Natl Air Toxics Report Gives Perspective, Despite Many Info Gaps

April 13, 2011–Every U.S. resident is at elevated risk of cancer from certain toxic substances in outdoor air, and about one-quarter of all residents are possibly at risk for noncancer health effects, according to EPA's update of the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) released March 11, 2011.

House De-Funds Greenhouse Gas Registry

February 23, 2011–As part of the continuing resolution (HR 1) the House approved largely along party lines an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) to cut an additional $8.5 million from the budget for EPA's Greenhouse Gas Registry.

Radon an Issue in Drinking Water as Well as Indoor Air

December 22, 2010–The President's Cancer Panel singled out radon, a radioactive gas found in water systems and leaching from soil into houses via foundation cracks, as one of America's "grossly underestimated" environmentally caused cancer risks.

EPA Asks for Comment on School Siting Guidelines

November 24, 2010–This guidance would provide insights and reduce threats when competing forces — such as land availability, cost, timing, vehicle and utility access, zoning, and developer cooperation — drive decision makers to build a school at a site that may pose a toxic threat to the children and staff.

EPA Releases Reports on Toxics at Selected Schools

November 24, 2010–Following a December 2008 USA Today report on outdoor air pollution at hundreds of schools, EPA began a monitoring process. Final reports for 21 (of the small number of schools selected) have now been released; the results are mixed.

New Ozone Standards Could Have Big Impact

October 27, 2010–If EPA's health-based primary standard is reduced from its current level of 75 parts per billion to 60 ppb, which is the low end of what the agency's science advisors have recommended, about 67% of the US population would live in monitored counties that would be out of compliance.

EPA Offers Air, Water, Sediment, Waste Data from Gulf Oil Spill

August 11, 2010–Reporters can find most of the environmental monitoring data EPA has collected on one webpage in a form that can be queried or downloaded.

Many Petroleum Companies Routinely Emit Significant Toxics

July 7, 2010–The University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute's "Toxic 100 Air Polluters" indicates 4 of the worst 12 air polluters are petroleum companies. You can use this resource to look at other groupings of companies, such as utilities, or drug, chemical, or metals manufacturers, or to look at any of the individual companies.

Pollution Is Significant in National Parks

July 7, 2010–Both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (primarily from combustion sources) and pesticides are pervasive in 8 diverse US national parks, according to two Environmental Science & Technology studies by international teams of university and government agency researchers.

EPA Lists Counties Likely To Violate Lead Standard

June 23, 2010–Counties, currently in 12 states with more likely to be added next year as a result of new lead monitors, must take steps within five years to meet the standard.