Washington, DC–(ENEWSPSF)–February 13, 2013. After years of scrutiny and criticism, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson signed amendments strengthening existing standards for human research involving pesticides submitted by third parties for consideration in EPA decisionmaking. These amendments apply to studies involving the controlled exposure of participants[Read More…]
Science
HUD and HHS Partner to Provide Permanent Housing and Services to Low-Income People with Disabilities
$98 million in rental assistance will prevent homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. To prevent thousands of people with disabilities from experiencing homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced nearly $98[Read More…]
Modern Growing Methods May Be Culprit of ‘Coffee Rust’ Fungal Outbreak
A mild infection of coffee rust on a tree in Mexico. Image credit: John Vandermeer ANN ARBOR–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. A shift away from traditional coffee-growing techniques may be increasing the severity of an outbreak of ‘coffee rust’ fungus that has swept through plantations in Central America and Mexico, according to[Read More…]
NRDC President: Congress Should Enact Public Health and Environment Safeguards Before Any Further Expansion of Natural Gas Fracking Occurs
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013 – Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, told a Senate Committee panel today that Congress should enact public health and environmental safeguards before any further expansion of natural gas fracking occurs because it is exposing Americans to growing risks from air pollution, water pollution[Read More…]
New York Fracking Gag Order Violates Freedom of Speech
Environmental Groups Sue Sanford Town Board for Banning Public Discussion of Fracking, While Supporting Industry Expansion SANFORD, NY–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013 – The Town of Sanford, New York, is violating its residents’ First Amendment right to free speech by placing a gag order on discussion of proposed fracking in the state[Read More…]
Weakened Environmental Plan for Lake Tahoe Challenged in Court
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency transferred its legal duty of lake protection to local authorities Sacramento, CA–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. Two Tahoe conservation groups, the Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday challenging new rules for Lake Tahoe that seriously reduce protections for the treasured[Read More…]
Hospitals Report Reductions in Some Types of Health Care-associated Infections
CDC report highlights areas for improvement in an effort to protect patients Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. Hospitals in the U.S. continue to make progress in the fight against central line-associated bloodstream infections and some surgical site infections, according to a report issued today by the Centers for Disease Control and[Read More…]
Gene Today, Gone Tomorrow: Genes for Autism and Schizophrenia Only Active in Developing Brains
UK–(ENEWSPF)–12 February 2013. Genes linked to autism and schizophrenia are only switched on during the early stages of brain development, according to a study in mice led by researchers at the University of Oxford. This new study adds to the evidence that autism and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental disorders, a term[Read More…]
EPA Makes Public Comprehensive Information on Use of Chemicals in the U.S.
The Chemical Data Reporting information will help EPA and others assess chemicals more quickly and encourage the use of safer chemicals WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) yesterday released the 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information on more than 7,600 chemicals in commerce. The CDR database contains[Read More…]
Vanishing Honey Bee Colonies May Impact California’s Almond Production
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013. Is 2013 the year colony collapse disorder (CCD) begins impacting our food supply? According to the American Bee Journal, almond growers in California may not have access to the honey bee colonies necessary to pollinate this year’s crop. “We need 1.6 million colonies, or two colonies[Read More…]
