Generation toxic
We’ve known for years that lead seriously impairs early childhood development. Now scientists are finding that our kids’ brains are at risk from a barrage of other common chemicals.
OnEarth
12/13/13
From GroundTruth, Rooted in Science and Community
Pesticide Action Network North America 1611 Telegraph Ave. Suite
1200, Oakland, CA 94612 USA
510.788.9020 community@panna.org Web:www.panna.org
Inaction? Intransigence? Negligence? Whatever the right word, we’re reminded that the U.S. is behind the curve when it comes to protecting bees. Yesterday, Europe’s restrictions on bee-harming pesticides went into effect.
Today, in a full-page advertisement in the New York Times and six other major papers, PAN and over 60 food, farm, faith and investor groups are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action. Quickly.
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12/11/13
LETTER: There are better choices for Salem plant site
GateHouse Media, Inc. Posted: 12/09/2013
The Salem coal plant is closing in May. Hooray!
Oops! A New Jersey corporation, betting on a windfall profit, has submitted applications to build a $800 million gas plant on the site.
Local residents should know that this oversized plant is not necessary. The small shortfall in power can be met by a mix of distributed energy — small installations which send their extra power back to the grid — and by demand management like off-peak pricing and smart-grid technology.
The gas plant emits 2.5 million tons of greenhouse gases per year into the atmosphere, it will emit a low-level noise, and it is large — the stack is shorter but wider than the previous coal plant. And worse, this gas plant will emit tiny particulates into the air, which end up deep in human lungs and cause a wide range of lung diseases, according to the EPA.
Large, expensive and potentially dangerous high-pressure gas lines must be installed to provide the fuel. The gas in these oversized new pipes will be piped from states where lax regulations allow the poisoning of drinking water and streams from toxic chemicals used in fracking. Nor do regulations prevent large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from escaping into the air.
Commissioner Norris of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stated in Boston last week that the energy sector is in a crucial time and that the systemic transformation of this sector should be undertaken thoughtfully. Building huge, long-term generators for a short-term solution is not the way to safe and sustainable energy future. Salem’s neighbors should speak out for a better choice for this site rather than saddling the next generation with 40 more years of fossil-fuel emissions in a world already suffering the effects of fossil-fuel extraction leading to climate disruption and dirty air. — Lynn Nadeau, Surf Street
Oops! A New Jersey corporation, betting on a windfall profit, has submitted applications to build a $800 million gas plant on the site.
Local residents should know that this oversized plant is not necessary. The small shortfall in power can be met by a mix of distributed energy — small installations which send their extra power back to the grid — and by demand management like off-peak pricing and smart-grid technology.
The gas plant emits 2.5 million tons of greenhouse gases per year into the atmosphere, it will emit a low-level noise, and it is large — the stack is shorter but wider than the previous coal plant. And worse, this gas plant will emit tiny particulates into the air, which end up deep in human lungs and cause a wide range of lung diseases, according to the EPA.
Large, expensive and potentially dangerous high-pressure gas lines must be installed to provide the fuel. The gas in these oversized new pipes will be piped from states where lax regulations allow the poisoning of drinking water and streams from toxic chemicals used in fracking. Nor do regulations prevent large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from escaping into the air.
Commissioner Norris of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stated in Boston last week that the energy sector is in a crucial time and that the systemic transformation of this sector should be undertaken thoughtfully. Building huge, long-term generators for a short-term solution is not the way to safe and sustainable energy future. Salem’s neighbors should speak out for a better choice for this site rather than saddling the next generation with 40 more years of fossil-fuel emissions in a world already suffering the effects of fossil-fuel extraction leading to climate disruption and dirty air. — Lynn Nadeau, Surf Street
12/10/13
Interesting even if you’re not from NY. There are some good summaries (with references) of the science related to environmental exposures and various children’s health effects, e.g. asthma, birth defects, cancers, developmental disorders and obesity.
Similar in scope to EPA’s America’s Children and the Environment,with a few twists, including estimates of economic impacts and a recommendation for a statewide PEHSU-type network funded by NY State Department of Health.
Thanks to Maryann Suero, US EPA, for posting.
12/5/13
12/4/13
 Either change the system or risk another “Silent Spring”Environmental Defense Fund (blog).
In her 1962 book Silent Spring, Carson described the harmful effects of synthetic pesticides and cautioned us that the indiscriminate use of these compounds ...
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12/3/13
Toxins in Our Bodies
Industrial hygienist and chemist Monona Rossol discusses a study showing that rich people and poor people have different toxic substances in their bodies. She's the author of Pick Your Poison: How Our Mad Dash to Chemical Utopia Is Making Lab Rats of Us All.
Mounting microplastic pollution harms 'earthworms of the sea': Report. Tiny bits of plastic rubbish ingested by marine worms are significantly harming their health and will have a wider impact on ocean ecosystems, scientists have found. The Guardian
http://bit.ly/1g21m7n
http://bit.ly/1g21m7n
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