"With the government declaring formaldehyde a carcinogen, these might be boom times for alternative embalming fluids — if it weren't for the so-called everlasting effect funeral directors stake their reputations on."

Fish bones are full of calcium phosphate. Now clean-up engineers are finding that fish bone meal is a good way to remedy lead contamination in soil, because they can bind lead in a form that the human body can not absorb.

"An Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis study has found mercury contamination in soil downwind from a coal-fired power plant in Indianapolis, supporting the notion of localized mercury hot spots."

"Health and environmental groups have mounted a campaign against Bath & Body Works, urging the retailer to stop selling its line of 'Summertime Scent' soaps that contain triclosan, a chemical categorized as a pesticide."

"A Pennsylvania homeowner and an Indiana golf course company have filed a class-action lawsuit against DuPont charging that the chemical giant was either negligent or reckless in putting a new weedkiller on the market."

"A government report released Tuesday says states are underreporting violations of federal drinking-water standards, preventing the Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing rules aimed at protecting public health."

Weeds in southern Missouri are becoming resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. Some farmers now resort to chemical cocktails -- or even hoes.

"U.S. EPA announced Friday that it decided against a proposed rule that would have required contractors to test dust to prove the absence of lead following renovations."

"Newfoundland and Labrador intends to join the growing ranks of provinces that have banned the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides on household lawns."

"The amount of lead allowed in toys and other children's products sold in the U.S. will soon be reduced to one of the lowest limits in the world. The move was praised by consumer advocates but denounced by critics worried about job losses and shuttered businesses."