Two Agencies Hide Neglect of Coal-Dam Safety with Secrecy

June 17, 2009–US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers say they "cannot make the list of 'high hazard' coal ash impoundment sites public," even though risk to communities exists -- like the December 2008 pond failure at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee.

Limited Evidence Raises Red Flags About Synthetic Turf

June 10, 2009–Users of athletic fields, parks, and playgrounds with artificial turf may face risks from dozens of potentially harmful synthetic chemicals in the ground-up recycled tires used to make it.

"Crime Scene Cleanup" in Kelly AFB Toxics Case

June 3, 2009–New evidence indicates the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry fails to protect communities from dangers such as the now-disappearing plumes of toxic groundwater carrying cancer-causing chemicals far beyond the Kelly Air Force Base near San Antonio, TX.

FDA Mulls Putting Public's Health Above Companies' Trade Secrets

June 3, 2009–NYT: "The goal is to open up a system in which the agency failed to inform the public that a widely prescribed heartburn drug was especially toxic to babies; that a diabetes medicine and a painkiller increased heart attack risks; and that antidepressants increased suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and teenagers."

New Jersey DEP Proposes Gag Order on Science Info

June 3, 2009–The Newark Star-Ledger reports a move by a top New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection official to prevent public disclosure of scientific information that should be public until political appointees without science credentials and press officers have approved it.

Feds Boost Lead-Reduction Effort in Houses

May 27, 2009–About $100 million in funding is earmarked for 53 projects in 20 states and the District of Columbia by the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

Toolbox: RMP*Comp Projects Chemical Disaster Scenarios

May 20, 2009–Use this free software tool, downloadable from EPA, to calculate how much injury a chemical spill could cause.

WV Reporter Uses FOIA To Probe Drilling Waste

May 20, 2009–Billy Wolfe, of the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram, learns more about the chemicals in the hydraulic fracturing fluid used by gas-drilling companies.

Public Risks from Chemical Facilities Aren't Just Theoretical

May 13, 2009–Accidents and criminal actions at private and government facilities continue to threaten millions of people. Find the accident history in counties you cover.

Congress Chiefs Want Probe into Secret Bayer Poison Gas

May 7, 2009–House Energy Chair Waxman and Senate Commerce Chair Rockefeller call for investigation of whether Bayer could use safer chemicals at its Institute WV plant.