Is Corporate Ghostwriting of Journal Articles a Threat to Environmental Information?

March 9, 2011–Before picking up stories based on journals in the environmental sciences, reporters might pause to ask about those journals' policies on transparency and potential conflict of interest. And then ask about enforcement, and any relevant conflict declarations on the article in question.

Oil Fracking Poses Similar Concerns As Gas Fracking

March 2, 2011–EPA is conducting a study of fracking, no matter where it is used (e.g., gas shale, oil shale, coalbed methane, tight sands). Public comment is being allowed as the agency's Science Advisory Board meets March 7-8, 2011, to review the draft study plan. Initial study and research results are possible by the end of 2012, and a report may be published some time in 2014.

Food News Hooks: Safety, Healthfulness, Availability, Cost, and More

February 2, 2011–Much of your audience likely considers food a minor issue since they see it as generally available, affordable, healthy, environmentally benign, and unrelated to issues such as national security. You can help paint a more realistic picture for them, from the global to the local.

EPA Issues New Information on Old and New Fluorescent Light Bulbs

January 19, 2011–Some light bulbs require special handling to reduce toxic exposures. EPA's latest guidance for old fluorescent bulbs that contain PCBs and current generation CFLs that contain mercury both provide important fodder for consumer-awareness stories.

Chasing Molecules: Poisonous Products, Human Health, and the Promise of Green Chemistry

January 15, 2011–

Tiny Bits of Silver, Used As Bacteria-Eaters, Emerge As New Health Concern

January 15, 2011–Science Survey: In the Winter issue of SEJournal, Rae Tyson reports there may well be a connection between odor-resistant socks and an emerging health and environmental concern.

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.

Disease-Tracking Tool May Help Both People and Wildlife

November 10, 2010–This growing database may help you identify emerging problems and patterns, and supplement what government and university personnel can track.

Pavement Sealcoat Contaminates Lakes and Streams

November 10, 2010–A soon-to-be-published study has found elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, probable human carcinogens toxic to fish and other aquatic life, in waterways are originating from coal tar-based pavement sealcoats.