Is FCC Slow To Reveal Cell Phone Risks?

June 1, 2011–A World Health Organization panel finds cell phone radiation might present a cancer risk , and spotlights ongoing reluctance by the Federal Communications Commission to share publicly all the health information it has on the subject — and possible complicity with industry in hushing the research.

Cool But Unsung EPA Databases Can Help Environmental Reporters

May 18, 2011–There has been a data renaissance going on at EPA for the past two years, and not all reporters have gotten the news that data-driven reporting has become a time-saver instead of a time-suck.

Toolbox: Data Science Toolkit

April 20, 2011–If you spend a lot of time researching things on the Internet as part of your reporting, the online Data Science Toolkit, which is especially handy with geographic data, and a book by Pete Warden could make parts of your job a lot easier.

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.

Groups Challenge Canada's Secrecy on Breeding Proposal for GM Salmon

December 15, 2010–A coalition of some 60 environmental, fisheries, and consumer groups want to know whether the Canadian government is undertaking a risk assessment before allowing AquaBounty's genetically engineered eggs to be grown on Prince Edward Island.

More Cool Data Tools from EPA

November 17, 2010–TRI-CHIP assembles a great deal of toxicity and hazard information from many sources and makes it easy to search. TRI.NET allows you to construct complex queries into the Toxics Release Inventory database, and to map the results in ways that can be used for publishable graphics or layered on maps with other environmental and demographic information.

Create Custom Environmental Maps with National Atlas

November 10, 2010–Dial up just one layer of data, or add layer after layer (from scores of topics) to create your own concoction of interlinked factors. The zoom function allows you to narrow or enlarge your geographic coverage as you see fit.

As TRI Goes Electronic, Speed Records Fall

November 3, 2010–The new record for getting raw data reported by industry to the general public: 28 days. Nearly 95 percent of reporting companies filed their reports electronically.

Cool Tools for Reporters Showcased at 2010 TRI Meeting

November 3, 2010–The WatchDog attended EPA's annual training conference for government workers on the Toxics Release Inventory, Nov. 1-3, 2010. See a preview of the showcased offerings, which have extra emphasis on environmental justice and EPA data tools ranging far beyond TRI. 

Envirofacts Warehouse Gets Geographic Makeover, Update

November 3, 2010–This newly powerful, easy-to-use mapping tool can help environmental journalists find and report great local and regional stories.