Older Buildings May Pose Sizable Risk of PCB Exposure

September 30, 2009–EPA is warning about possible risks from PCBs in the caulking at some schools and older buildings. Are there some in your community?

Coal Ash Data Waiting for Local Reporters

September 23, 2009–Use this roundup of sources to write a probing story about the ash, slag, and sludge from coal-burning electric utilities — which containins heavy metals that can pollute water, and even bury people's houses.

Did EPA Hide Atrazine Risks?

September 9, 2009–The Huffington Post Investigative Fund uncovers EPA's failure to warn people in at least four states about unsafe levels of the weedkiller atrazine in their wellwater.

EPA Releases Bulk of Tri Data for 2008

September 2, 2009–This new resource can provide some good initial clues for important stories that in years past had to be deferred at least two more months, and sometimes far longer.

EPA Rule Targets Aircraft Deicing Runoff

September 2, 2009–A proposed rule for control of fluid-contaminated runoff at primary commercial airports would reduce the substantial threats to drinking water, surface water, air quality, wildlife, plants, and soils at airports and the surrounding areas.

Mercury Found in All Sampled Fish in U.S. Streams

September 2, 2009–USGS researchers have found that it may be impossible for people eating fish caught in US waters to avoid eating mercury-contaminated fish.

EPA Releases Raw TRI Data Early

August 26, 2009–The rawness of the data, which will be analyzed and revised by EPA at a later date, means that, for now, reporters will need to do more of their own ground-truthing in order to use it.

GM Dropout Endangers Vehicle Mercury Switch Recycling Program

August 19, 2009–The Associated Press reports "GM says mercury pollution not its problem anymore," defaulting on its dues payments just as the US government's cash-for-clunkers program is causing the retirement of many older vehicles.

More Lead Monitors Coming to a Facility or City Near You?

August 5, 2009–The Bush Administration, through the OMB, pressured EPA to water down lead monitoring requirements it had tightened in October 2008. Now EPA may get more or all of the monitors it originally wanted, near facilities that emit about a half ton of lead per year.

Without Warning System, Communities Blind to Toxic Disaster

July 29, 2009–A July 26 McClatchy story about an ammonia spill that killed one in South Carolina is similar to others that could be told in other U.S. states.