This image shows one of the most distant galaxies known, called GN-108036, dating back to 750 million years after the Big Bang that created our universe. The galaxy’s light took 12.9 billion years to reach us. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI/University of Tokyo NASA-(ENEWSPF)- Astronomers using NASA’s Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes[Read More…]
Science
EPA Issues First National Standards for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants
Historic ‘mercury and air toxics standards’ meet 20-year old requirement to cut dangerous smokestack emissions WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–December 21, 2011. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air[Read More…]
Department of Commerce Statement on EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 21, 2011. Today, U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson, the former CEO and chairman of the California-based energy company Edison International, issued the following statement in response to the EPA’s new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. “For business leaders, there are few challenges greater than uncertainty, and by issuing[Read More…]
FDA: Do Not Use ShoulderFlex Massager
Use of massage device may cause serious health risks Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–December 21, 2011. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers again not to use the ShoulderFlex Massager, imported by King International and sold by various companies, due to serious potential health risks. The ShoulderFlex Massager is a personal[Read More…]
Report Highlights Risk From Antibacterial Chemicals In Clothing
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 21, 2011. The Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemi) has published an analysis of the antibacterial chemicals triclosan, triclocarban and silver textile products that finds these antibacterial chemicals to significantly leach out of treated products after washing. In the case of triclosan and triclocarban, about half or more of the[Read More…]
Consumer Safety Groups File First Lawsuit on Risks of Nanotechnology
San Francisco, Calif.–(ENEWSPF)–December 21, 2011. Concerned by the growing body of scientific reports cautioning against the unregulated use of nanotechnology in consumer products, a coalition of nonprofit consumer safety and environmental groups sued the Food and Drug Administration today. The case is the first lawsuit over the health and environmental[Read More…]
Audubon Annual Count in Central Park Finds 3,000 Fewer Birds
72 Tufted Titmouse, 1 Rufous Hummingbird, But No Partridge in a Pear Tree David Speiser www.lilibirds.com Rufous Hummingbird seen during Audubon’s 112th annual CBC for Central Park New York NY–(ENEWSPF)–December 20, 2011. Eighty-three Citizen Scientists braved breezy below freezing temperatures this past Sunday morning to count birds in New York City’s Central[Read More…]
Congressional Inaction Threatens Middle-Class Wind Jobs Across America
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–December 20, 2011. Congress has been unable to extend vital tax credits for the wind industry, causing incredible uncertainty for investors in the fast-growing wind sector and threatening thousands of jobs across America, like those at Alliant Energy in Iowa highlighted in the video released by the Center for[Read More…]
NIH Statement on the NSABB Review of H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Research
Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–December 20, 2011. The U.S. government remains concerned about the threat of influenza, for the risks it poses seasonally, as well as its potential to cause a pandemic. Our domestic and global influenza surveillance efforts have become increasingly capable, along with expanded vaccine manufacturing capacity and assistance to other[Read More…]
USDA Publishes Review Schedule for Materials Used in Organic Production and Handling
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 19, 2011. The National Organic Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a comprehensive list of the expiration dates for all materials currently allowed for use in organic production and handling. These materials, which are collectively referred to as the National List of[Read More…]
