Today, 51 non-governmental organizations from around the globe sent letters to Amazon and eBay, calling on them to stop marketing dangerous and illegal mercury-based skin lightening creams. The groups testing identified 19 skin products sold by these companies that contain illegal mercury levels. Most products had mercury levels thousands of times higher than the legal limit of 1 part per million, established in the United States and many other countries.
(Kalama, WA) November 13, 2018—Today, a report written by the company proposing the world’s largest fracked-gas-to-methanol refinery was released by the Port of Kalama and Cowlitz County, WA. The proposed fossil fuel refinery is controversial because of the impacts on both local residents’ health and our climate. Despite the company’s claim that the refinery could result in a climate benefit, the refinery would consume a stunning amount of fracked gas—one-third as much gas as the entire state of Washington.
Oscoda, MI-- This morning, the Detroit Free Press reported that Attorney General Bill Schuette is “dragging his feet” on yet another case of PFAS contamination in Michigan. Schuette’s office sat on complaints for over nine months concerning the U.S. Air Force’s contamination of water adjacent to the Wurtsmith Air Force Base, which was closed due to PFAS water contamination years ago.
Washington, DC-- Today, a coalition of groups representing workers, scientists and community members near chemical facilities won a case challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) delay of the Chemical Disaster Rule in the D.C. Circuit Court. The rule serves to protect both workers and fence-line communities in strengthening emergency preparedness and coordination with local first responders.
Colorado Springs, CO-- Community members and several representatives from the from across the region testified at and rallied outside the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Listening and Working Sessions,” meant to address the state’s severe (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - PFAS) drinking water crisis.
Horsham, PA – People from across the region attended and testified at a meeting and “Listening Session” hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today to call for action by government agencies to address the PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - PFAS) drinking water crisis.
Washington, DC-- Today, after months of public pressure, the Center for Disease Control finally released a report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) on the Perfluoroalkyls toxic chemical family and its presence in the environment, effects on human health, and regulation concerns about acceptable levels. The White House was blamed for suppressing the release of the report.
Today, Ohio Governor John Kasich announced a new partner for a proposed ethane cracker plant in Belmont County. Ethane crackers are known to release toxic air pollution including cancer-causing benzene and other pollutants. Building out petrochemical plants would also drive an increase in fracking, and the increased air and water pollution that comes with it.