information about potential environmental threats caused by Hurricane Ida have been slow in coming, but initial reports to the Coast Guard's National Response Center and the state Department of Environmental Quality confirm there were releases of crude oil, fuel oils and a variety of chemicals in numerous locations in southeastern Louisiana on the day before and the day of the storm."

Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune, 09/01/2021

EPA Falsifying Risk Assessments For Dangerous Chemicals: Whistleblowers

"Whistleblowers say the US Environmental Protection Agency has been falsifying dangerous new chemicals’ risk assessments in an effort to make the compounds appear safe and quickly approve them for commercial use."

Source: Guardian, 08/31/2021

"Biden Opens New Federal Office for Climate Change, Health and Equity"

"Amid deadly heat waves and new evidence showing that wildfire smoke may contribute to premature births, the Biden administration is creating a new federal office to address the health consequences of climate change and their disproportionate effects on poor communities."

Source: NYTimes, 08/31/2021

"Hurricane Ida Forces Three Damaged Hospitals To Evacuate Patients"

"Hospitals in Southeast Louisiana, already burdened with extremely high numbers of covid patients, took a beating from Hurricane Ida, with roofs ripped off or damaged, leaving water pouring inside and forcing three bayou-country hospitals ravaged by the eye of the storm to evacuate their patients. Patients at a fourth hospital were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard."

Source: Washington Post, 08/31/2021

91% Of Pa. Schools That Tested Water Found Lead. Only 9% Removed It

"Many Pennsylvania school districts have detected lead and other contaminants in their drinking water and documented problems with mold and radon in school buildings—but not all of them removed the hazards, according to a new report."

Source: EHN, 08/30/2021

"Group’s Allegations of Destroying Records Spur EPA Investigation"

"The EPA says it will fully investigate allegations from a public interest group that it illegally destroys the original versions of its internal communications and draft documents once they’re edited, according to an agency spokesman."

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 08/30/2021

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