environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-09--EWG News Roundup (10/9): Nitrate Contaminates Water in California’s Majority-Latino Communities, Mem

EWG News Roundup (10/9): Nitrate Contaminates Water in California’s Majority-Latino Communities, Members of Congress Rake in Farm Subsidies and More

This week EWG released an analysis showing that in California ’ s majority-Latino communities , 5.25 million people drink tap water contaminated with nitrate at levels at or above the federal limit .
“ The more nitrate that contaminates a California tap water system , the more likely it is the system is located in a majority-Latino census block group , particularly in the San Joaquin Valley , ” said Anne Schechinger , EWG senior economic analyst and author of the report .
“ Because the vast majority of the Valley ’ s essential farmworkers are also Latino , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food basket , many people are drinking water contaminated by the very farms that employ them.
” EWG also investigated and found that 33 members of Congress and their immediate family members collected a total of nearly $ 16 million in federal farm subsidies between 1995 and 2020 .
Former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. William Foege called on current director Dr. Robert Redfield to resign over the government ’ s failed response to the coronavirus pandemic .
This comes on the heels of EWG President Ken Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redfield to step down .
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a nationwide hunger crisis , with more than 22 million American households now qualifying for federal food assistance .
EWG broke down the many ways in which President Trump ’ s disastrous response to the crisis rivals President Hoover ’ s incompetence leading up to the Great Depression .
Here ’ s some news you can use going into the weekend .
The Environmental Working Group gives Lavera Baby and Children Sun Milk an overall score of 3/10 on the safety factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only moderate health concerns .
This statement is signed by the following groups… Disability Rights Advocates , End Citizens United / Let America Vote Action Fund , Environmental Working Group .
The EWG report reviewed nitrate tests over a longer time frame than the state ’ s analysis because nitrate levels can vary from year to year and reveal trends , said Anne Weir Schechinger , EWG senior economic analyst and author of the report .
Common Dreams : EWG Investigation : In California ’ s Majority-Latino Communities , 5.25 Million Drink Tap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s majority-Latino communities , 5.25 million people drink tap water contaminated with nitrate at levels at or above the federal limit , according to an Environmental Working Group analysis of state and federal data .
InStyle : California Is Banning 24 Ingredients From Beauty Products- But What Does This Really Mean ?
The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act is largely supported and initiated by the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , a non-profit organization that `` specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies , toxic chemicals , drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The Optimist Daily : California moves to ban toxic chemicals from cosmetics As reported by the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act targets 24 toxic chemicals including mercury and formaldehyde that have been linked to cancer , birth defects , hormone disruption , and other negative health impacts .
CalPIRG was one of AB 2762 ’ s four sponsors , along with the Environmental Working Group , Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Black Women for Wellness , according to Rusch .
Patch ( Manhattan Beach , Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act , Banning The Manufacture Or Sale Of Cosmetic Products Containing 24 Specified Toxic Chemicals '' This unprecedented bill is such a breakthrough ! ''
said Susan Little , Environmental Working Group 's ( EWG ) senior advocate for California government affairs .
The List : Here ’ s what California ’ s new cosmetics bill could mean for your makeup Janet Nudelman , bill co-sponsor , confirmed that the majority of the banned-chemicals are also linked to breast cancer , pointing to the dangers of formaldehyde in bubble baths and mercury in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
InStyle : What Goes Into a Clean Mascara- and What ’ s Left Out ?
The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) has created a list featuring a plethora of potentially toxic ingredients found in personal care products that may be linked to cancer and other serious health concerns .
This clean and sustainably packaged deodorant is rated as low rink in the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database , and contains no aluminum which research suggests may be a risk factor in developing breast cancer .
The Beacon ( Md.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , others to avoid Today , I ’ ll list some of the safest commercial hand sanitizers on the market .
Some of them are sprays , and others are wipes .
I ’ ve based my list below on the organization called EWG Skin Deep .
Fast Company : Michelle Pfeiffer trades the glamour of the red carpet for startup life The line has passed the rigorous verification standards of the Environmental Working Group , which researches toxic chemicals .
Before It ’ s News : Smart Skin Care : How to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environmental Working Group recently launched a new label ( EWG Verified ) that certifies cosmetic products that meet stringent ingredient and transparency requirements .
Absolute Seychelles Magazine : Purple4Ocean Ocean & Reef Safe SunCare Comes to the US and Europe It is the only FDA ( Food & Drug Administration ) and TGA ( Therapeutic Goods Administration ) approved broad-spectrum sun protection ingredient , and unlike any other active ingredient , its concentration in a product has no limitation .
It is also the EWG ( Environmental Working Group ) nº1 ingredient for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s Too Little , Too Late.
’ Trump ’ s push to give federal aid to crucial 2020 voting blocs undermined by uneven execution About 25 dairy farms in Wisconsin have filed for bankruptcy this year alone , despite almost all receiving money from Trump ’ s bailout , according to a review of court records conducted by the Environmental Working Group , a watchdog group .
The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) tested farmed salmon from U.S. grocery stores and found farmed salmon had , on average:16 times more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salmon , four times more PCBs than beef , [ and ] 3.4 times more PCBs than other seafood .
Similarly , environmental groups , including Safer Chemicals Healthy Families and the Environmental Working Group , sent a letter to the same committee leaders Sept. 17 , urging adoption of the existing House measures into the final bill .
The Conversation : PFAS ‘ forever chemicals ’ are widespread and threaten human health- here ’ s a strategy for protecting the public According to a recent estimate by the Environmental Working Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 110 million Americans could be drinking PFAS-contaminated water .
Nashoba Valley Voice ( Mass . )
: New standards for PFAS in drinking water established The Environmental Working Group , a Washington , D.C.-based nonprofit , claimed in 2019 that the compound traces came from firefighting foam that was used at the former Army base .
Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine : B.C .
company ’ s technology removes PFAS and EDCs from leachate and industrial effluents New research by the non-profit Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , shows they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Choose organic versions of the Dirty Dozen from EWG.org Today : 20 years after 'Erin Brockovich , ' the real Erin Brockovich is still fighting Brockovich is referring to just how much our tap water is infiltrated by chromium-6 , the cancer-causing heavy metal featured in the film .
Nearly 200 million Americans across all 50 states are exposed to unsafe levels of chromium-6 , according to a 2016 report released by the nonprofit research and advocacy organization Environmental Working Group .
According to the Environmental Working Group ’ s report on tap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with heavy metals , Chromium-6 , cleaning agents like chlorine , or some 300 other chemicals and pollutants .
Experience Life : How Good Is Your Tap Water ?
If you ever wonder about the quality of what ’ s coming out of your faucet , the nonprofit Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) has answers .
The organization offers a free online nationwide Tap Water Database with records of 50,000 municipal utility companies : Simply enter your ZIP code and the site reveals pollutants found in your water — and the concerns @ @ @

This week EWG released an analysis showing that in California’s majority-Latino communities, 5.25 million people drink tap water contaminated with nitrate at levels at or above the federal limit.
“The more nitrate that contaminates a California tap water system, the more likely it is the system is located in a majority-Latino census block group, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Anne Schechinger, EWG senior economic analyst and author of the report. “Because the vast majority of the Valley’s essential farmworkers are also Latino, this means that in the nation’s food basket, many people are drinking water contaminated by the very farms that employ them.”
EWG also investigated and found that 33 members of Congress and their immediate family members collected a total of nearly $16 million in federal farm subsidies between 1995 and 2020.
Former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. William Foege called on current director Dr. Robert Redfield to resign over the government’s failed response to the coronavirus pandemic. This comes on the heels of EWG President Ken Cook’s Sept. 21 letter urging Dr. Redfield to step down.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a nationwide hunger crisis, with more than 22 million American households now qualifying for federal food assistance. EWG broke down the many ways in which President Trump’s disastrous response to the crisis rivals President Hoover’s incompetence leading up to the Great Depression.
Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.
Children’s Health
Mother Earth Living: Natural Sunscreen: Lavera Baby and Children Sun Milk
The Environmental Working Group gives Lavera Baby and Children Sun Milk an overall score of 3/10 on the safety factor, meaning it’s low-risk with only moderate health concerns.
Amy Coney Barrett Nomination
Common Dreams: 150 Civil Rights and Public Interest Groups Urge Senate to Oppose Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination
This statement is signed by the following groups… Disability Rights Advocates, End Citizens United / Let America Vote Action Fund, Environmental Working Group.
Nitrate in California Tap Water
Fern’s Ag Insider: Nitrate-tainted drinking water plagues California’s farmworker towns, study shows
The EWG report reviewed nitrate tests over a longer time frame than the state’s analysis because nitrate levels can vary from year to year and reveal trends, said Anne Weir Schechinger, EWG senior economic analyst and author of the report.
Common Dreams: EWG Investigation: In California’s Majority-Latino Communities, 5.25 Million Drink Tap Water With Nitrate Above Federal Limit
In California’s majority-Latino communities, 5.25 million people drink tap water contaminated with nitrate at levels at or above the federal limit, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis of state and federal data.
California Bill AB2762, Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
InStyle: California Is Banning 24 Ingredients From Beauty Products- But What Does This Really Mean?
The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act is largely supported and initiated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization that "specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants, and corporate accountability."
The Optimist Daily: California moves to ban toxic chemicals from cosmetics
As reported by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act targets 24 toxic chemicals including mercury and formaldehyde that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and other negative health impacts.
The Daily Californian (Berkeley, Calif.): CA Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill banning 24 chemicals from cosmetics
CalPIRG was one of AB 2762’s four sponsors, along with the Environmental Working Group, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Black Women for Wellness, according to Rusch.
Patch (Manhattan Beach, Calif.): Gov Newsom Signs Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, Banning The Manufacture Or Sale Of Cosmetic Products Containing 24 Specified Toxic Chemicals
"This unprecedented bill is such a breakthrough!" said Susan Little, Environmental Working Group's (EWG) senior advocate for California government affairs.
The List: Here’s what California’s new cosmetics bill could mean for your makeup
Janet Nudelman, bill co-sponsor, confirmed that the majority of the banned-chemicals are also linked to breast cancer, pointing to the dangers of formaldehyde in bubble baths and mercury in skin lightening creams (via EWG).
Cosmetics – Skin Deep
InStyle: What Goes Into a Clean Mascara- and What’s Left Out?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has created a list featuring a plethora of potentially toxic ingredients found in personal care products that may be linked to cancer and other serious health concerns.
Romper: Breast Cancer Awareness Products That Donate 100%
This clean and sustainably packaged deodorant is rated as low rink in the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database, and contains no aluminum which research suggests may be a risk factor in developing breast cancer.
The Beacon (Md., Va.): Hand sanitizers to use, others to avoid
Today, I’ll list some of the safest commercial hand sanitizers on the market. Some of them are sprays, and others are wipes. I’ve based my list below on the organization called EWG Skin Deep.
EWG VERIFIED®
Fast Company: Michelle Pfeiffer trades the glamour of the red carpet for startup life
The line has passed the rigorous verification standards of the Environmental Working Group, which researches toxic chemicals.
Before It’s News: Smart Skin Care: How to find beauty products without toxic chemicals
The Environmental Working Group recently launched a new label (EWG Verified) that certifies cosmetic products that meet stringent ingredient and transparency requirements.
Absolute Seychelles Magazine: Purple4Ocean Ocean & Reef Safe SunCare Comes to the US and Europe
It is the only FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) approved broad-spectrum sun protection ingredient, and unlike any other active ingredient, its concentration in a product has no limitation. It is also the EWG (Environmental Working Group) nº1 ingredient for sun protection.
Farm Subsidies
Washington Post: ‘It’s Too Little, Too Late.’ Trump’s push to give federal aid to crucial 2020 voting blocs undermined by uneven execution
About 25 dairy farms in Wisconsin have filed for bankruptcy this year alone, despite almost all receiving money from Trump’s bailout, according to a review of court records conducted by the Environmental Working Group, a watchdog group.
Meat Eater’s Guide
USSA News: Farmed Salmon is Getting Worse
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested farmed salmon from U.S. grocery stores and found farmed salmon had, on average:16 times more polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) than wild salmon, four times more PCBs than beef, [and] 3.4 times more PCBs than other seafood.
PFAS in Drinking Water
Inside EPA: Pressure Builds To Uphold House PFAS Measures in Final Defense Bill
Similarly, environmental groups, including Safer Chemicals Healthy Families and the Environmental Working Group, sent a letter to the same committee leaders Sept. 17, urging adoption of the existing House measures into the final bill.
The Conversation: PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are widespread and threaten human health- here’s a strategy for protecting the public
According to a recent estimate by the Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy organization, up to 110 million Americans could be drinking PFAS-contaminated water.
Nashoba Valley Voice (Mass.): New standards for PFAS in drinking water established
The Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, claimed in 2019 that the compound traces came from firefighting foam that was used at the former Army base.
Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine: B.C. company’s technology removes PFAS and EDCs from leachate and industrial effluents
New research by the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG), shows they are prevalent in municipal tap water too.
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
Leader News (Houston, Texas): Nutrition can help balance sex hormones
Choose organic versions of the Dirty Dozen from EWG.org
Tap Water Database
Today: 20 years after 'Erin Brockovich,' the real Erin Brockovich is still fighting
Brockovich is referring to just how much our tap water is infiltrated by chromium-6, the cancer-causing heavy metal featured in the film. Nearly 200 million Americans across all 50 states are exposed to unsafe levels of chromium-6, according to a 2016 report released by the nonprofit research and advocacy organization Environmental Working Group.
Green Child Magazine: Why is a Home Water Filtration System Important?
According to the Environmental Working Group’s report on tap water, your water could be contaminated with heavy metals, Chromium-6, cleaning agents like chlorine, or some 300 other chemicals and pollutants.
Experience Life: How Good Is Your Tap Water?
If you ever wonder about the quality of what’s coming out of your faucet, the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has answers. The organization offers a free online nationwide Tap Water Database with records of 50,000 municipal utility companies: Simply enter your ZIP code and the site reveals pollutants found in your water — and the concerns they raise.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-09--Get Big or Get Out: How Trump’s Farm Bailouts Are Fueling Farm Consolidation

While visiting Wisconsin last year , Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in essence said farmers should get big or get out .
The Trump administration ’ s bailout program seems designed to do just that .
Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of farms going bankrupt , and most of these are small dairy farms .
But an EWG analysis of court records found many of the farms facing economic ruin did not receive any of the financial assistance designed to offset the impacts of President Trump ’ s trade war and mismanagement of Covid-19 .
Instead , the lion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Market Facilitation Program , or MFP , and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program , or CFAP , went to the largest and most successful farm businesses .
Although this trend of picking winners and losers has been apparent across the U.S. , farmers in Wisconsin have fared much worse than those in other states , according to a recent Government Accountability Office report .
In Wisconsin , average MFP payments in 2019 were just $ 16,000 per farm operation and $ 12,000 per individual .
In other states – such as Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mississippi – the average payments were three times higher , according to the GAO .
Average MFP payments per acre in Wisconsin were also much lower than those in other states .
Average payments per acre in some states , such as Georgia , were more than $ 100 , but in Wisconsin , just $ 40 per acre .
Changes made to the MFP to increase payment limits heightened this disparity among farmers in different states .
In Texas , for example , farmers received $ 114 million in extra subsidies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million , according to the GAO report .
The primary reason for differences among states is the disparate treatment of crops by the USDA .
MFP payments to dairy farmers were just 1.1 percent of the projected price farmers expected to receive .
By contrast , MFP payments to cotton farmers were 40 percent of the projected price .
A study by researchers at Kansas State University found cotton farmers received MFP payments 33 times the expected loss from Trump ’ s trade war .
EWG ’ s analysis found that small Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
The top 1 percent of Wisconsin MFP recipients each received more than $ 300,000 , but the bottom 80 percent each received around $ 8,000 .
One Wisconsin farm operation – Schweigert Family Farms , of Cuba City – received more than $ 1 million in MFP payments , and 12 other recipients each received more than $ 500,000 .
Many of the top recipients in Wisconsin are dairy farmers who have thousands of cows , including several with more than 10,000 cows , according to permits filed with the Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the average Wisconsin dairy operation has 150 cows in its herd .
EWG ’ s analysis of top MFP recipients in Wisconsin revealed that many also received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal Paycheck Protection Program , with one recipient – Wiese Brothers Farms , of Greenleaf – receiving more than $ 1 million .
EWG found the same disparity between large and small Wisconsin farmers in CFAP payments , which are designed to offset the impacts of Covid-19 .
The top 1 percent of Wisconsin farmers each received , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bottom 80 percent each received , on average , $ 8,700 .
One CFAP recipient in Wisconsin – Hamlin Valley Farms , of Strum – received $ 1.2 million , and 20 others each received more than $ 600,000 .
Many of the largest MFP recipients also donated to Republican candidates .
According to an EWG analysis of Federal Election Commission records , nearly half of the farms that received more than $ 500,000 in MFP subsidies have owners who donated thousands of dollars toward Republican party candidates or affiliated political action @ @

While visiting Wisconsin last year, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in essence said farmers should get big or get out. The Trump administration’s bailout program seems designed to do just that.
Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of farms going bankrupt, and most of these are small dairy farms. But an EWG analysis of court records found many of the farms facing economic ruin did not receive any of the financial assistance designed to offset the impacts of President Trump’s trade war and mismanagement of Covid-19.
Instead, the lion’s share of funds provided through the Market Facilitation Program, or MFP, and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, went to the largest and most successful farm businesses.
Although this trend of picking winners and losers has been apparent across the U.S., farmers in Wisconsin have fared much worse than those in other states, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.
In Wisconsin, average MFP payments in 2019 were just $16,000 per farm operation and $12,000 per individual. In other states – such as Georgia, Perdue’s home state, and Mississippi – the average payments were three times higher, according to the GAO.
Average MFP payments per acre in Wisconsin were also much lower than those in other states. Average payments per acre in some states, such as Georgia, were more than $100, but in Wisconsin, just $40 per acre.
Changes made to the MFP to increase payment limits heightened this disparity among farmers in different states. In Texas, for example, farmers received $114 million in extra subsidies, but Wisconsin received just $2 million, according to the GAO report.
The primary reason for differences among states is the disparate treatment of crops by the USDA. MFP payments to dairy farmers were just 1.1 percent of the projected price farmers expected to receive. By contrast, MFP payments to cotton farmers were 40 percent of the projected price. A study by researchers at Kansas State University found cotton farmers received MFP payments 33 times the expected loss from Trump’s trade war.
EWG’s analysis found that small Wisconsin farmers fared much worse under the bailout program. The top 1 percent of Wisconsin MFP recipients each received more than $300,000, but the bottom 80 percent each received around $8,000.
One Wisconsin farm operation – Schweigert Family Farms, of Cuba City – received more than $1 million in MFP payments, and 12 other recipients each received more than $500,000.
Many of the top recipients in Wisconsin are dairy farmers who have thousands of cows, including several with more than 10,000 cows, according to permits filed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. For context, the average Wisconsin dairy operation has 150 cows in its herd.
EWG’s analysis of top MFP recipients in Wisconsin revealed that many also received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, with one recipient – Wiese Brothers Farms, of Greenleaf – receiving more than $1 million.
EWG found the same disparity between large and small Wisconsin farmers in CFAP payments, which are designed to offset the impacts of Covid-19. The top 1 percent of Wisconsin farmers each received, on average, $521,000, whereas the bottom 80 percent each received, on average, $8,700. One CFAP recipient in Wisconsin – Hamlin Valley Farms, of Strum – received $1.2 million, and 20 others each received more than $600,000.
Many of the largest MFP recipients also donated to Republican candidates. According to an EWG analysis of Federal Election Commission records, nearly half of the farms that received more than $500,000 in MFP subsidies have owners who donated thousands of dollars toward Republican party candidates or affiliated political action committees.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-13--World Energy Outlook: Solar Power Will Be ‘the New King’ by 2030

World Energy Outlook : Solar Power Will Be ‘ the New King ’ by 2030 EWG : `` The solar age is here '' SAN FRANCISCO – Renewables , led by solar power , will become the dominant source of the world ’ s electricity by 2030 , according to a just-released analysis by the International Energy Agency .
The IEA ’ s World Energy Outlook 2020 report says solar is now cheaper than coal and , along with wind , will make up 80 percent of the electric energy market by the end of the decade , effectively shoving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I see solar becoming the new king of the world ’ s electricity markets , ” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a news release .
“ Based on today ’ s policy settings , it is on track to set new records for deployment every year after 2022.
” The falling price of renewables , combined with the drop in demand for fossil fuels due to the coronavirus pandemic and governments ’ adoption of policies to mitigate the threat of climate change , are converging at a critical moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four scenarios , but in each , renewables “ take starring roles .
.
.
with solar centre stage.
” Hydropower is still the largest source of renewable energy globally , but solar is the main source of growth , followed by onshore and offshore wind , the report said .
Many nations are rapidly moving away from fossil fuels , but under the Trump administration , the U.S. is stubbornly pursuing policies to prop up the dying coal industry .
As a candidate in 2016 , Trump promised coal miners in Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back coal .
According to The New York Times , the Trump administration has rolled back nearly 70 environmental regulations that included regulatory relief for coal plants .
The most recent `` success '' was postponing the deadline for coal plants to comply with toxic wastewater rules adopted by the Obama administration .
Yet more coal plants have closed during the president ’ s first term than during the entire eight years Obama was in office .
Last year , consumption of renewable energy outpaced coal for the first time since 1885 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main source of energy .
“ After four years , President Trump has utterly failed to keep his promise to coal miners and their families , and today coal country communities are in worse shape than when he took office , ” said EWG President Ken Cook .
“ Coal is gasping its last breath , and the solar age is here.
” As the IEA report shows , the demise of coal is rooted in simple economics , with renewables becoming far cheaper to produce and deliver .
Even abundant natural gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar and other clean , safe renewables surge .
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 .
Visit www.ewg.org for more information .

SAN FRANCISCO – Renewables, led by solar power, will become the dominant source of the world’s electricity by 2030, according to a just-released analysis by the International Energy Agency.
The IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2020 report says solar is now cheaper than coal and, along with wind, will make up 80 percent of the electric energy market by the end of the decade, effectively shoving coal off the global energy grid.
“I see solar becoming the new king of the world’s electricity markets,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a news release. “Based on today’s policy settings, it is on track to set new records for deployment every year after 2022.”
The falling price of renewables, combined with the drop in demand for fossil fuels due to the coronavirus pandemic and governments’ adoption of policies to mitigate the threat of climate change, are converging at a critical moment, the IEA said.
The report examines four scenarios, but in each, renewables “take starring roles . . . with solar centre stage.” Hydropower is still the largest source of renewable energy globally, but solar is the main source of growth, followed by onshore and offshore wind, the report said.
Many nations are rapidly moving away from fossil fuels, but under the Trump administration, the U.S. is stubbornly pursuing policies to prop up the dying coal industry.
As a candidate in 2016, Trump promised coal miners in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin he would bring back coal. According to The New York Times, the Trump administration has rolled back nearly 70 environmental regulations that included regulatory relief for coal plants. The most recent "success" was postponing the deadline for coal plants to comply with toxic wastewater rules adopted by the Obama administration.
Yet more coal plants have closed during the president’s first term than during the entire eight years Obama was in office. Last year, consumption of renewable energy outpaced coal for the first time since 1885, when the burning of wood was the main source of energy.
“After four years, President Trump has utterly failed to keep his promise to coal miners and their families, and today coal country communities are in worse shape than when he took office,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “Coal is gasping its last breath, and the solar age is here.”
As the IEA report shows, the demise of coal is rooted in simple economics, with renewables becoming far cheaper to produce and deliver. Even abundant natural gas will see its market share plummet as solar and other clean, safe renewables surge.
###
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. Visit www.ewg.org for more information.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-13--5 Things To Avoid in Your Personal Care Products If You’re Pregnant or Trying To Get Pregnant

If you ’ re pregnant , or trying to become pregnant , it ’ s likely you ’ re considering how to limit your exposure to toxic chemicals .
After all , you no longer have just your health to think about , you also have that of your future child .
Pollution of our body begins even before we ’ re even born , through the placenta and umbilical cord .
EWG ’ s 2009 landmark study , which tested the cord blood of 10 babies , found that every one of them was polluted with harmful chemicals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much longer about these chemicals .
The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act – the first state ban in the nation of 24 toxic cosmetics and personal care product ingredients , all of which are already prohibited from cosmetics in the European Union – was signed into law by Gov .
Gavin Newsom last month .
But for now , the rest of the country – and particularly pregnant women – must continue to worry about the ingredients in the products they use , despite mounting evidence of their health harms .
Five of these are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups of toxic chemicals for pregnant women .
They are known to cause a range of health harms : They can increase and decrease production of certain hormones , imitate hormones , change one hormone into another , interfere with hormone signaling , tell cells to die prematurely , compete with essential nutrients , bind to essential hormones and accumulate in organs that produce hormones .
These chemicals can be especially problematic during pregnancy .
Because hormones are particularly active during that period , since they guide the growth and development of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can affect its development .
Yet endocrine disruptors are commonly found in consumer products and our environment .
We may not have control over all of the sources of these chemicals , but one of the easiest ways to lessen exposure is to avoid them in personal care products .
Here are five endocrine disruptors with the potential to cause harm to the developing fetus , and how to avoid them .
Most of us are aware of the dangers of lead exposure through drinking water and lead paint , but may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mineral pigments used to color some makeup , such as lipstick and other pigmented products .
Yet companies are not required to disclose whether their products contain lead .
There is no safe level of lead exposure .
Even in small quantities , lead can harm the brain and nervous system .
And it is especially dangerous for pregnant women : Studies have shown lead can pass from the mother ’ s blood into the placenta and can cause permanent damage to the brain of the developing fetus .
Babies exposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and behavioral problems .
Mercury is another harmful toxic metal .
In adults , exposure can lead to kidney damage , rashes , a reduction in the skin ’ s resistance to infections and even mental health harms , including depression and anxiety .
Mercury exposure can also affect a specific hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and ovulation , which can make it difficult to conceive .
Once conceived , the developing fetus is especially sensitive to mercury ’ s dangers , including lifelong deficits in learning , reaction times and memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from mercury exposure , which can lead to brain and developmental damage .
Despite its known toxicity , mercury can still be found as an ingredient in cosmetics , including some skin-lightening treatments and mascaras contain mercury , and it also be a contaminant .
Companies selling products that contain mercury do so illegally and for that reason typically do n't disclose that their product contains this heavy metal .
Phthalates are “ plasticizers ” that make products softer and less viscous , so they are frequently found in cosmetics , especially nail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the skin very effectively and have been found in urine , breast milk and human tissue .
Phthalates have been linked to abnormal reproductive development in baby boys , and can trigger “ death-inducing signaling ” in testicular cells , causing them to die prematurely .
Parabens are ubiquitous in personal care products from shampoo to toothpaste .
They increase the shelf life of products by preventing and reducing the growth of mold and bacteria .
Studies have shown that they can mimic estrogen and interfere with the function of the human hormone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reproductive function , reproductive development and birth outcomes .
Butylparaben can affect both the male and female reproductive system .
Studies show that butylparaben levels in the urine of pregnant women and cord blood were associated with increased odds of pre-term birth and decreased birth weight .
PTFE is part of the family of fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS and is widely used in cosmetics , including eye shadow , foundation , shampoo and sunscreen , to make the product last longer on the skin .
PFTE can readily pass through the placenta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood , a sign of direct exposure to the fetus .
It has also been found in breast milk .
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reproductive and environmental toxicity , including disruption of thyroid function , low birth weight , harm to the male reproductive system and pregnancy-induced hypertension .
For more information on PFAS and developmental toxicity , see our fact sheet .
Want help choosing safer personal care products ?
Check out EWG ’ s Skin Deep database for ratings on more than 72,000 products .

If you’re pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, it’s likely you’re considering how to limit your exposure to toxic chemicals. After all, you no longer have just your health to think about, you also have that of your future child.
Pollution of our body begins even before we’re even born, through the placenta and umbilical cord. EWG’s 2009 landmark study, which tested the cord blood of 10 babies, found that every one of them was polluted with harmful chemicals.
Californians won’t have to worry much longer about these chemicals. The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act – the first state ban in the nation of 24 toxic cosmetics and personal care product ingredients, all of which are already prohibited from cosmetics in the European Union – was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month. But for now, the rest of the country – and particularly pregnant women – must continue to worry about the ingredients in the products they use, despite mounting evidence of their health harms.
Five of these are endocrine disruptors, among the most concerning groups of toxic chemicals for pregnant women. They are known to cause a range of health harms: They can increase and decrease production of certain hormones, imitate hormones, change one hormone into another, interfere with hormone signaling, tell cells to die prematurely, compete with essential nutrients, bind to essential hormones and accumulate in organs that produce hormones.
These chemicals can be especially problematic during pregnancy. Because hormones are particularly active during that period, since they guide the growth and development of the fetus, changes to their proper functioning can affect its development.
Yet endocrine disruptors are commonly found in consumer products and our environment. We may not have control over all of the sources of these chemicals, but one of the easiest ways to lessen exposure is to avoid them in personal care products.
Here are five endocrine disruptors with the potential to cause harm to the developing fetus, and how to avoid them.
Lead
Most of us are aware of the dangers of lead exposure through drinking water and lead paint, but may not know about the potential for exposure through the mineral pigments used to color some makeup, such as lipstick and other pigmented products. Yet companies are not required to disclose whether their products contain lead.
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even in small quantities, lead can harm the brain and nervous system. And it is especially dangerous for pregnant women: Studies have shown lead can pass from the mother’s blood into the placenta and can cause permanent damage to the brain of the developing fetus. Babies exposed to higher levels may develop learning, language and behavioral problems.
Mercury
Mercury is another harmful toxic metal. In adults, exposure can lead to kidney damage, rashes, a reduction in the skin’s resistance to infections and even mental health harms, including depression and anxiety. Mercury exposure can also affect a specific hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and ovulation, which can make it difficult to conceive. Once conceived, the developing fetus is especially sensitive to mercury’s dangers, including lifelong deficits in learning, reaction times and memory. Children are also vulnerable to harm from mercury exposure, which can lead to brain and developmental damage.
Despite its known toxicity, mercury can still be found as an ingredient in cosmetics, including some skin-lightening treatments and mascaras contain mercury, and it also be a contaminant. Companies selling products that contain mercury do so illegally and for that reason typically don't disclose that their product contains this heavy metal.
Phthalates
Phthalates are “plasticizers” that make products softer and less viscous, so they are frequently found in cosmetics, especially nail polish and fragrance mixtures. Phthalates penetrate the skin very effectively and have been found in urine, breast milk and human tissue.
Phthalates have been linked to abnormal reproductive development in baby boys, and can trigger “death-inducing signaling” in testicular cells, causing them to die prematurely.
Parabens
Parabens are ubiquitous in personal care products from shampoo to toothpaste. They increase the shelf life of products by preventing and reducing the growth of mold and bacteria. Studies have shown that they can interfere with the function of the human hormone system.
Parabens may affect fertility, reproductive function, reproductive development and birth outcomes. Butylparaben can affect both the male and female reproductive system. Studies show that butylparaben levels in the urine of pregnant women and cord blood were associated with increased odds of pre-term birth and decreased birth weight.
PTFE
PTFE is part of the family of fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS and is widely used in cosmetics, including eye shadow, foundation, shampoo and sunscreen, to make the product last longer on the skin. PFTE can readily pass through the placenta, and has been detected in cord blood, a sign of direct exposure to the fetus. It has also been found in breast milk.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reproductive and environmental toxicity, including disruption of thyroid function, low birth weight, harm to the male reproductive system and pregnancy-induced hypertension. For more information on PFAS and developmental toxicity, see our fact sheet.
Want help choosing safer personal care products? Check out EWG’s Skin Deep database for ratings on more than 72,000 products.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-13--Giant Potato Grower Threatens What’s Left of Our Land

The White Earth Reservation , in Minnesota , where I was born and live , was created in 1867 by a treaty between the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the U.S. government .
The original reservation boundaries consisted of 837,000 acres .
But over time , poor federal planning and fraudulent land grabs whittled our tribal land down by 90 percent .
Today , five major communities or villages are scattered across the reservation .
Even as our resources shrank , our membership grew to 20,000 enrolled members living both on and off the reservation .
The White Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Minnesota ’ s Straight River watershed .
Our home used to be a natural paradise .
My ancestors said the area was once thick with abundant forests and wildlife .
They could go out to hunt and trap .
All the lakes in northern Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan and Canada were once full of wild rice – “ manoomin , ” in our language – a traditional food supply for our people .
Wild rice is delicate .
Subject to attack or damage from the elements or human intrusion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed at any stage of its growth .
It depends on the circulation of mineral-rich water and does not tolerate chemical pollutants .
Today it is much harder to find wild rice in lakes , and the future of natural wild rice beds is uncertain .
After the lumber companies and loggers came in the late 1800s , the reservation landscape became dotted with family farms .
Starting with the farm crisis in the 1980s , smaller farms began failing .
When they did , the R.D .
Offutt Company , or RDO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , planted vast potato fields and started spraying chemicals everywhere .
The Pineland Sands aquifer is particularly vulnerable to agricultural pollution because of its shallow depth and the area ’ s porous soils .
RDO is the nation ’ s largest potato grower and a major supplier of McDonald ’ s fries , farming 190,000 acres across several states .
It also has annual profits projected at $ 2.5 billion .
For the past 30 years , RDO ’ s expansion of industrial-scale potato cultivation in the Pineland Sands area has relentlessly damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of land to farming , industrial growth and degraded water quality has affected our way of life , especially our food source .
Now our physical health is threatened , as we are faced with contamination of our water and air by chemical poisons on what little land we have left .
One thing I ’ ve learned the hard way is not to collect rain from the roof into my rain barrels .
It turns pink , likely from fungicides .
I won ’ t fish anymore in our local lake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearest field , because of pesticide drift , or in the two rivers or creeks nearby – one where children swim – that run through the village .
I don ’ t see all the rabbits I once used to , and I have found dead hawks in my yard .
I can ’ t get fresh air , because you can smell the pesticides in the air when they spray , and I have to close the windows .
Sometimes I contemplate whether I should plant a garden or not .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prairie for ceremonial purposes .
Instead , I have to go deep into the last remaining wild places where RDO doesn ’ t spray .
I can hear them spraying from helicopters as early as 6:30 a.m. Tribal sovereignty – the critical right of White Earth members to self-govern – is directly tied to food sovereignty and our ability to feed ourselves .
But the fallout from RDO ’ s industrial agriculture practices and other land developments has affected our ability to hunt , fish and harvest wild rice .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ historic plight – driven off our land onto reservations , losing our language and culture – to understand that as a people , we ’ ve never completely healed from that trauma .
Now , because of Minnesota state regulators ’ 30-year-long inability to protect us from RDO ’ s relentless , chemical-intensive expansion , we are being retraumatized .
For decades , RDO has proudly used small farms in a land-swap scheme to hide the true size of its industrial-scale potato growing and processing operations .
But RDO has never been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this trauma on my people .
Our original treaty territories include the 1837 and 1855 territories to the east and south of us , an important point because we never gave up our rights to hunt , fish or gather in the territories , core cultural activities that RDO affects the larger they grow .
In June , the state Department of Natural Resources , or DNR , gave yet another free pass to RDO to keep polluting .
DNR denied the Pinelands Sands community members ’ petition for environmental review of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a farm that recently unearthed documents prove is another front for RDO ’ s expansion plans .
But alongside White Earth tribal members , a newly formed coalition – local activists ; environmental groups like Northern Water Alliance , Pesticide Action Network , Toxic Taters and EWG ; and Honor the Earth , which advocates for Indigenous environmental issues – is fighting back in court and appealing DNR ’ s appalling decision to allow RDO ’ s damaging expansion plans .
The past 30 years have been a time of deep struggle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Evelyn Bellanger , of Pine Point , Minn. , a member of the Ojibwe nation , has a master ’ s degree in American Indian studies .
She is a member of the Rights of Manoomin and the Elders Indian Affairs Commission .
She is a historical trauma presenter , writes educational articles for the tribal newspaper Anishinaabeg Today and is writing a memoir .

The White Earth Reservation, in Minnesota, where I was born and live, was created in 1867 by a treaty between the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the U.S. government. The original reservation boundaries consisted of 837,000 acres. But over time, poor federal planning and fraudulent land grabs whittled our tribal land down by 90 percent.
Today, five major communities or villages are scattered across the reservation. Even as our resources shrank, our membership grew to 20,000 enrolled members living both on and off the reservation.
The White Earth Reservation sits above the Pineland Sands Aquifer, in Minnesota’s Straight River watershed. Our home used to be a natural paradise. My ancestors said the area was once thick with abundant forests and wildlife. They could go out to hunt and trap. All the lakes in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada were once full of wild rice – “manoomin,” in our language – a traditional food supply for our people.
Wild rice is delicate. Subject to attack or damage from the elements or human intrusion, the crop can easily fail or be destroyed at any stage of its growth. It depends on the circulation of mineral-rich water and does not tolerate chemical pollutants. Today it is much harder to find wild rice in lakes, and the future of natural wild rice beds is uncertain.
After the lumber companies and loggers came in the late 1800s, the reservation landscape became dotted with family farms. Starting with the farm crisis in the 1980s, smaller farms began failing. When they did, the R.D. Offutt Company, or RDO, swooped in, bought them up, planted vast potato fields and started spraying chemicals everywhere. The Pineland Sands aquifer is particularly vulnerable to agricultural pollution because of its shallow depth and the area’s porous soils.
RDO is the nation’s largest potato grower and a major supplier of McDonald’s fries, farming 190,000 acres across several states. It also has annual profits projected at $2.5 billion. For the past 30 years, RDO’s expansion of industrial-scale potato cultivation in the Pineland Sands area has relentlessly damaged our quality of life.
The conversion of land to farming, industrial growth and degraded water quality has affected our way of life, especially our food source. Now our physical health is threatened, as we are faced with contamination of our water and air by chemical poisons on what little land we have left.
One thing I’ve learned the hard way is not to collect rain from the roof into my rain barrels. It turns pink, likely from fungicides. I won’t fish anymore in our local lake, which is half a mile from the nearest field, because of pesticide drift, or in the two rivers or creeks nearby – one where children swim – that run through the village.
I don’t see all the rabbits I once used to, and I have found dead hawks in my yard. I can’t get fresh air, because you can smell the pesticides in the air when they spray, and I have to close the windows. Sometimes I contemplate whether I should plant a garden or not.
I can no longer pick sage in the prairie for ceremonial purposes. Instead, I have to go deep into the last remaining wild places where RDO doesn’t spray. I can hear them spraying from helicopters as early as 6:30 a.m.
Tribal sovereignty – the critical right of White Earth members to self-govern – is directly tied to food sovereignty and our ability to feed ourselves. But the fallout from RDO’s industrial agriculture practices and other land developments has affected our ability to hunt, fish and harvest wild rice.
It’s important for those unfamiliar with Native Americans’ historic plight – driven off our land onto reservations, losing our language and culture – to understand that as a people, we’ve never completely healed from that trauma.
Now, because of Minnesota state regulators’ 30-year-long inability to protect us from RDO’s relentless, chemical-intensive expansion, we are being retraumatized.
For decades, RDO has proudly used small farms in a land-swap scheme to hide the true size of its industrial-scale potato growing and processing operations. But RDO has never been forced to take responsibility for repeatedly imposing this trauma on my people. Our original treaty territories include the 1837 and 1855 territories to the east and south of us, an important point because we never gave up our rights to hunt, fish or gather in the territories, core cultural activities that RDO affects the larger they grow.
In June, the state Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, gave yet another free pass to RDO to keep polluting. DNR denied the Pinelands Sands community members’ petition for environmental review of an irrigation permit for a small farm – a farm that recently unearthed documents prove is another front for RDO’s expansion plans.
But alongside White Earth tribal members, a newly formed coalition – local activists; environmental groups like Northern Water Alliance, Pesticide Action Network, Toxic Taters and EWG; and Honor the Earth, which advocates for Indigenous environmental issues – is fighting back in court and appealing DNR’s appalling decision to allow RDO’s damaging expansion plans.
The past 30 years have been a time of deep struggle and trauma. But today there is hope.
--
Evelyn Bellanger, of Pine Point, Minn., a member of the Ojibwe nation, has a master’s degree in American Indian studies. She is a member of the Rights of Manoomin and the Elders Indian Affairs Commission. She is a historical trauma presenter, writes educational articles for the tribal newspaper Anishinaabeg Today and is writing a memoir.
Photo: Field near Eveleyn’s house in Pine Point, Minn.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-14--Study: More Than 200 Million Americans Could Have Toxic PFAS in Their Drinking Water

WASHINGTON – A peer-reviewed study by scientists at the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water at a concentration of 1 part per trillion , or ppt , or higher .
Independent scientific studies have recommended a safe level for PFAS in drinking water of 1 ppt , a standard that is endorsed by EWG .
The study , published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters , analyzed publicly accessible drinking water testing results from the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing by Colorado , Kentucky , Michigan , New Hampshire , New Jersey , North Carolina and Rhode Island .
“ We know drinking water is a major source of exposure of these toxic chemicals , ” said Olga Naidenko , Ph.D. , vice president for science investigations at EWG and a co-author of the new study .
“ This new paper shows that PFAS pollution is affecting even more Americans than we previously estimated .
PFAS are likely detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S. , almost certainly in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also included laboratory tests commissioned by EWG that found PFAS chemicals in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities .
Some of the highest PFAS levels detected were in samples from major metropolitan areas , including Miami , Philadelphia , New Orleans and the northern New Jersey suburbs of New York City .
There is no national requirement for ongoing testing and no national drinking water standard for any PFAS in drinking water .
The EPA has issued an inadequate lifetime health advisory level of 70 ppt for the two most notorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and efforts to set an enforceable standard could take many years .
In the absence of a federal standard , states have started to pass their own legal limits for some PFAS .
New Jersey was the first to issue a maximum contaminant limit for the compound PFNA , at 13 ppt , and has set standards of 13 ppt for PFOS and 14 ppt for PFOA .
Many states have either set or proposed limits for PFOA and PFOS , including California , Massachusetts , Michigan , New Hampshire , New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first step in fighting any contamination crisis is to turn off the tap , ” said Scott Faber , EWG senior vice president for government affairs .
“ The second step is to set a drinking water standard , and the third is to clean up legacy pollution .
The PFAS Action Act passed by the House would address all three steps by setting deadlines for limiting industrial PFAS releases , setting a two-year deadline for a drinking water standard , and designating PFAS as ‘ hazardous substances ’ under the Superfund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate has refused to act to protect our communities from ‘ forever chemicals.
’ ” PFAS are called forever chemicals because they are among the most persistent toxic compounds in existence , contaminating everything from drinking water to food , food packaging and personal care products .
They are found in the blood of virtually everyone on Earth , including newborn babies .
They never break down in the environment .
Very low doses of PFAS chemicals in drinking water have been linked to suppression of the immune system and are associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and developmental harms , among other serious health concerns .
“ When we look for PFAS contamination , we almost always find it , ” said David Andrews , Ph.D. , a senior scientist at EWG and one of the co-authors .
“ Americans should trust that their water is safe , but far too many communities have water supplies polluted by toxic PFAS chemicals .
These are some of the most insidious chemicals ever produced , and they continue to be used .
Our analysis was largely limited to PFOA and PFOS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contaminate drinking water and the entire class of PFAS chemicals is a concern.
” The EPA has identified over 600 PFAS in active use in the U.S .
According to the most recent analysis of state and federal data by EWG , 2,230 locations in 49 states are known to have PFAS contamination , including more than 300 military installations .
PFAS contamination has raised alarms among a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress .
The PFAS Action Act also includes a provision that would set a two-year deadline for the EPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the two most notorious PFAS chemicals – PFOA , formerly used to make DuPont ’ s Teflon , and PFOS , formerly an ingredient in 3M ’ s Scotchgard .
The House versions of the National Defense Authorization Act and EPA spending bill also include important PFAS reforms .
“ It ’ s not too late for this Congress to protect us from the growing PFAS contamination crisis , ” Faber said .
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit , non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unique education tools , EWG drives consumer choice and civic action .

WASHINGTON – A peer-reviewed study by scientists at the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water at a concentration of 1 part per trillion, or ppt, or higher. Independent scientific studies have recommended a safe level for PFAS in drinking water of 1 ppt, a standard that is endorsed by EWG.
The study, published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, analyzed publicly accessible drinking water testing results from the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Geological Survey, as well as state testing by Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Rhode Island.
“We know drinking water is a major source of exposure of these toxic chemicals,” said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president for science investigations at EWG and a co-author of the new study. “This new paper shows that PFAS pollution is affecting even more Americans than we previously estimated. PFAS are likely detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in all that use surface water.”
The analysis also included laboratory tests commissioned by EWG that found PFAS chemicals in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities. Some of the highest PFAS levels detected were in samples from major metropolitan areas, including Miami, Philadelphia, New Orleans and the northern New Jersey suburbs of New York City.
There is no national requirement for ongoing testing and no national drinking water standard for any PFAS in drinking water. The EPA has issued an inadequate lifetime health advisory level of 70 ppt for the two most notorious fluorinated chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, and efforts to set an enforceable standard could take many years.
In the absence of a federal standard, states have started to pass their own legal limits for some PFAS. New Jersey was the first to issue a maximum contaminant limit for the compound PFNA, at 13 ppt, and has set standards of 13 ppt for PFOS and 14 ppt for PFOA. Many states have either set or proposed limits for PFOA and PFOS, including California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.
“The first step in fighting any contamination crisis is to turn off the tap,” said Scott Faber, EWG senior vice president for government affairs. “The second step is to set a drinking water standard, and the third is to clean up legacy pollution. The PFAS Action Act passed by the House would address all three steps by setting deadlines for limiting industrial PFAS releases, setting a two-year deadline for a drinking water standard, and designating PFAS as ‘hazardous substances’ under the Superfund law. But Mitch McConnell’s Senate has refused to act to protect our communities from ‘forever chemicals.’”
PFAS are called forever chemicals because they are among the most persistent toxic compounds in existence, contaminating everything from drinking water to food, food packaging and personal care products. They are found in the blood of virtually everyone on Earth, including newborn babies. They never break down in the environment.
Very low doses of PFAS chemicals in drinking water have been linked to suppression of the immune system and are associated with an elevated risk of cancer and reproductive and developmental harms, among other serious health concerns.
“When we look for PFAS contamination, we almost always find it,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG and one of the co-authors. “Americans should trust that their water is safe, but far too many communities have water supplies polluted by toxic PFAS chemicals. These are some of the most insidious chemicals ever produced, and they continue to be used. Our analysis was largely limited to PFOA and PFOS, but many more PFAS are found to contaminate drinking water and the entire class of PFAS chemicals is a concern.”
The EPA has identified over 600 PFAS in active use in the U.S. According to the most recent analysis of state and federal data by EWG, 2,230 locations in 49 states are known to have PFAS contamination, including more than 300 military installations.
PFAS contamination has raised alarms among a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress. The PFAS Action Act also includes a provision that would set a two-year deadline for the EPA to establish a national drinking water standard for the two most notorious PFAS chemicals – PFOA, formerly used to make DuPont’s Teflon, and PFOS, formerly an ingredient in 3M’s Scotchgard.
The House versions of the National Defense Authorization Act and EPA spending bill also include important PFAS reforms.
“It’s not too late for this Congress to protect us from the growing PFAS contamination crisis,” Faber said.
###
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--2020-10-14--As Algae Season Ends, the Toll: More Than 400 Outbreaks in 2020

The end of summer marks the unofficial end of the algae outbreak season .
Warmer states like California and Florida see outbreaks fouling lakes , rivers and other bodies of water year-round , but for most of the country , outbreaks stop when the weather turns colder .
Blue-green algae blooms are actually not algae , but microscopic organisms called cyanobacteria .
Outbreaks are triggered when nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer and animal manure run off farm fields and get into bodies of water .
Heat and sunlight cause blooms to grow , so higher summer temperatures caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks .
EWG tracks news reports of algae outbreaks going back to 2010 on our interactive map .
Through Oct. 9 , we found 409 algae outbreaks this year .
In the same period last year , we found 516 reports .
The lower number of reported outbreaks this year does not necessarily mean there have been fewer outbreaks .
The pandemic has caused some states , such as Utah , to reduce algae testing due to budget cuts .
A bigger reason may be that news outlets have focused coverage on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the upcoming election , so they have fewer resources for reporting on algae blooms .
The majority of the news reports of algae blooms this year – 87 percent – have focused on their impact on recreation .
The hazardous toxins that algae blooms can produce , such as microcystin , make it unsafe to swim , boat or even walk around an infected lake .
Nine stories reported on dogs that were killed by algae toxins , and one bloom in a central North Dakota pond killed cattle .
Five of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were caused by the cyanobacteria .
Although blooms don ’ t always release toxins , when they do it can be very dangerous to public health .
People can be exposed through recreation , or from drinking water drawn from a utility whose source water is contaminated by an outbreak .
Algae toxins can have short-term health impacts such as nausea , vomiting and respiratory problems , as well as long-term effects like liver failure and cancer .
Because it ’ s easier to prevent algae blooms than to clean them up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent them from forming in the first place .
Farmers who contribute nitrogen and phosphorus to bodies of water should be required to implement conservation practices on their fields .
Small changes , like planting cover crops before the winter or installing vegetative buffers between farm fields and streams , could go a long way toward reducing the farm pollution that creates algae blooms .

The end of summer marks the unofficial end of the algae outbreak season. Warmer states like California and Florida see outbreaks fouling lakes, rivers and other bodies of water year-round, but for most of the country, outbreaks stop when the weather turns colder.
Blue-green algae blooms are actually not algae, but microscopic organisms called cyanobacteria. Outbreaks are triggered when nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer and animal manure run off farm fields and get into bodies of water. Heat and sunlight cause blooms to grow, so higher summer temperatures caused by the climate crisis are leading to more frequent outbreaks.
EWG tracks news reports of algae outbreaks going back to 2010 on our interactive map. Through Oct. 9, we found 409 algae outbreaks this year. In the same period last year, we found 516 reports.
The lower number of reported outbreaks this year does not necessarily mean there have been fewer outbreaks. The pandemic has caused some states, such as Utah, to reduce algae testing due to budget cuts. A bigger reason may be that news outlets have focused coverage on the pandemic, the economy, racial justice and the upcoming election, so they have fewer resources for reporting on algae blooms.
The majority of the news reports of algae blooms this year – 87 percent – have focused on their impact on recreation. The hazardous toxins that algae blooms can produce, such as microcystin, make it unsafe to swim, boat or even walk around an infected lake.
Nine stories reported on dogs that were killed by algae toxins, and one bloom in a central North Dakota pond killed cattle. Five of the stories reported on fish kills that were caused by the cyanobacteria.
Although blooms don’t always release toxins, when they do it can be very dangerous to public health. People can be exposed through recreation, or from drinking water drawn from a utility whose source water is contaminated by an outbreak. Algae toxins can have short-term health impacts such as nausea, vomiting and respiratory problems, as well as long-term effects like liver failure and cancer.
Because it’s easier to prevent algae blooms than to clean them up, policymakers should make it a priority to prevent them from forming in the first place. Farmers who contribute nitrogen and phosphorus to bodies of water should be required to implement conservation practices on their fields. Small changes, like planting cover crops before the winter or installing vegetative buffers between farm fields and streams, could go a long way toward reducing the farm pollution that creates algae blooms.


environmentalworkinggroupewg--2020-10-16--EWG News Roundup (10/16): 200 Million Americans Likely Have PFAS in Their Water, Solar Conquers Coal

EWG News Roundup (10/16): 200 Million Americans Likely Have PFAS in Their Water, Solar Conquers Coal and More

This week a peer-reviewed study by EWG scientists was published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters that shows more than 200 million Americans , or roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population , could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water .
“ We know drinking water is a major source of exposure of these toxic chemicals , ” said Olga Naidenko , Ph.D. , vice president for science investigations at EWG and a co-author of the new study .
“ This new paper shows that PFAS pollution is affecting even more Americans than we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all major water supplies in the U.S. , almost certainly in all that use surface water.
” We analyzed a newly released report by the International Energy Agency , which found that renewable energy , led by solar power , will become the dominant source of the world ’ s electricity by 2030 .
The report further underscores the demise of coal-powered energy , showing that renewables are significantly cheaper to produce and distribute .
EWG welcomed Evelyn Bellanger , a member of the Ojibwe nation , to write about her ancestors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the White Earth Reservation , in Minnesota , and the long-running battle between the Ojibwe people and the potato giant R.D .
Offutt Company , including decades of the company ’ s relentless farming and damaging the land .
As temperatures across the nation begin to drop , EWG reviewed this year ’ s algae bloom season , noting more that 400 outbreaks in 2020 .
And finally , on our Children ’ s Health site , EWG listed five ingredients to avoid in your personal care products if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s some news you can use going into the weekend .
Mom Loves Best : Best Hand Sanitizers For Kids of 2020 Pipette hand sanitizer is Environmental Working Group verified , so it is free from ingredients on the EWG ’ s “ unacceptable ” list .
USSA News : Environmental Toxins Causing Early Puberty in Both Boys and Girls Three years ago , laboratory tests commissioned by the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) detected BPA in the umbilical cord blood of 90 percent of newborn infants tested — along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Environmental Working Group even reported a finding from a Harvard PhD thesis that showed boys exposed to fluoridated water when they were between the ages of 6 and 8 had a seven-fold increased risk of developing osteosarcoma , a form of frequently fatal bone cancer .
North East Connected ( England ) : Asbestos In Everyday Products : Should We Be On The Lookout ?
It isn ’ t only crayons that can contain asbestos as tests performed by the Environmental Working Group found traces of asbestos in children ’ s modelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 Million Americans Could Have PFAS in Their Drinking Water Best Life : There ’ s a 60 Percent Change This Toxin Is in Your Water , Study Finds According to the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , a safe level for PFAS in drinking water is no more than 1 ppt .
Smart Water Magazine : Over 200 million Americans could have toxic PFAS in their drinking water A peer-reviewed study by scientists at the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a concentration of 1 part per trillion , or ppt , or higher .
Environmental Working Group 's AgMag has posted Giant Potato Grower Threatens What ’ s Left of Our Land , commentary by Evelyn Bellanger , who -- as noted in the author 's bio at the end of the post -- is a member of the Ojibwe Nation .
( Reprinted from Press Association ) The Standard ( Chester , UK ) : Who are the advisers behind coronavirus decision-making ?
The Environmental Working Group identifies and steers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and environmental sampling can play in understanding Covid-19 transmission .
Sephora has ‘ clean ’ criteria , too , though it ’ s worth pointing out that there are only 54 ingredients on their list .
Duranski also recommends apps such as Skin Deep ( created by the Environmental Working Group ) and Think Dirty , which let you scan the barcode of a product to quickly and easily get more info on the ingredients .
River Reporter ( Narrowsburg , N.Y. ) : ‘ Enforcement of NY Plastic Bag Ban ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Working Group Action Fund released legislative scorecards for members of Congress based on their votes regarding toxic chemicals .
Rep. Delgado has earned a 100 percent , a perfect score for his leadership to address PFAS contamination .
Bob Vila : The best Laminate Floor Cleaners for Dirt , Spills , and Stains Chemical floor cleaners contain strong ingredients that get the job done .
However , organizations like the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) claim that some of the chemicals commonly found in cleaning products can lead to asthma , birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Easy Health Options : One more reason to read product labels : Hormone interference Another great source to avoid pollutants in your life are consumer guides offered by the Environmental Working Group .
Harper ’ s Bazaar : Toxic Fashion : Just How Harmful are the Chemicals in Your Clothes ?
Check the Environmental Working Group ’ s Skin Deep database for laundry products that are rated safe .
InStyle : Everything You Need to Know About the Pigments in Your Clean Makeup Products Yet , both Beautycounter and Róen Beauty have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are clean , and offer the color payoff consumers crave by using ingredients like mica and zinc stearate , which are both considered to be low risk when it comes to toxicity , according to the Environmental Working Group .
Better Homes & Gardens : 7 Of the Best Natural Beauty Products You Can Get At A Drugstore I decided to start small .
And that ’ s exactly what Dr. Keira Barr , Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Resilient Health Institute , says : “ Start slow and do what feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Skin Deep and Think Dirty can help users navigate ingredient lists , Barr says .
US Weekly : Michelle Pfeiffer launches fragrance collection inspired from clean beauty trend The collection is reportedly the first fragrance line to be certified by the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) - it was developed in partnership with Ken Cook , the organization ’ s president and cofounder - as well as being Cradle to Cradle certified .
Greatist : Beauty School Chemistry : What Does Propylene Glycol Do for Skin ?
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and likely nontoxic by major orgs like the Environmental Working Group .
So for most people , slathering on a lotion containing propylene glycol shouldn ’ t be a concern .
The Inventory : The Self Care Deals You Need To Relax Now That Prime Day is Almost Finally Over Inna Organics is the first and only brand from Taiwan both EWG verified and COSMOS certified organic .
New York Times : Trump Funnels Record Subsidies to Farmers Ahead of Election Day “ For the first time in history , a president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally dispense tens of billions of dollars in federal farm subsidy payments that would not otherwise have been paid , ” said Ken Cook , president of Environmental Working Group , an advocacy organization that has been tracking the agriculture payments .
Democracy Now !
: Trailing in polls , Trump Appeals to White Suburban Women and Farmers The Trump administration has been ramping up subsidies to farmers ahead of Election Day , as payments are projected to reach a record $ 46 billion this year .
Farmers have been hit hard by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Europe , as well as the coronavirus pandemic .
Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group said , “ This is an authoritarian power grab used to buy political support from voters who are essential to his reelection.
” WVIK ( Iowa/ Ill. ) : ‘ Either I Risk It All Or Nothing At All ’ : Migrant Workers ’ Need To Work Outweights COVID-19 Concern Only 11 states -- including Michigan , Wisconsin and Colorado -- have mandatory regulations in place to protect farmworkers , according to an analysis from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Working Group ‘ s new report takes into account the full “ cradle-to-grave ” carbon footprint of each food item based on the greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions generated before and after the food leaves the farm .
Live Kindly : Vegan Babybel Cheese To Hit The Stores Next Year Cheese has a big impact on the planet : a 2011 report from the Environmental Working Group found that cheese production emits the third-highest amount of greenhouse gases out of animal-based foods , ranking behind lamb and beef .
Fort Drum is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of toxic PFAS were found in the water table .
In September of last year , the Environmental Working Group obtained Army reports indicating that 90 Army bases across the nation had concerning levels of the chemicals in their water table .
LA Progressive ( Calif. ) : High PFAS Levels Found in Oysters and the St. Mary ’ s River If we abide by the more responsible 1 ppt daily limit championed by the Harvard School of Public Health or the Environmental Working Group , we would be limited to ingesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every two months .
The Bay Net ( Md . )
: State Says No Concern over PFAS Chemical Pollutants in St. Mary ’ s River EWG is pushing for federal legislation to ban use and production of all PFAS related chemicals and to set food and drinking water limits at 1 ppt .
Conservative Angle : How to Protect the Public From PFAS “ Forever Chemicals ” According to a recent estimate by the Environmental Working Group , a public health advocacy organization , up to 110 million Americans could be drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Eating Clean : 4 Ways to Reduce Pesticides In Your Diet According to the D.C.-based non-profit Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , a few foods that host a higher concentration of pesticides on average include strawberries , spinach , nectarines , apples , grapes , peaches , cherries , pears , and tomatoes .
Erin ’ s Inside Job : Cost-Effective Wellness Swaps : Don ’ t Break The Bank For Your Health The Environmental Working Group puts out a yearly produce list of the “ Dirty Dozen ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know which fruits and vegetables you should buy organic ( if you want ) and which are fine to purchase conventionally .
Heated : A Dozen Essential Takeaways From My ‘ How To Eat Now ’ Audiocourse The Environmental Working Group has a list updated annually called the Dirty Dozen , which lists the fruits and vegetables most likely to have high concentrations of pesticides on them .
Not only does my personal experience contradict any notion of safety , but the Environmental Work Group ( EWG ) water quality report for Midland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The EWG report also concluded that arsenic levels were above the legal limit in some samples .
The Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) works on several different levels to educate people about safe drinking water .
The EWG tap water database allows people across the US to check the quality of their tap water Victoria Advocate ( Victoria , Texas ) : City warns about some water sampling kits not affiliated with public works Public Works reached out to Environmental Working Group , the organization whose website is listed on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative said the organization did not distribute the kits and has no affiliation with them .

This week a peer-reviewed study by EWG scientists was published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters that shows more than 200 million Americans, or roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population, could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water.
“We know drinking water is a major source of exposure of these toxic chemicals,” said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president for science investigations at EWG and a co-author of the new study. “This new paper shows that PFAS pollution is affecting even more Americans than we previously estimated. PFAS are likely detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in all that use surface water.”
We analyzed a newly released report by the International Energy Agency, which found that renewable energy, led by solar power, will become the dominant source of the world’s electricity by 2030. The report further underscores the demise of coal-powered energy, showing that renewables are significantly cheaper to produce and distribute.
EWG welcomed Evelyn Bellanger, a member of the Ojibwe nation, to write about her ancestors' and family’s experience living on the White Earth Reservation, in Minnesota, and the long-running battle between the Ojibwe people and the potato giant R.D. Offutt Company, including decades of the company’s relentless farming and damaging the land.
As temperatures across the nation begin to drop, EWG reviewed this year’s algae bloom season, noting more that 400 outbreaks in 2020.
And finally, on our Children’s Health site, EWG listed five ingredients to avoid in your personal care products if you’re pregnant or looking to become pregnant.
Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.
Children’s Health
Mom Loves Best: Best Hand Sanitizers For Kids of 2020
Pipette hand sanitizer is Environmental Working Group verified, so it is free from ingredients on the EWG’s “unacceptable” list.
USSA News: Environmental Toxins Causing Early Puberty in Both Boys and Girls
Three years ago, laboratory tests commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected BPA in the umbilical cord blood of 90 percent of newborn infants tested — along with more than 230 other chemicals!
USSA News: Fluoride Exposure May Contribute to Early Puberty
The Environmental Working Group even reported a finding from a Harvard PhD thesis that showed boys exposed to fluoridated water when they were between the ages of 6 and 8 had a seven-fold increased risk of developing osteosarcoma, a form of frequently fatal bone cancer.
North East Connected (England): Asbestos In Everyday Products: Should We Be On The Lookout?
It isn’t only crayons that can contain asbestos as tests performed by the Environmental Working Group found traces of asbestos in children’s modelling clay as well.
New Study: 200 Million Americans Could Have PFAS in Their Drinking Water
Best Life: There’s a 60 Percent Change This Toxin Is in Your Water, Study Finds
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a safe level for PFAS in drinking water is no more than 1 ppt.
Smart Water Magazine: Over 200 million Americans could have toxic PFAS in their drinking water
A peer-reviewed study by scientists at the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water at a concentration of 1 part per trillion, or ppt, or higher.
Potato Cultivation in Pineland Sands
Bluestem Prairie (Minn.,S.D.): Ojibwe Nation member Evelyn Bellanger: Giant potato grower threatens what’s left of our land
Environmental Working Group's AgMag has posted Giant Potato Grower Threatens What’s Left of Our Land, commentary by Evelyn Bellanger, who--as noted in the author's bio at the end of the post--is a member of the Ojibwe Nation.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
(Reprinted from Press Association) The Standard (Chester, UK): Who are the advisers behind coronavirus decision-making?
The Environmental Working Group identifies and steers the role that environmental modelling, data analysis and environmental sampling can play in understanding Covid-19 transmission.
California Bill: AB2762 Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act
Glam: California Banned 24 Chemicals From Beauty Products: Here’s Why That’s A Big Deal
Sephora has ‘clean’ criteria, too, though it’s worth pointing out that there are only 54 ingredients on their list. Duranski also recommends apps such as Skin Deep (created by the Environmental Working Group) and Think Dirty, which let you scan the barcode of a product to quickly and easily get more info on the ingredients.
Action Fund Scorecard
River Reporter (Narrowsburg, N.Y.): ‘Enforcement of NY Plastic Bag Ban’ and More
On October 9, the Environmental Working Group Action Fund released legislative scorecards for members of Congress based on their votes regarding toxic chemicals. Rep. Delgado has earned a 100 percent, a perfect score for his leadership to address PFAS contamination.
Cleaning Products
Bob Vila: The best Laminate Floor Cleaners for Dirt, Spills, and Stains
Chemical floor cleaners contain strong ingredients that get the job done. However, organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) claim that some of the chemicals commonly found in cleaning products can lead to asthma, birth defects, and can even be carcinogenic.
Consumer Products
Easy Health Options: One more reason to read product labels: Hormone interference
Another great source to avoid pollutants in your life are consumer guides offered by the Environmental Working Group.
Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database
Harper’s Bazaar: Toxic Fashion: Just How Harmful are the Chemicals in Your Clothes? Check the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database for laundry products that are rated safe.
InStyle: Everything You Need to Know About the Pigments in Your Clean Makeup Products
Yet, both Beautycounter and Róen Beauty have nailed how to make makeup products that are clean, and offer the color payoff consumers crave by using ingredients like mica and zinc stearate, which are both considered to be low risk when it comes to toxicity, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Better Homes & Gardens: 7 Of the Best Natural Beauty Products You Can Get At A Drugstore
I decided to start small. And that’s exactly what Dr. Keira Barr, Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Resilient Health Institute, says: “Start slow and do what feels comfortable." (Sources like EWG’s Skin Deep and Think Dirty can help users navigate ingredient lists, Barr says.
US Weekly: Michelle Pfeiffer launches fragrance collection inspired from clean beauty trend The collection is reportedly the first fragrance line to be certified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) - it was developed in partnership with Ken Cook, the organization’s president and cofounder - as well as being Cradle to Cradle certified.
Greatist: Beauty School Chemistry: What Does Propylene Glycol Do for Skin?
In fact, cosmetic grade propylene glycol is considered safe and likely nontoxic by major orgs like the Environmental Working Group. So for most people, slathering on a lotion containing propylene glycol shouldn’t be a concern.
EWG VERIFIED®
The Inventory: The Self Care Deals You Need To Relax Now That Prime Day is Almost Finally Over
Inna Organics is the first and only brand from Taiwan both EWG verified and COSMOS certified organic.
Farm Subsidies
New York Times: Trump Funnels Record Subsidies to Farmers Ahead of Election Day
“For the first time in history, a president has repeatedly usurped congressional authority in order to personally dispense tens of billions of dollars in federal farm subsidy payments that would not otherwise have been paid,” said Ken Cook, president of Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization that has been tracking the agriculture payments.
Democracy Now!: Trailing in polls, Trump Appeals to White Suburban Women and Farmers The Trump administration has been ramping up subsidies to farmers ahead of Election Day, as payments are projected to reach a record $46 billion this year. Farmers have been hit hard by Trump’s ongoing trade disputes with China and Europe, as well as the coronavirus pandemic. Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group said, “This is an authoritarian power grab used to buy political support from voters who are essential to his reelection.”
Farm Workers
WVIK (Iowa/ Ill.): ‘Either I Risk It All Or Nothing At All’: Migrant Workers’ Need To Work Outweights COVID-19 Concern
Only 11 states -- including Michigan, Wisconsin and Colorado -- have mandatory regulations in place to protect farmworkers, according to an analysis from the Environmental Working Group.
Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change + Health
Insteading: Food Choices Affect the Climate
The Environmental Working Group‘s new report takes into account the full “cradle-to-grave” carbon footprint of each food item based on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated before and after the food leaves the farm.
Live Kindly: Vegan Babybel Cheese To Hit The Stores Next Year
Cheese has a big impact on the planet: a 2011 report from the Environmental Working Group found that cheese production emits the third-highest amount of greenhouse gases out of animal-based foods, ranking behind lamb and beef.
PFAS on Military Bases
NNY 360 (N.Y.): Gillibrand joins letter urging management of dangerous fire suppressant chemicals that contaminated Fort Drum
Fort Drum is one of the military bases where high levels of toxic PFAS were found in the water table. In September of last year, the Environmental Working Group obtained Army reports indicating that 90 Army bases across the nation had concerning levels of the chemicals in their water table.
PFAS in Water
LA Progressive (Calif.): High PFAS Levels Found in Oysters and the St. Mary’s River
If we abide by the more responsible 1 ppt daily limit championed by the Harvard School of Public Health or the Environmental Working Group, we would be limited to ingesting one St. Mary’s River oyster every two months.
The Bay Net (Md.): State Says No Concern over PFAS Chemical Pollutants in St. Mary’s River
EWG is pushing for federal legislation to ban use and production of all PFAS related chemicals and to set food and drinking water limits at 1 ppt.
Conservative Angle: How to Protect the Public From PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
According to a recent estimate by the Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy organization, up to 110 million Americans could be drinking PFAS-contaminated water.
Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™
Philadelphia Magazine (Pa.): Eating Clean: 4 Ways to Reduce Pesticides In Your Diet
According to the D.C.-based non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG), a few foods that host a higher concentration of pesticides on average include strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, and tomatoes.
Erin’s Inside Job: Cost-Effective Wellness Swaps: Don’t Break The Bank For Your Health
The Environmental Working Group puts out a yearly produce list of the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15,” letting you know which fruits and vegetables you should buy organic (if you want) and which are fine to purchase conventionally.
Heated: A Dozen Essential Takeaways From My ‘How To Eat Now’ Audiocourse
The Environmental Working Group has a list updated annually called the Dirty Dozen, which lists the fruits and vegetables most likely to have high concentrations of pesticides on them.
Tap Water Database
Medium: I Lived In a City Without Clean Water
Not only does my personal experience contradict any notion of safety, but the Environmental Work Group (EWG) water quality report for Midland found 16 contaminants that exceeded EWG guidelines. The EWG report also concluded that arsenic levels were above the legal limit in some samples.
Front Page Live: Report reveals drinking water is contaminated ‘in the nation’s food basket’
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) works on several different levels to educate people about safe drinking water. The EWG tap water database allows people across the US to check the quality of their tap water
Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas): City warns about some water sampling kits not affiliated with public works
Public Works reached out to Environmental Working Group, the organization whose website is listed on a form provided with the kits and a representative said the organization did not distribute the kits and has no affiliation with them.