Chemicals

"Chemicals derived from flowers may sound harmless, but new research raises concerns about compounds synthesized from chrysanthemums that are used in virtually every household pesticide. For at least a decade, pyrethroids have been the insecticide of choice for consumers, replacing organophosphate pesticides, which are far more toxic to people and wildlife. But evidence is mounting that the switch to pyrethroids has brought its own set of new ecological and human health concerns."

"As scientific evidence mounts against bisphenol-A, a chemical used in plastic baby bottles, soup cans and other containers, many states -- including Maryland -- are starting to take action to limit the chemical ahead of any federal regulation."

"Major U.S. foodmakers are quietly investigating how to rid their containers of Bisphenol A, a chemical under scrutiny by federal regulators concerned about links to a range of health problems, including reproductive disorders and cancer."

Two authors of the book "Slow Death by Rubber Duck" used themselves as subjects in a science experiment about the dangers of chemicals in everyday consumer products.

"A leak of more than 3,500 pounds of toxic ammonia gas from the Dow Chemical Co. facility in Institute [WV] went undetected for nearly two weeks, company officials disclosed Wednesday."

"An environmental contractor dramatically underreported the level of a cancer-causing chemical found in tap water at Camp Lejeune, then omitted it altogether as the Marine base prepared for a federal health review, an Associated Press review has found."

"Oregon's Senate shot down a bill this morning that would have banned a potential endocrine-disrupting chemical from baby bottles and sippy cups, splitting 15-15 on a ban that Washington's Legislature has endorsed with lopsided votes."

"Living near farms that use the weed killer atrazine may up the risk of a rare birth defect, according to a study presented this past Friday at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago."