The flame-retardant chemicals known as PBDEs are virtually ubiquitous in U.S. waters. New research shows that when PBDEs are exposed to wastewater treatment, they can generate dioxins.
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.
"Canadian National Railway pleaded guilty on Monday to polluting Canada's wilderness in two train derailments, one of them resulting in the largest inland oil spill in Canada's history."
A May 17 fire at Sunoco's Marcus Hook refinery near Philadelphia underscored its day-in-day-out impact on the environment.
Despite having been banned in most uses for years, carbon tetrachloride, a probable carcinogen, persists in the environment. USA TODAY found it outside 70 of 95 schools in 30 states.
"Railroad companies are pressing federal regulators to cut back on trains carrying hazardous materials through urban areas, saying they fear a catastrophic release of toxic chemicals in a large city."
Billy Wolfe, of the Clarksburg Exponent Telegram, learns more about the chemicals in the hydraulic fracturing fluid used by gas-drilling companies.
Use this free software tool, downloadable from EPA, to calculate how much injury a chemical spill could cause.
"Critically ill newborns may help researchers figure out whether children are at risk from plastic additives called phthalates."
EPA has found suspect materials in a small sample of Chinese-made drywall that some believe may be causing corrosion in homes and possibly sickening people.
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