FDA Knew About Mercury in Corn Syrup — And Kept Silent

January 28, 2009–In spite of one of its own scientists co-authoring a 2005 study finding toxic mercury in high fructose corn syrup, the Food and Drug Administration gave a green light to the corn industry's campaign advertising corn syrup as "natural."

Perchlorates Offer Early Test of EPA Openness

January 28, 2009–Incoming EPA administrator Lisa Jackson faces an immediate test on perchlorate secrecy, as the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejects EPA's argument for FOIA exemption. Will EPA and the Justice Department appeal, even though Obama urges agency openness?

Concern Resurfaces for Drinking Water and Food Contaminant

January 21, 2009–In one of many last-minute actions, the Bush administration delayed a decision on a drinking water standard for the contaminant perchlorate (used in rocket fuel, explosives, fireworks, and many other industrial products, and also occurs naturally), but issued a temporary advisory recommendation. This has immediate implications for at least 31 large US utilities, and perhaps hundreds more.

Review: Diagnosis: Mercury, Money, Politics & Poison

January 15, 2009–Written by Jane Hightower; reviewed by Jennifer Weeks.

Review: Poisoned Profits: The Toxic Assault on Our Children

January 15, 2009–Written by Alice and Philip Shabecoff; reviewed by Kathleen Regan.

Science Survey: Epigenetics...Understanding Chemicals' Newly Recognized Future Effects

January 15, 2009–New research shows epigenetic markers can be affected by food, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, causing problems for generations not yet conceived.

Coal Ash Stories Untold in Many Communities

January 7, 2009–The December 2008 coal-ash spill at a Tennessee power plant has been making headlines for two weeks — but few journalists realize there are coal-ash stories to be unearthed in many communities. Here are some clues for finding them.

Comments Sought On Formaldehyde In Wood Products

January 7, 2009–Concerns over emissions from formaldehyde in pressed-wood products have been building for many years. California's new rules addressing the problem went into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Now EPA is looking at following suit.

Industry Keeps Secret the Gas-Drilling Toxins Seeping into Drinking Wells

December 17, 2008–A series of drinking-water contamination incidents have raised doubts about EPA's safety claims regarding hydraulic fracturing in domestic gas wells. And it's hard for people to get to the bottom of those claims when the identity of the chemicals injected during the process is protected as a "trade secret."

Gulf War Illness: It's Real, Afflicts About 200K Vets, Says Panel

November 26, 2008–As the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan drag on, new light has been shed on the environmental health impacts of the 1991 Gulf War. On Nov. 17, 2008, the Congressionally-mandated Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses released a major report which concluded that from 175,000 to 210,000 of the nearly 700,000 U.S. veterans of the first Gulf War suffer from Gulf War illness.