environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-16--Trump EPA to Ease Limits on Mercury Emissions From Coal Plants

WASHINGTON – Despite bipartisan opposition in Congress , and from environmentalists and the entire electric utility industry , the Environmental Protection Agency today is expected to dramatically weaken federal air pollution standards the agency ’ s own scientists had estimated would prevent thousands of heart and asthma attacks , and deaths , each year .
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards , enacted in 2011 , during the Obama administration , required electric utilities that burn coal and oil to install technologies to cut emissions of mercury and other heavy metal air pollutants , including arsenic .
Utilities estimated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 18 billion .
But it was money well spent : The rule had an almost immediate impact on air quality with a 70 percent drop in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants .
The states that saw the most significant decreases in mercury emissions between 2011 and 2017 include those that rely heavily on electricity generated from coal-fired power plants , including Pennsylvania , Indiana , Ohio , Michigan and Missouri .
“ It ’ s beyond stupid to repeal a rule that has contributed so much to cleaner air and protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said EWG President Ken Cook .
“ The Trump EPA is actively working against the American people and their health and safety – and there ’ s no clearer example than this reckless decision made at the behest of a few coal industry executives.
” Until the Obama administration added the mercury rule , there were no federal standards on power plants ’ emissions of toxic air pollutants .
The EPA estimated the rule would prevent roughly 11,000 premature deaths , 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks each year .
To justify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devalued the health benefits the agency had calculated .
Major players in the electric power sector have called on the Trump administration to leave the current rule untouched .
Since the EPA announced plans to repeal the mercury rule , the agency has received nearly half a million public comments , overwhelmingly opposed to the decision .
Major players in the electricity sector also opposed the repeal , including the Edison Electric Institute and the American Power Association .
In comments to the EPA , one of the nation ’ s biggest utilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gut it is “ an action that is entirely unnecessary , unreasonable , and universally opposed by the power generation sector.
” In February , an Exelon spokesman told The Washington Post , “ The sector has gotten so much cleaner as a result of this rule.
” “ We ’ re happy to comply with this rule , ” Scott Weaver , director of air quality at American Electric Power , told the Post .
“ Let sleeping dogs lie , so to speak.
” Mercury can cause toxic effects to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as on the lungs and kidneys .
Millions of Americans with compromised immune systems and respiratory problems are at far greater risk of dying from COVID-19 , according to a new study by a team of disease experts from the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health .
In addition to long-term heart and respiratory system damage , mercury emissions pose other dangers .
Methylmercury , a byproduct of burning coal , is a potent neurotoxin and can seriously harm the brain and nervous systems of infants and children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into waterways and the ocean , where it concentrates in the marine food chain .
Mercury concentrations are highest in larger fish , like tuna , marlin , halibut and sea bass .
Women who are pregnant and consume seafood with high mercury levels , like sushi , can expose the developing fetus to even higher concentrations than what ’ s in the mother ’ s blood .
Exposure to mercury during pregnancy and childhood can cause lifelong deficits in learning , memory and reaction times .
Under the final rule change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not “ appropriate or necessary ” for the EPA to reduce toxic pollutants from power plants , since utilities are required to and have complied with the rule since it went into effect in 2011 .
In December , members of the EPA ’ s Science Advisory Board , most of whom are Trump appointees , slammed Administrator Andrew Wheeler for ignoring “ established science ” in his move to roll back the mercury rule , the Post reported in December .
Repeal of the mercury rule was on the wish list that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest privately owned coal mining company and one of President Trump ’ s biggest backers , gave the White House just weeks after Trump ’ s inauguration .
Before joining the Trump administration , EPA chief Wheeler was a highly paid coal industry lobbyist whose clients included Robert Murray and Murray Energy .
“ Wheeler ’ s salary may come from taxpayers but , as this rollback of the mercury rule demonstrates , he ’ s still working for the coal industry , ” said Cook .
Despite President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in October , Murray Energy became the eighth coal company to file for bankruptcy in the past year .
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit , non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment .
Through research , advocacy and unique education tools , EWG drives consumer choice and civic action .

WASHINGTON – Despite bipartisan opposition in Congress, and from environmentalists and the entire electric utility industry, the Environmental Protection Agency today is expected to dramatically weaken federal air pollution standards the agency’s own scientists had estimated would prevent thousands of heart and asthma attacks, and deaths, each year.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, enacted in 2011, during the Obama administration, required electric utilities that burn coal and oil to install technologies to cut emissions of mercury and other heavy metal air pollutants, including arsenic.
Utilities estimated the cost of the pollution-trapping equipment at around $18 billion. But it was money well spent: The rule had an almost immediate impact on air quality with a 70 percent drop in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Source: Center for American Progress
The states that saw the most significant decreases in mercury emissions between 2011 and 2017 include those that rely heavily on electricity generated from coal-fired power plants, including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri.
Source: Center for American Progress
“It’s beyond stupid to repeal a rule that has contributed so much to cleaner air and protecting children from a potent neurotoxin,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “The Trump EPA is actively working against the American people and their health and safety – and there’s no clearer example than this reckless decision made at the behest of a few coal industry executives.”
Until the Obama administration added the mercury rule, there were no federal standards on power plants’ emissions of toxic air pollutants. The EPA estimated the rule would prevent roughly 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks each year. To justify the repeal, the Trump EPA severely devalued the health benefits the agency had calculated.
Major players in the electric power sector have called on the Trump administration to leave the current rule untouched.
Since the EPA announced plans to repeal the mercury rule, the agency has received nearly half a million public comments, overwhelmingly opposed to the decision. Major players in the electricity sector also opposed the repeal, including the Edison Electric Institute and the American Power Association.
In comments to the EPA, one of the nation’s biggest utilities, Exelon, said any attempt to gut it is “an action that is entirely unnecessary, unreasonable, and universally opposed by the power generation sector.” In February, an Exelon spokesman told The Washington Post, “The sector has gotten so much cleaner as a result of this rule.”
“We’re happy to comply with this rule,” Scott Weaver, director of air quality at American Electric Power, told the Post. “Let sleeping dogs lie, so to speak.”
Mercury can cause toxic effects to the immune, nervous and digestive systems, as well as on the lungs and kidneys.
Millions of Americans with compromised immune systems and respiratory problems are at far greater risk of dying from COVID-19, according to a new study by a team of disease experts from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
In addition to long-term heart and respiratory system damage, mercury emissions pose other dangers.
Methylmercury, a byproduct of burning coal, is a potent neurotoxin and can seriously harm the brain and nervous systems of infants and children. Mercury in the air condenses and gets into waterways and the ocean, where it concentrates in the marine food chain. Mercury concentrations are highest in larger fish, like tuna, marlin, halibut and sea bass.
Women who are pregnant and consume seafood with high mercury levels, like sushi, can expose the developing fetus to even higher concentrations than what’s in the mother’s blood. Exposure to mercury during pregnancy and childhood can cause lifelong deficits in learning, memory and reaction times.
Under the final rule change, the Trump administration has declared it is not “appropriate or necessary” for the EPA to reduce toxic pollutants from power plants, since utilities are required to and have complied with the rule since it went into effect in 2011.
In December, members of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board, most of whom are Trump appointees, slammed Administrator Andrew Wheeler for ignoring “established science” in his move to roll back the mercury rule, the Post reported in December.
Repeal of the mercury rule was on the wish list that Robert Murray, founder of the nation’s largest privately owned coal mining company and one of President Trump’s biggest backers, gave the White House just weeks after Trump’s inauguration. Before joining the Trump administration, EPA chief Wheeler was a highly paid coal industry lobbyist whose clients included Robert Murray and Murray Energy.
“Wheeler’s salary may come from taxpayers but, as this attack on the mercury rule demonstrates, he’s still working for the coal industry,” said Cook.
Despite President Trump’s promises to revive the coal industry, in October, Murray Energy became the eighth coal company to file for bankruptcy in the past year.
###
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-17--EWG News Roundup (4/17): Protecting Our Food and Farm Workers from COVID-19, the Case for Stimulus I

EWG News Roundup (4/17): Protecting Our Food and Farm Workers from COVID-19, the Case for Stimulus Investments in U.S. Tap Water Supply, and More

Congress may soon consider spending billions of dollars in the next coronavirus stimulus package to upgrade our aging drinking water infrastructure .
EWG laid out the case this week for investing in cleaning up the contaminants in Americans ’ drinking water .
EWG broke down what might happen if a large number of the 20 million individuals who grow , harvest , pack , process , transport , serve and sell our food all fell ill with COVID-19 .
There are steps we believe lawmakers and the Trump administration should take to ensure the well-being and financial security of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are risking their lives to provide our food .
Despite the pandemic , this week the Trump administration took steps to roll back , again , another important health-protective rule .
First , ignoring his own scientists and public health advocates , Environmental Protection Agency head Andrew Wheeler refused to strengthen federal standards for soot emitted from auto tailpipes and smokestacks .
“ This decision is as tone-deaf as it is reckless , ” said EWG President Ken Cook .
“ Right now , long-term exposure to PM2.5 is increasing the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
If there ever was a moment for all Americans , regardless of political persuasion , to demand the Trump EPA stop gutting the nation ’ s air quality standards and finally place a premium on public health protection , it ’ s now.
” The EPA also eased Obama-era limits on mercury emissions from coal plants that had resulted in a roughly 80 percent reduction in mercury emissions since 2011 .
The EPA previously estimated the rule would prevent roughly 11,000 premature deaths , 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard study that found coronavirus sufferers in places with dirtier air are far more likely to die than those in areas with cleaner air .
And finally , EWG took a look at the opening of a huge flood management structure , which will relieve the swollen Mississippi River but could cause a recurrence of a huge toxic algae bloom along the Gulf Coast .
Here ’ s some news you can use going into the weekend .
`` The irony of it all is that one of the issues they could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Congress should direct the EPA to take the impacts of PFAS on the developing fetus and mother into account , when establishing a drinking water standard , '' Scott Faber , senior vice president , government affairs , at the Environmental Working Group , told EHN .
The Environmental Working Group .
“ The EWG is my go-to resource for science-backed information on what ’ s safe for my family to consume and bring into our environment .
Healthline : The Super-Handy Resource Guide New Parents Should Keep in Their Back Pocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skin care and household products you use during pregnancy and postpartum , the Environmental Working Group has a super helpful database of rated products .
Courthouse News Service : Mercury Rule on Chopping Block After 80 % Cut in Pollution Ken Cook , president of the Environmental Working Group — a conservationist activist group focused on protecting human health and the environment — called the plan “ beyond stupid.
” Wisconsin Gazette : Despite link to COVID-19 deaths , Trump 's EPA refuses to strengthen soot standards This decision by Andrew Wheeler is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said EWG President Ken Cook .
“ Right now , long-term exposure to PM2.5 is increasing the number of people who are dying from the coronavirus .
Common Dreams : Trump EPA 'Defies Logic ' With Emission Standard Rule—Even as Experts Warn Air Pollution Makes Coronavirus More Deadly '' This decision by Andrew Wheeler is as tone-deaf as it is reckless , '' said Environmental Working Group president Ken Cook in a statement .
`` Right now , long-term exposure to PM 2.5 is increasing the number of people who are dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Story Miami Herald : Farmers are essential but vulnerable to coronavirus .
Is the US food supply at stake ?
The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , a nonprofit , nonpartisan organization “ dedicated to protecting human health and the environment , ” says as more workers fall ill , the greater the chances that the country ’ s food supply chain will unravel .
Reprinted by Idaho Statesman ; Belleville News-Democrat ( Ill. ) ; Bradenton Herald ( Fla. ) ; Tri-City Herald ( Kennewick , Wash. ) ; The Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; 10 other media outlets The Revelator : Pandemic Shines a Light on Critical Water Issues — Will Congress Fund Solutions ?
“ The next COVID-19 stimulus package provides an opportunity to invest in ways that create lots of jobs and finally begin to provide the level of resources that are needed to make sure no one is drinking polluted water , ” says Scott Faber , senior vice-president of government affairs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group .
Reprinted by Nation of Change Medium : Navigating the Novel Coronavirus : maintaining your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EPA offered a list of disinfectants that are effective against the coronavirus .
However , many contain potentially harmful ingredients .
EWG went through the list and refined it to 16 safe products to use against the virus .
University of Utah : Cleaning Your Home ( the Safe Way ) During Covid-19 It 's even better to go to the Environmental Working Group 's website , ewg.org , and click on the box that says EWG 's Guide to Healthy Cleaning .
Green Matters : Here 's What You Need to Know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn more about products that safely and effectively fight against the coronavirus in your home , the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) examined a list of CDC-recommended cleaners and , using their own methodology of seeing what scored an A or B on their own Guide to Healthy Cleaning .
( Seventh Generation 's line of disinfectant sprays , cleaners , and wipes made the cut . )
Green Matters : These Cleaning Products Are Tough Against Coronavirus , But Gentle on the Planet The Environmental Working Group — aka the EWG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaning products that they deemed both effective and safe in the battle against COVID-19 .
Natural News : Not every store-bought cleaning product can protect you from coronavirus Furthermore , the Environmental Working Group has warned that many cleaning products don ’ t have very informative labels , and that many consumers aren ’ t fully aware of the ingredients of the products they are buying .
WTSP-TV ( St. Petersburg , Fla. ) : You 're cleaning your home more , but what are those chemicals doing to your health ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of the top green cleaning products .
In 2002 , OSEA was the first company to sign The Compact for Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products , an initiative from the Environmental Working Group whose mission is to insure that products are “ free of chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer , mutation or birth defects.
” Even more credentials : This EWG-certified cleanser is free of minerals , parabens , silicones , and synthetic fragrances , and it ’ s fetched an almost-perfect rating on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deep golden color , too . )
Business Insider : This touch-free dispenser moistens regular toilet paper to make wet wipes that are actually flushable The brand says the ingredients are quite close to what you 'd find in a baby wipe and that they 're well-rated from the Environmental Working Group 's Skin Deep Directory .
Teen Vogue : What is Sulfate ?
Understanding Sulfates and Sulfate-Free Products You can use tools like the EWG ’ s Skin Deep database , which rates more than 70,000 personal products based on known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific studies about those ingredients , to find and learn about alternatives .
Blog for Arizona Welfare for the Rich : How Your Tax Dollars End Up in Millionaires ’ Pockets Indeed , according to the Environmental Working Group , which tracks farm subsidies and crop insurance payments , fifty billionaire members of the Forbes 400 got over $ 6.3 million in farm subsidies between 1995 and 2014 .
Farming Portal : If crop insurance rewarded conservation practices , would more farmers go no-till ?
A 2017 report from the Environmental Working Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 farm bill allows farmers to exclude particularly bad years when estimating their average yearly income , artificially inflating their expected earnings and , consequently , the inevitable insurance payouts .
Hello Giggles : What to know about recycling tricky items like mattresses and styrofoam , according to an expert Plus , conventional mattresses contain synthetic fibers , foams , and hazardous flame retardant chemicals , which are hard to recycle and aren ’ t biodegradable , according to the Environmental Working Group .
The Environmental Working Group pulled Department of Defense records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect 678 installations in total may have a problem with PFAS , which are man-made chemicals used in everyday materials to repel oil , water , grease and stains .
Reprinted by Coyote Gulch ; KSL ( Salt Lake City ) ; 10z US Politics “ PFAS contaminate the blood of every American and have been linked to very serious health problems .
… The Pentagon ’ s use of aqueous film-forming foam has disproportionately exposed military service members and their families and nearby communities to higher levels of PFAS pollution , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s senior vice president told Military.com .
The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) alleges that 678 installations in total may have a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS ) contamination issue .
Reprinted by News Break USA Today : Climate Point : Nepal is melting , and Trump wants to mine the moon For The Desert Sun , I 've got the latest on a new study released Thursday by the Environmental Working Group that found 2,501 sites around the country where PFAS might be escaping into the environment .
Reprinted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , carpet makers , commercial printers , plastics manufacturers and others use PFAS in their products or processes .
Scott Fabor , senior vice president for the Environmental Working Group , said local residents have no way of knowing what kinds of chemicals , or how much they might be exposed to .
Waste Dive : New analysis finds sites owned by Waste Management and others could be discharging PFAS New analysis from the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) argues that a number of landfills and other waste sites could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air and water .
WCPO , a broadcaster based in Cincinnati , reports claims from Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) senior scientist David Andrews that the biggest risk of PFAS contamination is from water pollution .
Yes !
Solutions Journalism : For Americans Without Water Access , Coronavirus Adds Another Layer of Struggle And a recent report by the Environmental Working Group detected widespread contamination of U.S. drinking water supplies with man-made “ forever chemicals , ” including in cities such as Miami , Philadelphia , and New Orleans .
Contaminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reprinted by California Health Report Environmental Working Group lab tests found that PFAS is widespread in U.S. drinking water .
Researchers tested water samples from 44 places in 31 states and the District of Columbia and found that only one sample had no detectable PFAS .
EatingWell : Hormone-Balancing Foods : How Your Diet Can Help Keep Your Hormones Functioning Well Consider shopping organic from the `` Dirty Dozen '' list , which is ranking of the most contaminated produce from the Environmental Working Group .
Also , kale is a common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ Dirty Dozen ” list , so it ’ s important to always opt for organic kale if possible and to thoroughly wash what you do buy .
Reprinted by MS

Congress may soon consider spending billions of dollars in the next coronavirus stimulus package to upgrade our aging drinking water infrastructure. EWG laid out the case this week for investing in cleaning up the contaminants in Americans’ drinking water.
EWG broke down what might happen if a large number of the 20 million individuals who grow, harvest, pack, process, transport, serve and sell our food all fell ill with COVID-19. There are steps we believe lawmakers and the Trump administration should take to ensure the well-being and financial security of this vital part of the U.S. workforce, who are risking their lives to provide our food.
Despite the pandemic, this week the Trump administration took steps to roll back, again, another important health-protective rule. First, ignoring his own scientists and public health advocates, Environmental Protection Agency head Andrew Wheeler refused to strengthen federal standards for soot emitted from auto tailpipes and smokestacks.
“This decision is as tone-deaf as it is reckless,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “Right now, long-term exposure to PM2.5 is increasing the number of people who are dying from the coronavirus. If there ever was a moment for all Americans, regardless of political persuasion, to demand the Trump EPA stop gutting the nation’s air quality standards and finally place a premium on public health protection, it’s now.”
The EPA also eased Obama-era limits on mercury emissions from coal plants that had resulted in a roughly 80 percent reduction in mercury emissions since 2011. The EPA previously estimated the rule would prevent roughly 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks each year.
We explained a recent Harvard study that found coronavirus sufferers in places with dirtier air are far more likely to die than those in areas with cleaner air.
And finally, EWG took a look at the opening of a huge flood management structure, which will relieve the swollen Mississippi River but could cause a recurrence of a huge toxic algae bloom along the Gulf Coast.
Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.
Children’s Health
Environmental Health News: Making toxic-free births a Christian issue
"The irony of it all is that one of the issues they couldn't agree on was...the extent to which Congress should direct the EPA to take the impacts of PFAS on the developing fetus and mother into account, when establishing a drinking water standard," Scott Faber, senior vice president, government affairs, at the Environmental Working Group, told EHN.
Mother Mag: Mother Essentials: Shazi Visram of Healthnest
The Environmental Working Group. “The EWG is my go-to resource for science-backed information on what’s safe for my family to consume and bring into our environment.
Healthline: The Super-Handy Resource Guide New Parents Should Keep in Their Back Pocket
If you’re concerned about the skin care and household products you use during pregnancy and postpartum, the Environmental Working Group has a super helpful database of rated products.
COVID-19 and EPA Roll Back of Air Pollution Regulations
Courthouse News Service: Mercury Rule on Chopping Block After 80% Cut in Pollution
Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group — a conservationist activist group focused on protecting human health and the environment — called the plan “beyond stupid.”
Wisconsin Gazette: Despite link to COVID-19 deaths, Trump's EPA refuses to strengthen soot standards
This decision by Andrew Wheeler is as tone-deaf as it is reckless,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “Right now, long-term exposure to PM2.5 is increasing the number of people who are dying from the coronavirus.
Common Dreams: Trump EPA 'Defies Logic' With Emission Standard Rule—Even as Experts Warn Air Pollution Makes Coronavirus More Deadly
"This decision by Andrew Wheeler is as tone-deaf as it is reckless," said Environmental Working Group president Ken Cook in a statement. "Right now, long-term exposure to PM 2.5 is increasing the number of people who are dying from the coronavirus…” Reprinted by Raw Story
COVID-19 and Farm Workers
Miami Herald: Farmers are essential but vulnerable to coronavirus. Is the US food supply at stake?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization “dedicated to protecting human health and the environment,” says as more workers fall ill, the greater the chances that the country’s food supply chain will unravel. Reprinted by Idaho Statesman; Belleville News-Democrat (Ill.); Bradenton Herald (Fla.); Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.);The Island Packet (Beaufort County, S.C.); 10 other media outlets
COVID-19 Stimulus Legislation
The Revelator: Pandemic Shines a Light on Critical Water Issues — Will Congress Fund Solutions?
“The next COVID-19 stimulus package provides an opportunity to invest in ways that create lots of jobs and finally begin to provide the level of resources that are needed to make sure no one is drinking polluted water,” says Scott Faber, senior vice-president of government affairs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. Reprinted by Nation of Change
Cleaning Products
Medium: Navigating the Novel Coronavirus: maintaining your physical and mental health during quarantine
The EPA offered a list of disinfectants that are effective against the coronavirus. However, many contain potentially harmful ingredients. EWG went through the list and refined it to 16 safe products to use against the virus.
University of Utah: Cleaning Your Home (the Safe Way) During Covid-19
It's even better to go to the Environmental Working Group's website, ewg.org, and click on the box that says EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
Green Matters: Here's What You Need to Know About Using Vinegar as a Disinfectant
To learn more about products that safely and effectively fight against the coronavirus in your home, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) examined a list of CDC-recommended cleaners and, using their own methodology of seeing what scored an A or B on their own Guide to Healthy Cleaning. (Seventh Generation's line of disinfectant sprays, cleaners, and wipes made the cut.)
Green Matters: These Cleaning Products Are Tough Against Coronavirus, But Gentle on the Planet
The Environmental Working Group — aka the EWG — put together a list of 16 cleaning products that they deemed both effective and safe in the battle against COVID-19.
Natural News: Not every store-bought cleaning product can protect you from coronavirus
Furthermore, the Environmental Working Group has warned that many cleaning products don’t have very informative labels, and that many consumers aren’t fully aware of the ingredients of the products they are buying.
WTSP-TV (St. Petersburg, Fla.): You're cleaning your home more, but what are those chemicals doing to your health?
The Environmental Working Group also gave us a list of the top green cleaning products.
Cosmetics
The Spa Insider: #BeautyBoss: Jenefer Palmer, Founder of OSEA
In 2002, OSEA was the first company to sign The Compact for Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products, an initiative from the Environmental Working Group whose mission is to insure that products are “free of chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects.”
EWG VERIFIED®
Bustle: The 6 Best Korean Oil Cleansers
Even more credentials: This EWG-certified cleanser is free of minerals, parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances, and it’s fetched an almost-perfect rating on Amazon. (I love its luxe, deep golden color, too.)
Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database
Business Insider: This touch-free dispenser moistens regular toilet paper to make wet wipes that are actually flushable
The brand says the ingredients are quite close to what you'd find in a baby wipe and that they're well-rated from the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Directory.
Teen Vogue: What is Sulfate? Understanding Sulfates and Sulfate-Free Products
You can use tools like the EWG’s Skin Deep database, which rates more than 70,000 personal products based on known and suspected hazards of ingredients and available scientific studies about those ingredients, to find and learn about alternatives.
Farm Subsidies
Blog for Arizona Welfare for the Rich: How Your Tax Dollars End Up in Millionaires’ Pockets
Indeed, according to the Environmental Working Group, which tracks farm subsidies and crop insurance payments, fifty billionaire members of the Forbes 400 got over $6.3 million in farm subsidies between 1995 and 2014.
Farming Portal: If crop insurance rewarded conservation practices, would more farmers go no-till?
A 2017 report from the Environmental Working Group pointed out that a provision in the 2014 farm bill allows farmers to exclude particularly bad years when estimating their average yearly income, artificially inflating their expected earnings and, consequently, the inevitable insurance payouts.
Mattresses
Hello Giggles: What to know about recycling tricky items like mattresses and styrofoam, according to an expert
Plus, conventional mattresses contain synthetic fibers, foams, and hazardous flame retardant chemicals, which are hard to recycle and aren’t biodegradable, according to the Environmental Working Group.
PFAS Military Map
Deseret News: New analysis confirms harmful ‘forever chemicals’ at Utah military bases
The Environmental Working Group pulled Department of Defense records and other documents that led them to suspect 678 installations in total may have a problem with PFAS, which are man-made chemicals used in everyday materials to repel oil, water, grease and stains. Reprinted by Coyote Gulch; KSL (Salt Lake City); 10z US Politics
Top Class Actions: PFAS Firefighting Foam Contamination Found at 700 Military Bases
“PFAS contaminate the blood of every American and have been linked to very serious health problems. … The Pentagon’s use of aqueous film-forming foam has disproportionately exposed military service members and their families and nearby communities to higher levels of PFAS pollution,” Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president told Military.com.
Water Quality Products: Utah Military Bases Show PFAS Contamination
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) alleges that 678 installations in total may have a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination issue. Reprinted by News Break
PFAS Polluters Map
USA Today: Climate Point: Nepal is melting, and Trump wants to mine the moon
For The Desert Sun, I've got the latest on a new study released Thursday by the Environmental Working Group that found 2,501 sites around the country where PFAS might be escaping into the environment. Reprinted by USA Today affiliates; Daily Magazine
Public News Service: Report: Possible PFAS Chemical-Discharge Sites Top 2,500
Chemical companies, carpet makers, commercial printers, plastics manufacturers and others use PFAS in their products or processes. Scott Fabor, senior vice president for the Environmental Working Group, said local residents have no way of knowing what kinds of chemicals, or how much they might be exposed to.
Waste Dive: New analysis finds sites owned by Waste Management and others could be discharging PFAS
New analysis from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) argues that a number of landfills and other waste sites could be discharging toxic "forever chemicals" into the air and water.
PFAS Tap Water Contamination
Business News Australia: Shine expands PFAS contamination class action against Department of Defense
WCPO, a broadcaster based in Cincinnati, reports claims from Environmental Working Group (EWG) senior scientist David Andrews that the biggest risk of PFAS contamination is from water pollution.
Yes! Solutions Journalism: For Americans Without Water Access, Coronavirus Adds Another Layer of Struggle
And a recent report by the Environmental Working Group detected widespread contamination of U.S. drinking water supplies with man-made “forever chemicals,” including in cities such as Miami, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. Contaminated water isn’t the only issue. Reprinted by California Health Report
The Prevent Future American Sickness (PFAS) Act
Earth Maven: Senate Bill Introduced Earlier This Year Would Regulate Dangerous Chemicals
Environmental Working Group lab tests found that PFAS is widespread in U.S. drinking water. Researchers tested water samples from 44 places in 31 states and the District of Columbia and found that only one sample had no detectable PFAS.
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
EatingWell: Hormone-Balancing Foods: How Your Diet Can Help Keep Your Hormones Functioning Well
Consider shopping organic from the "Dirty Dozen" list, which is ranking of the most contaminated produce from the Environmental Working Group.
Longevity: 8 Reasons We’re Still Obsessed With Kale
Also, kale is a common fixture on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list, so it’s important to always opt for organic kale if possible and to thoroughly wash what you do buy. Reprinted by MS


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-20--In a Pandemic, Farmworkers Deserve a Raise, Not a Pay Cut

As the coronavirus pandemic continues , farmworkers are risking their lives to feed us .
So why are some officials in the Trump administration and some Republicans in Congress trying to cut farmworkers ’ pay ?
National Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal report that White House officials may cut the minimum wage for some seasonal farmworkers who travel to the U.S. on guest worker visas .
If the idea becomes policy , the proposal would effectively reduce the minimum wage paid to these farmworkers to $ 8.34 an hour in states that do not have higher minimum wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay the higher of either the applicable state or federal minimum wage ; the prevailing wage in that region and occupation , as determined by the Department of Labor ; or the regional average farm wage found in a survey conducted by the Department of Agriculture .
Depending on the state , changes to this calculation could reduce hourly wages anywhere from $ 2 to $ 5 an hour .
For example , the minimum wage for migrant workers in North Carolina would fall by nearly $ 4 , according to Farmworker Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar proposal .
H.R .
6083 , the Labor Certainty for Food Security Act , would also change how wages are calculated to pay farmers 115 percent of the federal minimum wage , or of the state minimum wage , if it is higher .
Reps. Ted Yoho ( R-Fla. ) , Glenn Thompson ( R-Pa. ) , Andy Barr ( R-Ky. ) , Neal Dunn ( R-Fla. ) , Ted Budd ( R-N.C. ) , Vicky Hartzler ( R-Mo . )
, Michael McCaul ( R-Texas ) , Mike Kelly ( R-Pa. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are among the bill ’ s co-sponsors .
The American Farm Bureau Federation defended the proposal , telling The Wall Street Journal it was “ not right ” to require farmers to pay the higher wage during a pandemic .
Unlike seasonal farmworkers , produce growers and other farmers represented by the Farm Bureau will be eligible for $ 16 billion in government relief announced Friday by USDA .
The Trump administration is taking other steps to help farmers , including temporary rules that make it easier to hire migrant workers who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on other farms and speeding up the visa process for guest workers .
But the administration has not taken steps to protect farmworkers from COVID-19 , who are getting sick just as the harvest season is about to begin .
Although some farmworkers are able to spread out in fields , many migrant and seasonal workers are housed and transported in ways that increase the likelihood that the virus will spread .
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are often housed in hotels that have been converted to function like dormitories .
Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our economy , few receive protections from the COVID-19 virus .
Some food and farm companies have provided personal protective equipment , but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , or OSHA , and the Department of Agriculture have not yet issued emergency standards requiring food companies to meet safety guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
What ’ s more , many food and farm workers are not eligible for free COVID-19 testing .
If they do become sick , many are ineligible for paid sick leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infect their co-workers .
The Families First Act passed by Congress requires some employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave , but many food and farm companies are exempt from the requirement .
Although they have been deemed essential workers , farm and food workers do not receive hazard pay to reflect the risks they face .
Because many are undocumented , many are ineligible for health benefits other workers enjoy , such as Medicaid .
As a result , undocumented workers are not only denied hazard pay and sick pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increasing the likelihood that the virus will spread as they continue to work .
Replacing sick farmworkers will not be easy .
Farmers were already facing labor shortages before the pandemic .
Now , as borders tighten , fewer farm and food workers are migrating to the U.S .
In addition , food and farm work can be difficult , dangerous and poorly paid , so food processors and farm labor contractors may struggle to find other workers willing to risk their lives to work in meat plants , packing sheds or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven by the cost of labor , transportation and marketing , not by the wholesale price of ingredients .
Although the salaries earned by food processing workers and farm workers are near or below the poverty line , the cost of labor is often a major factor in the price of food .
As more food and farm workers become sick , and food and farm labor costs increase , the retail price of food will likely increase as well .
Food already accounts for 12 percent of household spending , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income on food .
To address these risks , the USDA and OSHA must be directed to issue emergency standards that require employers to provide personal protective equipment , enough space to work without spreading the virus , and housing and transportation options that will reduce the spread of the virus .
What ’ s more , food and farm workers should be provided hazard pay – not a pay cut – to reflect the risks they take and to attract new workers as others become sick .
To reduce transmission of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm workers should be provided free testing , two weeks of paid sick leave , regardless of the size of their employer , and access to health care , such as Medicaid .
Because many food and farm workers are undocumented , these and other benefits should be provided regardless of immigration status , including state benefits such as child care and overtime pay .

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, farmworkers are risking their lives to feed us. So why are some officials in the Trump administration and some Republicans in Congress trying to cut farmworkers’ pay?
National Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal report that White House officials may cut the minimum wage for some seasonal farmworkers who travel to the U.S. on guest worker visas. If the idea becomes policy, the proposal would effectively reduce the minimum wage paid to these farmworkers to $8.34 an hour in states that do not have higher minimum wages.
Under current law, employers must pay the higher of either the applicable state or federal minimum wage; the prevailing wage in that region and occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor; or the regional average farm wage found in a survey conducted by the Department of Agriculture.
Depending on the state, changes to this calculation could reduce hourly wages anywhere from $2 to $5 an hour. For example, the minimum wage for migrant workers in North Carolina would fall by nearly $4, according to Farmworker Justice.
Republicans in Congress have championed a similar proposal. H.R. 6083, the Labor Certainty for Food Security Act, would also change how wages are calculated to pay farmers 115 percent of the federal minimum wage, or of the state minimum wage, if it is higher.
Reps. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) are among the bill’s co-sponsors.
The American Farm Bureau Federation defended the proposal, telling The Wall Street Journal it was “not right” to require farmers to pay the higher wage during a pandemic. Unlike seasonal farmworkers, produce growers and other farmers represented by the Farm Bureau will be eligible for $16 billion in government relief announced Friday by USDA.
The Trump administration is taking other steps to help farmers, including temporary rules that make it easier to hire migrant workers who are already in the U.S. but may be working on other farms and speeding up the visa process for guest workers.
But the administration has not taken steps to protect farmworkers from COVID-19, who are getting sick just as the harvest season is about to begin. Although some farmworkers are able to spread out in fields, many migrant and seasonal workers are housed and transported in ways that increase the likelihood that the virus will spread. Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are often housed in hotels that have been converted to function like dormitories.
Despite the critical role food and farm workers play in our economy, few receive protections from the COVID-19 virus.
Some food and farm companies have provided personal protective equipment, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and the Department of Agriculture have not yet issued emergency standards requiring food companies to meet safety guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What’s more, many food and farm workers are not eligible for free COVID-19 testing. If they do become sick, many are ineligible for paid sick leave, increasing the likelihood that they will infect their co-workers. The Families First Act passed by Congress requires some employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave, but many food and farm companies are exempt from the requirement.
Although they have been deemed essential workers, farm and food workers do not receive hazard pay to reflect the risks they face. Because many are undocumented, many are ineligible for health benefits other workers enjoy, such as Medicaid. As a result, undocumented workers are not only denied hazard pay and sick pay but also lack access to health care, increasing the likelihood that the virus will spread as they continue to work.
Replacing sick farmworkers will not be easy. Farmers were already facing labor shortages before the pandemic. Now, as borders tighten, fewer farm and food workers are migrating to the U.S. In addition, food and farm work can be difficult, dangerous and poorly paid, so food processors and farm labor contractors may struggle to find other workers willing to risk their lives to work in meat plants, packing sheds or produce fields.
Food prices are mostly driven by the cost of labor, transportation and marketing, not by the wholesale price of ingredients. Although the salaries earned by food processing workers and farm workers are near or below the poverty line, the cost of labor is often a major factor in the price of food.
As more food and farm workers become sick, and food and farm labor costs increase, the retail price of food will likely increase as well. Food already accounts for 12 percent of household spending, but the poorest Americans spend about one-third of their income on food.
To address these risks, the USDA and OSHA must be directed to issue emergency standards that require employers to provide personal protective equipment, enough space to work without spreading the virus, and housing and transportation options that will reduce the spread of the virus.
What’s more, food and farm workers should be provided hazard pay – not a pay cut – to reflect the risks they take and to attract new workers as others become sick. To reduce transmission of the virus among workers, all food and farm workers should be provided free testing, two weeks of paid sick leave, regardless of the size of their employer, and access to health care, such as Medicaid. Because many food and farm workers are undocumented, these and other benefits should be provided regardless of immigration status, including state benefits such as child care and overtime pay.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-21--Study: Removal of ‘Forever Chemicals’ From Drinking Water Poses Severe and Costly Challenges to Loca

Study: Removal of ‘Forever Chemicals’ From Drinking Water Poses Severe and Costly Challenges to Local Communities

WASHINGTON – Removal of the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS from drinking water costs local communities millions of dollars , says a new Environmental Working Group study , published today in the European water industry journal Water Solutions .
The study documented the severe threat PFAS poses to drinking water safety , emphasizing that preventing ongoing discharges of PFAS is key to protecting public health .
“ This research reveals that escaping PFAS pollution is nearly impossible , ” said Olga Naidenko , Ph.D. , EWG vice president for science investigations .
“ Communities across the world are bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their drinking water .
This crisis calls for immediate action to ensure that all people have safe water.
” In the U.S. , PFAS contamination has been documented at over 1,400 locations in 49 states .
Given the widespread nature of PFAS contamination in the environment and the myriad ways PFAS chemicals enter surface and ground water , these contaminants likely affect drinking water worldwide .
As the full scope of contamination is revealed , numerous communities are removing PFAS from their drinking water with granular activated carbon , ion exchange or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study cites examples of the steep costs facing communities to make their water safe .
Brunswick County , N.C. , one of the hardest-hit communities , faces an estimated $ 137 million cost for reverse osmosis upgrades to a water treatment plant .
Tests commissioned by EWG have found toxic PFAS chemicals in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities , including major metropolitan areas .
Some of the highest PFAS levels detected were in samples from cities including Miami , Philadelphia , New Orleans and the northern New Jersey suburbs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tap water samples were analyzed for the presence of 30 different PFAS compounds , including chemicals from the PFAS family that are not commonly tested for in drinking water , by an accredited independent laboratory .
EWG ’ s tests found that on average , six or seven different PFAS chemicals were detected in samples .
“ These 'short-chain ' PFAS chemicals , touted by the chemical industry as safer alternatives , exhibit toxic effects similar to the ‘ long-chain ’ chemicals they ’ re meant to replace , ” said Tasha Stoiber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EWG .
“ Short-chain PFAS are also harder to remove from drinking water.
” In December , the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed to set a legally binding drinking water limit for PFAS detected in drinking water .
After EWG ’ s test results were published in January , Water Solutions invited EWG to submit the paper published today .
Communities whose water supplies are contaminated by industrial waste discharges from fluorochemical production and PFAS-based firefighting foam are struggling with the economic and health costs of contaminated drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is essential to stop industrial discharges and to implement a transition to non-PFAS-based firefighting technologies .
In April , EWG updated a map with thousands of industrial facilities likely discharging the toxic forever chemicals into the air and water in the U.S .
In addition to PFAS presence in the wastewater effluent , PFAS also end up in biosolids , or treated wastewater sludge , which are applied to agricultural fields .
PFAS contamination of the soil acts as a source of PFAS in food crops .
PFAS chemicals are typically present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment .
In addition to elevated risk of cancer , exposure to PFAS chemicals is also linked to other serious health concerns , including reproductive and developmental harms , and reduced effectiveness of vaccines .
In January , EWG researchers published a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that found the most well-studied PFAS compounds – PFOA , formerly used by DuPont to make Teflon , and PFOS , formerly an ingredient in 3M ’ s Scotchgard – exhibited up to five key carcinogenic characteristics .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national legal limit for PFAS in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act .
Several states , including New Jersey , have taken steps to set health-protective drinking water limits for some PFAS .
In January , the House voted to pass H.R .
535 , the PFAS Action Act .
H.R .
535 will immediately designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances , which will kickstart the clean-up process at contaminated sites .
H.R .
535 will also set a two-year deadline for EPA to establish a drinking water standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally restrict PFAS releases into the air and water .
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit , non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment .
Through research , advocacy and unique education tools , EWG drives consumer choice and civic action .

WASHINGTON – Removal of the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS from drinking water costs local communities millions of dollars, says a new Environmental Working Group study, published today in the European water industry journal Water Solutions. The study documented the severe threat PFAS poses to drinking water safety, emphasizing that preventing ongoing discharges of PFAS is key to protecting public health.
“This research reveals that escaping PFAS pollution is nearly impossible,” said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., EWG vice president for science investigations. “Communities across the world are bearing the burden of removing these toxic chemicals from their drinking water. This crisis calls for immediate action to ensure that all people have safe water.”
In the U.S., PFAS contamination has been documented at over 1,400 locations in 49 states. Given the widespread nature of PFAS contamination in the environment and the myriad ways PFAS chemicals enter surface and ground water, these contaminants likely affect drinking water worldwide.
As the full scope of contamination is revealed, numerous communities are removing PFAS from their drinking water with granular activated carbon, ion exchange or reverse osmosis filtration systems. The EWG study cites examples of the steep costs facing communities to make their water safe. Brunswick County, N.C., one of the hardest-hit communities, faces an estimated $137 million cost for reverse osmosis upgrades to a water treatment plant.
Tests commissioned by EWG have found toxic PFAS chemicals in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities, including major metropolitan areas. Some of the highest PFAS levels detected were in samples from cities including Miami, Philadelphia, New Orleans and the northern New Jersey suburbs of New York City.
EWG’s tap water samples were analyzed for the presence of 30 different PFAS compounds, including chemicals from the PFAS family that are not commonly tested for in drinking water, by an accredited independent laboratory. EWG’s tests found that on average, six or seven different PFAS chemicals were detected in samples.
“These 'short-chain' PFAS chemicals, touted by the chemical industry as safer alternatives, exhibit toxic effects similar to the ‘long-chain’ chemicals they’re meant to replace,” said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG. “Short-chain PFAS are also harder to remove from drinking water.”
In December, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union agreed to set a legally binding drinking water limit for PFAS detected in drinking water. After EWG’s test results were published in January, Water Solutions invited EWG to submit the paper published today.
Communities whose water supplies are contaminated by industrial waste discharges from fluorochemical production and PFAS-based firefighting foam are struggling with the economic and health costs of contaminated drinking water. To address this crisis, it is essential to stop industrial discharges and to implement a transition to non-PFAS-based firefighting technologies.
In April, EWG updated a map with thousands of industrial facilities likely discharging the toxic forever chemicals into the air and water in the U.S. In addition to PFAS presence in the wastewater effluent, PFAS also end up in biosolids, or treated wastewater sludge, which are applied to agricultural fields. PFAS contamination of the soil acts as a source of PFAS in food crops.
PFAS chemicals are typically present in complex mixtures within consumer products and the environment. In addition to elevated risk of cancer, exposure to PFAS chemicals is also linked to other serious health concerns, including reproductive and developmental harms, and reduced effectiveness of vaccines.
In January, EWG researchers published a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that found the most well-studied PFAS compounds – PFOA, formerly used by DuPont to make Teflon, and PFOS, formerly an ingredient in 3M’s Scotchgard – exhibited up to five key carcinogenic characteristics.
The Environmental Protection Agency has failed to set a national legal limit for PFAS in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Several states, including New Jersey, have taken steps to set health-protective drinking water limits for some PFAS.
In January, the House voted to pass H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act. H.R. 535 will immediately designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, which will kickstart the clean-up process at contaminated sites. H.R. 535 will also set a two-year deadline for EPA to establish a drinking water standard, and set deadlines for EPA to finally restrict PFAS releases into the air and water.
###
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-22--COVID-19 Bill Fails To Protect Workers and Hungry Families

Here is a statement by Scott Faber , senior vice president for the Environmental Working Group , on the $ @ @ @ @ @ under consideration by Congress : The bill passed Tuesday by the Senate , under consideration @ @ @ @ @ , falls woefully short of what ’ s needed to protect food and farm workers @ @ @ @ @ families struggling with hunger .
Many of the people who feed us are unusually susceptible @ @ @ @ @ the nation .
As more and more become sick , food supply chains could quickly @ @ @ @ @ to spike .
Congress missed an opportunity to ensure that food and farm workers have @ @ @ @ @ testing , sick pay and hazard pay .
Congress also missed an opportunity to increase @ @ @ @ @ help ensure every family has enough to eat .
Legislators must do more to protect @ @ @ @ @ the people who take great personal risks to feed us .

Here is a statement by Scott Faber, senior vice president for the Environmental Working Group, on the $484 billion COVID-19 bill currently under consideration by Congress:
The bill passed Tuesday by the Senate, under consideration by the House on Thursday, falls woefully short of what’s needed to protect food and farm workers or address the needs of families struggling with hunger. Many of the people who feed us are unusually susceptible to the COVID-19 virus sweeping the nation. As more and more become sick, food supply chains could quickly unravel, causing food prices to spike.
Congress missed an opportunity to ensure that food and farm workers have protective gear, free COVID-19 testing, sick pay and hazard pay. Congress also missed an opportunity to increase the standard SNAP benefits to help ensure every family has enough to eat. Legislators must do more to protect our food supply chains and the people who take great personal risks to feed us.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-22--It’s Time To Switch to PFAS-Free Firefighting Foams

Firefighting foam is one of the most significant sources of water contamination from the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS .
PFAS-based firefighting foams have been widely used by the military , fire training centers and airports for five decades , even though the Pentagon has known since the 1970s that PFAS is toxic .
PFAS is the key ingredient in a special kind of firefighting foam – aqueous film-forming foam , or AFFF , typically used on high-heat fuel fires .
For decades , AFFF discharged during fire emergencies and routine training exercises has resulted in large releases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In some kinds of training exercises , entire hangars are filled with PFAS-laden AFFF and then released into the environment .
PFAS are known as “ forever chemicals , ” because once released into the environment , they never break down .
They also build up in our bodies , where they can stay for decades .
PFAS chemicals are associated with cancer , reproductive and developmental harms , and harm to the immune system .
In December , Congress made the historic decision to phase out PFAS in military firefighting foams by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Aviation Administration to change its rules so that airports could also switch to PFAS-free foams .
Viable alternatives to AFFF are already on the market , already meet the international aviation standards used by airports all over the world and should be adopted by the military and airports immediately .
As of April 2019 , there were more than 100 fluorine-free foams available from 24 manufacturers .
Firefighters in particular should not have to wait .
Studies show that firefighters have higher levels of PFAS in their blood serum than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various internationally accepted certifications and approvals , including the International Civil Aviation Organization Level B , an internal oil industry standard known as LASTFIRE and the International Maritime Organization MSC.1/Circ .
1312 .
Although PFAS-based and PFAS-free foams do not perform identically , firefighters can adjust their tactics to ensure the effectiveness of PFAS-free foams .
Unfortunately , as Randy Krause , fire chief at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport , explained in testimony before the Washington State Senate , tests often do not account for firefighting tactics and techniques that enhance the performance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective than they are in practice .
Fluorine-free firefighting foams have been available for nearly 20 years , and rapid advances in the technology have been made over the past decade .
In 2002 , 3M filed the world ’ s first patent for a fluorine-free firefighting foam .
When 3M quit the foam business , it sold the patents to a Norwegian company , Solberg .
PFAS-free foams are already being used successfully by airports , militaries , and oil and chemical companies across the globe .
Fluorine-free foams are used by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All 27 major Australian airports have transitioned to fluorine-free foams , as have many major international airports , including London Heathrow and Gatwick , Paris-Charles De Gaulle and Dubai .
Fluorine-free foams are used by oil and chemical manufacturers , including BP , ExxonMobil , Statoil , BASF , AkzoNobel , Pfizer and Lilly .
Fluorine-free foams have a track record of effectiveness .
In 2013 , fluorine-free foam put out an aircraft fire at Heathrow in less than three minutes , and all passengers were evacuated safely .
In 2018 , LASTFIRE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dallas-Fort Worth Fire Research and Training Center and found that fluorine-free foams performed “ exceptionally well.
” Nearly 100 fluorine-free foams have been identified by the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute , and now there is a eco-label to certify fluorine-free foams .
PFAS-based AFFF is already banned in several places .
In 2018 , the Australian state of South Australia became the first government body in the world to ban fluorinated firefighting foams .
Queensland , another Australian state , has banned PFAS foams , with some exceptions .
That same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefighting foam but exempted oil facilities , chemical plants and airports , but this year the state eliminated those exemptions .
Colorado , Minnesota , New Hampshire and New York have also banned PFAS in firefighting foam .
Several states , including California , Connecticut , Illinois , Iowa , North Carolina and Vermont , are also considering banning PFAS in firefighting foams .
Because effective alternatives are already widely available , neither the military nor the Federal Aviation Administration should wait to change their regulations to allow for fluorine-free foams .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests will be manipulated to maintain the status quo .
The FAA insists on conducting its own tests and has built a new facility where it has conducted extensive tests of fluorine-free foams .
Instead of delaying action by conducting duplicative tests , the FAA should quickly move forward to allow airports to use fluorine-free foams that meet international aviation standards .
Last year , 31 environmental groups urged FAA acting Administrator Daniel Elwell to move right away : “ Outside of the United States , ” the groups wrote , “ major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ICAO B standard .
There is nothing to prevent FAA from immediately making this change to allow US airports to meet this standard.
” Likewise , military specifications for firefighting foam still require the use of PFAS .
The Department of Defense should move quickly to change its regulations and should make the switch to fluorine-free foam before 2024 .
There is huge momentum toward ending the use of PFAS-based foams .
States and countries are banning it , foam manufacturers are making PFAS-free foams , and there is a new green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are headed toward a PFAS-free future .
It ’ s time for the FAA and the Pentagon to catch up and step up to protect drinking water , firefighter health and all of us from these dangerous chemicals .

Firefighting foam is one of the most significant sources of water contamination from the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS. PFAS-based firefighting foams have been widely used by the military, fire training centers and airports for five decades, even though the Pentagon has known since the 1970s that PFAS is toxic.
PFAS is the key ingredient in a special kind of firefighting foam – aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, typically used on high-heat fuel fires. For decades, AFFF discharged during fire emergencies and routine training exercises has resulted in large releases of PFAS into nearby drinking water sources. In some kinds of training exercises, entire hangars are filled with PFAS-laden AFFF and then released into the environment.
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals,” because once released into the environment, they never break down. They also build up in our bodies, where they can stay for decades. PFAS chemicals are associated with cancer, reproductive and developmental harms, and harm to the immune system.
In December, Congress made the historic decision to phase out PFAS in military firefighting foams by 2024. In 2018, Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration to change its rules so that airports could also switch to PFAS-free foams.
We shouldn’t wait that long.
Viable alternatives to AFFF are already on the market, already meet the international aviation standards used by airports all over the world and should be adopted by the military and airports immediately. As of April 2019, there were more than 100 fluorine-free foams available from 24 manufacturers.
Firefighters in particular should not have to wait. Studies show that firefighters have higher levels of PFAS in their blood serum than the average American.
Fluorine-free foams already meet various internationally accepted certifications and approvals, including the International Civil Aviation Organization Level B, an internal oil industry standard known as LASTFIRE and the International Maritime Organization MSC.1/Circ. 1312.
Although PFAS-based and PFAS-free foams do not perform identically, firefighters can adjust their tactics to ensure the effectiveness of PFAS-free foams. Unfortunately, as Randy Krause, fire chief at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, explained in testimony before the Washington State Senate, tests often do not account for firefighting tactics and techniques that enhance the performance of fluorine-free foams, making them appear less effective than they are in practice.
Fluorine-free firefighting foams have been available for nearly 20 years, and rapid advances in the technology have been made over the past decade. In 2002, 3M filed the world’s first patent for a fluorine-free firefighting foam. When 3M quit the foam business, it sold the patents to a Norwegian company, Solberg.
PFAS-free foams are already being used successfully by airports, militaries, and oil and chemical companies across the globe.
Fluorine-free foams are used by the Danish and Norwegian armed forces. All 27 major Australian airports have transitioned to fluorine-free foams, as have many major international airports, including London Heathrow and Gatwick, Paris-Charles De Gaulle and Dubai. Fluorine-free foams are used by oil and chemical manufacturers, including BP, ExxonMobil, Statoil, BASF, AkzoNobel, Pfizer and Lilly.
Fluorine-free foams have a track record of effectiveness. In 2013, fluorine-free foam put out an aircraft fire at Heathrow in less than three minutes, and all passengers were evacuated safely. In 2018, LASTFIRE conducted tests on fluorine-free foams at the Dallas-Fort Worth Fire Research and Training Center and found that fluorine-free foams performed “exceptionally well.” Nearly 100 fluorine-free foams have been identified by the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute, and now there is a eco-label to certify fluorine-free foams.
PFAS-based AFFF is already banned in several places.
In 2018, the Australian state of South Australia became the first government body in the world to ban fluorinated firefighting foams. Queensland, another Australian state, has banned PFAS foams, with some exceptions. That same year, Washington State banned PFAS in firefighting foam but exempted oil facilities, chemical plants and airports, but this year the state eliminated those exemptions. Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire and New York have also banned PFAS in firefighting foam. Several states, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina and Vermont, are also considering banning PFAS in firefighting foams.
Because effective alternatives are already widely available, neither the military nor the Federal Aviation Administration should wait to change their regulations to allow for fluorine-free foams. But there is reason to worry that government tests will be manipulated to maintain the status quo.
The FAA insists on conducting its own tests and has built a new facility where it has conducted extensive tests of fluorine-free foams. Instead of delaying action by conducting duplicative tests, the FAA should quickly move forward to allow airports to use fluorine-free foams that meet international aviation standards.
Last year, 31 environmental groups urged FAA acting Administrator Daniel Elwell to move right away: “Outside of the United States,” the groups wrote, “major airports have adopted PFAS-free foams that meet the ICAO B standard. There is nothing to prevent FAA from immediately making this change to allow US airports to meet this standard.”
Likewise, military specifications for firefighting foam still require the use of PFAS. The Department of Defense should move quickly to change its regulations and should make the switch to fluorine-free foam before 2024.
There is huge momentum toward ending the use of PFAS-based foams. States and countries are banning it, foam manufacturers are making PFAS-free foams, and there is a new green certification to ensure they are safer. We are headed toward a PFAS-free future. It’s time for the FAA and the Pentagon to catch up and step up to protect drinking water, firefighter health and all of us from these dangerous chemicals.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-23--Trump’s Farm Relief Won’t Protect Essential Farmworkers From COVID-19

The Trump administration ’ s plan to spend billions to address the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on agriculture may help industrial-scale produce farms but does little to assist farmworkers threatened by COVID-19 , a new EWG analysis shows .
Last week , the Department of Agriculture announced a $ 19 billion COVID-19 relief initiative , including $ 16 billion in direct payments to farmers .
These new payments come on top of at least $ 14 billion in payments made to offset the effects of the Trump administration ’ s trade war with China and more than $ 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidies .
• EWG ’ s analysis of USDA data , obtained through the Freedom of Information Act , shows that in the 100 counties with the most farmworkers , more than $ 590 million in recent trade bailout payments were sent , with no requirement that any of those funds be used to improve the conditions of farmworkers .
• And as the pandemic rages across the nation , thousands of cases and deaths are reported in counties with large populations of farmworkers .
Yet none of the taxpayer dollars in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection of farmworkers – no funds for personal protection equipment or for supporting housing and transportation options that will reduce the spread of the virus .
Instead , based on past trade relief spending patterns , most of these new pandemic-specific payments will flow to the largest and most successful agribusinesses .
This interactive map overlays locations of reported COVID-19 cases on counties with the highest number of farmworkers , based on USDA figures for hired labor expenses .
Clicking on a county brings up details , including USDA payments for the trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Risk of COVID-19 Source : EWG , from USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture and records of payments under the Market Facilitation Program , and coronavirus cases reported by Johns Hopkins University as of April 21 .
For example : Chester County , Pa. , is shaded dark to indicate a heavy concentration of farmworkers .
The pop-up box details the county ’ s COVID-19 cases , its farm labor payroll and how much its farmers got through the trade war bailout , known as the Market Facilitation Program .
The harvest season is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmworkers into the fields , but the Trump administration has so far refused to protect them from COVID-19 .
Although some farmworkers are able to spread out in fields , many migrant and seasonal workers are housed and transported in ways that increase the likelihood that the virus will spread .
Yet neither the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , or OSHA , nor the USDA has issued emergency standards requiring food and farm employers to meet safety guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Instead , the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ wages .
National Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal report that White House officials may cut the minimum wage for some seasonal farmworkers who travel to the U.S. on guest worker visas .
If the idea becomes policy , the proposal would effectively reduce the minimum wage paid to these farmworkers to $ 8.34 an hour in states that do not have higher minimum wages .
Under current law , employers must pay the higher of either the state or federal minimum wage ; the prevailing wage in that region and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Labor ; or the regional average farm wage , found in a survey conducted by the USDA .
Depending on the state , changes to this calculation could reduce hourly wages anywhere from $ 2 to $ 5 an hour .
For example , the minimum wage for migrant workers in North Carolina would fall by nearly $ 4 , according to Farmworker Justice .
Republicans in Congress have championed a similar proposal .
H.R .
6083 , the Labor Certainty for Food Security Act , would also change how wages are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal minimum wage , or of the state minimum wage , if it is higher .
Reps. Ted Yoho ( R-Fla. ) , Glenn Thompson ( R-Pa. ) , Andy Barr ( R-Ky. ) , Neal Dunn ( R-Fla. ) , Ted Budd ( R-N.C. ) , Vicky Hartzler ( R-Mo . )
, Michael McCaul ( R-Texas ) , Mike Kelly ( R-Pa. ) and Ralph Norman ( R-S.C. ) are among the bill ’ s co-sponsors .
The American Farm Bureau Federation , which lauded Trump ’ s relief for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bailout checks even before COVID-19 struck , defended the proposal to cut farmworker wages .
A Farm Bureau executive told The Wall Street Journal it was “ not right ” to require farmers to pay the higher wage during a pandemic .
Meanwhile , there are no income limits on wealthy farm owners for COVID-19 bailout payments , as long as 75 percent or more of their income derives from agriculture .
If you drop below that threshold , the income limit is a very generous $ 900,000 .
Many food and farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
If they do become sick , many are ineligible for paid sick leave , increasing the likelihood that they will infect their co-workers .
The Families First Act passed by Congress requires some employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave , but many food and farm companies are exempt from the requirement .
Although they have been deemed essential workers , farm and food workers do not receive hazard pay to reflect the risks they face .
Because many are undocumented , many are ineligible for health benefits other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , undocumented workers are not only denied hazard pay and sick pay but also lack access to health care , increasing the likelihood that the virus will spread as they continue to work .
Replacing sick farmworkers will not be easy .
Farmers were already facing labor shortages before the pandemic .
Now that the Trump administration has suspended immigration , fewer farm and food workers will be able to migrate to the U.S .
In addition , food and farm work can be difficult and dangerous , so food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find other workers willing to risk their lives to work in meat plants , packing sheds or produce fields .
Food prices are mostly driven by the cost of labor , transportation and marketing , not by the wholesale price of ingredients .
Although the salaries earned by food processing workers and farm workers are near or below the poverty line , the cost of labor is often a major factor in the price of food .
As more food and farm workers become sick , and food and farm labor costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely increase as well .
Food already accounts for 12 percent of household spending , but the poorest Americans spend about one-third of their income on food .
To address these risks , the USDA and OSHA must be directed to issue emergency standards that require employers to provide personal protective equipment , enough space to work without spreading the virus , and housing and transportation options that will reduce the spread of the virus .
What ’ s more , food and farm workers should be provided hazard pay – not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks they take and to attract new workers as others become sick .
To reduce transmission of the virus among workers , all food and farm workers should be provided free testing , two weeks of paid sick leave , regardless of the size of their employer , and access to health care , such as Medicaid .
Because many food and farm workers are undocumented , these and other benefits , including state benefits such as child care and overtime pay , should be provided regardless of immigration status .
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s clear the federal government has a critical role to play in protecting farmworkers who are putting themselves in harm 's way to ensure we have enough food to eat .
Sending another endless round of big checks to owners of America ’ s largest farms without helping farmworkers is not just wrong – it ’ s dangerous .

The Trump administration’s plan to spend billions to address the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on agriculture may help industrial-scale produce farms but does little to assist farmworkers threatened by COVID-19, a new EWG analysis shows.
Last week, the Department of Agriculture announced a $19 billion COVID-19 relief initiative, including $16 billion in direct payments to farmers. These new payments come on top of at least $14 billion in payments made to offset the effects of the Trump administration’s trade war with China and more than $15 billion in ongoing, annual taxpayer-funded farm subsidies.
EWG’s analysis of USDA data, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, shows that in the 100 counties with the most farmworkers, more than $590 million in recent trade bailout payments were sent, with no requirement that any of those funds be used to improve the conditions of farmworkers.
And as the pandemic rages across the nation, thousands of cases and deaths are reported in counties with large populations of farmworkers. Yet none of the taxpayer dollars in the new USDA initiative is earmarked for the protection of farmworkers – no funds for personal protection equipment or for supporting housing and transportation options that will reduce the spread of the virus. Instead, based on past trade relief spending patterns, most of these new pandemic-specific payments will flow to the largest and most successful agribusinesses.
This interactive map overlays locations of reported COVID-19 cases on counties with the highest number of farmworkers, based on USDA figures for hired labor expenses. Clicking on a county brings up details, including USDA payments for the trade war bailout.
Farmworkers Are at Heightened Risk of COVID-19
Source: EWG, from USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture and records of payments under the Market Facilitation Program, and coronavirus cases reported by Johns Hopkins University as of April 21.
For example: Chester County, Pa., is shaded dark to indicate a heavy concentration of farmworkers. The pop-up box details the county’s COVID-19 cases, its farm labor payroll and how much its farmers got through the trade war bailout, known as the Market Facilitation Program.
The harvest season is about to begin, bringing thousands of farmworkers into the fields, but the Trump administration has so far refused to protect them from COVID-19. Although some farmworkers are able to spread out in fields, many migrant and seasonal workers are housed and transported in ways that increase the likelihood that the virus will spread.
Yet neither the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, nor the USDA has issued emergency standards requiring food and farm employers to meet safety guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, the Trump administration is seeking ways to cut farmworkers’ wages.
National Public Radio and The Wall Street Journal report that White House officials may cut the minimum wage for some seasonal farmworkers who travel to the U.S. on guest worker visas. If the idea becomes policy, the proposal would effectively reduce the minimum wage paid to these farmworkers to $8.34 an hour in states that do not have higher minimum wages.
Under current law, employers must pay the higher of either the state or federal minimum wage; the prevailing wage in that region and occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor; or the regional average farm wage, found in a survey conducted by the USDA.
Depending on the state, changes to this calculation could reduce hourly wages anywhere from $2 to $5 an hour. For example, the minimum wage for migrant workers in North Carolina would fall by nearly $4, according to Farmworker Justice.
Republicans in Congress have championed a similar proposal. H.R. 6083, the Labor Certainty for Food Security Act, would also change how wages are calculated to pay farmers 115 percent of the federal minimum wage, or of the state minimum wage, if it is higher. Reps. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) are among the bill’s co-sponsors.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, which lauded Trump’s relief for farmers and had been calling for more bailout checks even before COVID-19 struck, defended the proposal to cut farmworker wages. A Farm Bureau executive told The Wall Street Journal it was “not right” to require farmers to pay the higher wage during a pandemic.
Meanwhile, there are no income limits on wealthy farm owners for COVID-19 bailout payments, as long as 75 percent or more of their income derives from agriculture. If you drop below that threshold, the income limit is a very generous $900,000.
Many food and farm workers are not eligible for free COVID-19 testing. If they do become sick, many are ineligible for paid sick leave, increasing the likelihood that they will infect their co-workers. The Families First Act passed by Congress requires some employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave, but many food and farm companies are exempt from the requirement.
Although they have been deemed essential workers, farm and food workers do not receive hazard pay to reflect the risks they face. Because many are undocumented, many are ineligible for health benefits other workers enjoy, such as Medicaid. As a result, undocumented workers are not only denied hazard pay and sick pay but also lack access to health care, increasing the likelihood that the virus will spread as they continue to work.
Replacing sick farmworkers will not be easy. Farmers were already facing labor shortages before the pandemic. Now that the Trump administration has suspended immigration, fewer farm and food workers will be able to migrate to the U.S. In addition, food and farm work can be difficult and dangerous, so food processors and farm labor contractors may struggle to find other workers willing to risk their lives to work in meat plants, packing sheds or produce fields.
Food prices are mostly driven by the cost of labor, transportation and marketing, not by the wholesale price of ingredients. Although the salaries earned by food processing workers and farm workers are near or below the poverty line, the cost of labor is often a major factor in the price of food.
As more food and farm workers become sick, and food and farm labor costs increase, the retail price of food will likely increase as well. Food already accounts for 12 percent of household spending, but the poorest Americans spend about one-third of their income on food.
To address these risks, the USDA and OSHA must be directed to issue emergency standards that require employers to provide personal protective equipment, enough space to work without spreading the virus, and housing and transportation options that will reduce the spread of the virus.
What’s more, food and farm workers should be provided hazard pay – not a pay cut – to reflect the risks they take and to attract new workers as others become sick. To reduce transmission of the virus among workers, all food and farm workers should be provided free testing, two weeks of paid sick leave, regardless of the size of their employer, and access to health care, such as Medicaid. Because many food and farm workers are undocumented, these and other benefits, including state benefits such as child care and overtime pay, should be provided regardless of immigration status.
In this time of national emergency, it’s clear the federal government has a critical role to play in protecting farmworkers who are putting themselves in harm's way to ensure we have enough food to eat. Sending another endless round of big checks to owners of America’s largest farms without helping farmworkers is not just wrong – it’s dangerous.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-04-23--Mapping the PFAS Contamination Crisis

Mapping the PFAS Contamination Crisis

Research by the Environmental Working Group and the PFAS Project at Northeastern University ’ s Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute , or SSEHRI , has helped to map the crisis of contamination with the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS , now recorded at more than 1,400 locations in 49 states .
This joint project brought significant public , media and legislative attention to the issue of widespread PFAS contamination .
Since 2017 , the project has led to more than 600 news stories and more than 860,000 map views .
EWG was an early leader in PFAS research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began publishing reports on the toxicity of the fluorinated compound PFOA , based on documents made public through the work of environmental attorney Rob Bilott , who brought a federal class-action suit against DuPont for polluting local water supplies in West Virginia and Ohio .
The lawsuit led to the biggest epidemiological study on the health effects of PFOA – an eight-carbon member of the PFAS family of chemicals – on human health .
The study found a probable link between PFOA exposure and high cholesterol , ulcerative colitis , thyroid disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypertension .
Over the next decade , EWG wrote reports , tested and found umbilical cord blood contaminated with PFAS , petitioned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor Americans for PFAS , and raised alarm about widespread contamination of water and food .
In 2015 , EWG published a county-level map that documented hundreds of known PFAS detections in U.S. drinking water .
SSEHRI ’ s interest in tracking PFAS contamination began in 2015 , when there were only a handful of known contamination sites .
Of particular interest was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about PFAS contamination came through the public voicing their concerns .
From the Tennant farm in West Virginia to the discovery of PFOA contamination in Hoosick Falls , N.Y. , concerned Americans prompted investigations into PFAS contamination , often against significant opposition and technical barriers .
The collaboration between EWG and SSEHRI helped elevate PFAS contamination from a local and personal concern into a national crisis .
In the absence of rigorous monitoring and testing by government agencies , our two organizations collectively pooled data to illuminate the extent of this problem in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly known PFAS pollution in public water systems and on or near military bases , airports , industrial plants and dumps , and firefighter training sites .
Initial data about PFAS in drinking water came from two sources : testing mandated under the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program in 2013-2015 and SSEHRI ’ s PFAS Contamination Site Tracker which gathered data from community groups , government reports and the news media .
Since that time , tests conducted in many more locations and with increasingly sensitive analytic detection methods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shown that it is much more widespread than previously thought .
Our collaborative mapping project was publicly released at the first national PFAS Conference , in 2017 , hosted by SSEHRI and organized by a committee including activists and scientists .
EWG President Ken Cook gave a keynote speech to unveil the map , which at the time showed how PFAS-contaminated water in 27 states was in the water supplies for 15 million Americans .
Through periodic updates to the map over the past three years , EWG and SSEHRI added hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing data ; documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showing previously unknown PFAS levels ; community and social movement information ; and news reports .
The map has attracted significant media attention and website traffic and undoubtedly contributed to greater awareness of the PFAS contamination crisis .
In addition , the map ’ s prominence has led to dozens of data requests for SSEHRI ’ s Contamination Site Tracker , aiding state governments , academic researchers and students .
The map has also been used to argue for greater regulation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carper ( D-Del . )
, ranking Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee , produced an oversize version of the map and held it up at a hearing in March 2019 .
Today we are proud that communities across the U.S. are responding to the PFAS contamination crisis by organizing and advocating for safe drinking water .
Sometimes the source of PFAS contamination is known , such as an upstream discharge of PFAS from industrial sources , as documented in North Carolina ’ s Cape Fear River basin , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In other cases , it is more difficult to determine the source or sources of contamination .
Mapping PFAS contamination sites brings us closer to the shared goal of ensuring public health by protecting drinking water from PFAS contamination .
EWG ’ s and SSEHRI ’ s work on mapping PFAS will now branch into two distinct projects .
• EWG will continue the map updates , with a focus on capturing the extent of PFAS water contamination , as documented by states , the Department of Defense and EWG ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also launching a PFAS Atlas that combines the water contamination map , a map of suspected industrial dischargers and a map of PFAS pollution at U.S. military bases .
• SSEHRI ’ s data will be merged with Silent Spring Institute ’ s PFAS Exchange map , which is part of a collaborative project funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences .
That map helps affected residents and community groups to access information about data in their states and learn how to connect with other activists working on PFAS issues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the opportunity to combine our time and skill sets as we work toward an effective public intervention in the global PFAS crisis .

Research by the Environmental Working Group and the PFAS Project at Northeastern University’s Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, or SSEHRI, has helped to map the crisis of contamination with the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS, now recorded at more than 1,400 locations in 49 states. This joint project brought significant public, media and legislative attention to the issue of widespread PFAS contamination. Since 2017, the project has led to more than 600 news stories and more than 860,000 map views.
EWG was an early leader in PFAS research and advocacy. In 2002, EWG began publishing reports on the toxicity of the fluorinated compound PFOA, based on documents made public through the work of environmental attorney Rob Bilott, who brought a federal class-action suit against DuPont for polluting local water supplies in West Virginia and Ohio. The lawsuit led to the biggest epidemiological study on the health effects of PFOA – an eight-carbon member of the PFAS family of chemicals – on human health. The study found a probable link between PFOA exposure and high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular and kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Over the next decade, EWG wrote reports, tested and found umbilical cord blood contaminated with PFAS, petitioned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor Americans for PFAS, and raised alarm about widespread contamination of water and food. In 2015, EWG published a county-level map that documented hundreds of known PFAS detections in U.S. drinking water.
SSEHRI’s interest in tracking PFAS contamination began in 2015, when there were only a handful of known contamination sites. Of particular interest was the observation that much of the knowledge about PFAS contamination came through the public voicing their concerns. From the Tennant farm in West Virginia to the discovery of PFOA contamination in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., concerned Americans prompted investigations into PFAS contamination, often against significant opposition and technical barriers.
The collaboration between EWG and SSEHRI helped elevate PFAS contamination from a local and personal concern into a national crisis. In the absence of rigorous monitoring and testing by government agencies, our two organizations collectively pooled data to illuminate the extent of this problem in real time.
PFAS contamination map: https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2019_pfas_contamination/map/
The mapping project documented publicly known PFAS pollution in public water systems and on or near military bases, airports, industrial plants and dumps, and firefighter training sites. Initial data about PFAS in drinking water came from two sources: testing mandated under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program in 2013-2015 and SSEHRI’s PFAS Contamination Site Tracker , which gathered data from community groups, government reports and the news media.
Since that time, tests conducted in many more locations and with increasingly sensitive analytic detection methods have documented the extent of PFAS pollution and shown that it is much more widespread than previously thought.
Our collaborative mapping project was publicly released at the first national PFAS Conference, in 2017, hosted by SSEHRI and organized by a committee including activists and scientists. EWG President Ken Cook gave a keynote speech to unveil the map, which at the time showed how PFAS-contaminated water in 27 states was in the water supplies for 15 million Americans.
Through periodic updates to the map over the past three years, EWG and SSEHRI added hundreds of additional sites using publicly available government testing data; documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showing previously unknown PFAS levels; community and social movement information; and news reports.
The map has attracted significant media attention and website traffic and undoubtedly contributed to greater awareness of the PFAS contamination crisis. In addition, the map’s prominence has led to dozens of data requests for SSEHRI’s Contamination Site Tracker, aiding state governments, academic researchers and students.
The map has also been used to argue for greater regulation of PFAS. For example, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, produced an oversize version of the map and held it up at a hearing in March 2019.
Today we are proud that communities across the U.S. are responding to the PFAS contamination crisis by organizing and advocating for safe drinking water. Sometimes the source of PFAS contamination is known, such as an upstream discharge of PFAS from industrial sources, as documented in North Carolina’s Cape Fear River basin, or groundwater contamination from earlier PFAS disposal practices. In other cases, it is more difficult to determine the source or sources of contamination.
Mapping PFAS contamination sites brings us closer to the shared goal of ensuring public health by protecting drinking water from PFAS contamination.
EWG’s and SSEHRI’s work on mapping PFAS will now branch into two distinct projects.
EWG will continue the map updates, with a focus on capturing the extent of PFAS water contamination, as documented by states, the Department of Defense and EWG’s own water sampling projects. EWG is also launching a PFAS Atlas that combines the water contamination map, a map of suspected industrial dischargers and a map of PFAS pollution at U.S. military bases.
SSEHRI’s data will be merged with Silent Spring Institute’s PFAS Exchange map, which is part of a collaborative project funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. That map helps affected residents and community groups to access information about data in their states and learn how to connect with other activists working on PFAS issues.
Our two organizations are grateful to have had the opportunity to combine our time and skill sets as we work toward an effective public intervention in the global PFAS crisis.