EJToday is SEJ's selection of new and outstanding stories on environmental topics in print and on the air, updated every weekday. SEJ also offers a free e-mailed digest of the day's EJToday postings, called SEJ-beat. SEJ members are subscribed automatically, but may opt out here. Non-members may subscribe here. EJToday is also available via RSS feed. Please see Editorial Guidelines for EJToday content.
"Herbicide Found in Water May Pose Greater Danger"
Wash Post, 08/25/2009"Drinking water containing a common herbicide could pose a greater public health risk than previously thought because regular municipal monitoring doesn't detect frequent spikes in the chemical's levels, according to a report released Monday by the Natural Resources Defense Council."
A 'Near Miss' Disaster at Citgo's Corpus Christi Refinery
Texas Observer, 08/25/2009A July 19 fire at Citgo's Corpus Christi refinery released deadly hydrogen fluoride, maimed one worker, and threatened a poor, largely minority community at its fenceline. Now larger questions are being asked -- about how authorities responded to it and whether it could have been prevented.
"Debating How Much Weed Killer Is Safe in Your Water Glass"
NYTimes, 08/24/2009New research suggests that atrazine, a popular weed killer found in some drinking water, causes birth defects and health problems at concentrations lower than previously thought.
"Lawsuit Questions Safety of Herbicide"
Peoria Journal Star, 08/24/2009"A class action lawsuit representing water districts throughout Illinois cites recent research contending atrazine in drinking water is unsafe at any level, even measurements well below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines."
"California Unveils New Goal for Controversial Carcinogen in Water"
EHN, 08/21/2009"In a long-awaited move designed to protect people from cancer, California officials on Thursday proposed a new health goal for chromium 6 in drinking water that is thousands of times lower than the amount contaminating some water supplies."
"DEQ To Help Polluter Seek Federal Break on Mercury Emission"
Portland Oregonian, 08/20/2009"Oregon's top environmental agency plans to side with one of the state's biggest polluters in its effort to seek an exemption from tough new federal rules controlling the release of toxic mercury."
"Judge Tosses Chemical Weapons Incineration Suit"
NYTimes, 08/20/2009"The Army on Wednesday won a court challenge to its plan to incinerate chemical weapons at storage sites around the country over objections from a watchdog group that says the practice releases toxic pollution."
Herbicide Glyphosate Deadly to Liver Cells
EHN, 08/19/2009"Very low doses of some types of the herbicide Roundup can disrupt human liver cell function; the formulations' toxicity may be tied to their 'inactive' ingredients rather than the active weed-killing ingredient glyphosate."
"Astroturf Will Get the Lead Out"
LA Times, 08/18/2009"The manufacturer settles an environmental lawsuit with California over lead used to keep the artificial turf green. AstroTurf and other turf-makers insist their product is safe in California."
"A Drifting Danger for Central Valley Schoolchildren"
LA Times, 08/17/2009"Despite regulations and laws to protect children, Fresno County authorities say school buses are still being exposed to pesticide clouds once or twice a year."
BC Parents Seek Ban on Spraying Pesticides on School Playing Fields
Vernon Morning Star, 08/17/2009"A Vernon parent is wondering why school playing fields are still being sprayed with pesticides as communities across the country have discontinued using chemicals to control weeds."
"Selenium Suspected in Cattle Deaths Near Idaho Mine"
AP, 08/17/2009"Eighteen cattle likely died of selenium poisoning near a southeastern Idaho phosphate mine, the latest livestock deaths in a region rich in phosphates where a legacy of pollution has killed horses and hundreds of sheep since the 1990s."
"Refining Chemical Cause of Concern"
Corpus Christi Caller, 08/17/2009"CORPUS CHRISTI -- A fire last month at a local Citgo refinery has focused attention on what is likely the most dangerous chemical used in the refining process."
"Sacramento Judge Tentatively Rules Against Bid To List Styrene as Carcinogenic"
Sacramento Bee, 08/14/2009"A Sacramento judge sided with the styrene industry and against state environmental officials on Wednesday in ruling that the chemical doesn't have to be listed under Proposition 65 as a cause of cancer."
"Battle Over Chemical Used to Make Non-Stick Pans Heats Up"
ENS, 08/07/2009DuPont will try to persuade New Jersey state drinking water regulators to go easy on cleanups of PFOA, a chemical used in non-stick pans -- even before the regulators hear scientific evidence from their own scientists.

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