Fluoride from Municipal Water Supplies is Toxic to Fish

July 6th, 2010 | Bulldog Blog | | One comment

Photo: Ildar Sagdejev
Photo: Ildar Sagdejev

Water Fluoridation Impacts the Environment

Fluoride pollution from aluminum smelters has long been known to cause problems such as damage to plants and risk to livestock grazing grasses exposed to the chemical. But there are not many highly publicized studies that look at the ecological impact of fluoridating municipal water supplies. Past research, however, shows that the practice hailed by the CDC as one of the greatest public health advances of the 20th century for humans may be causing damage to the environment.

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CNN: Toxic town’s advocate sees victory ahead

June 3rd, 2010 | Environment | | Leave a comment

Environmental activists in Mossville, Louisiana tried for decades to convince state and federal governments that they live in a toxic town. They claim the 14 chemical plants surrounding the African-American community are making residents sick.

Government blood tests support their claim showing residents with three times the normal levels of dioxins in their blood. Dioxins are carcinogens, frequently called the most toxic substance known.

Health surveys in the town show many residents dying young from cancer. They also show widespread respiratory problems in addition to other ailments.

Both the Department of Environmental Quality and the local industry association say studies have shown the plants do not cause health problems for local residents.

The EPA agreed in January to test whether Mossville qualifies as a federal Superfund site. The results are expected by early August. In another victory for the town, an international human rights commission agreed to rule on a case brought by Mossville against the U.S. government. It should rule by the end of the year.

READ THIS STORY AT CNN.COM

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NYT: U.S. Said to Allow Drilling Without Needed Permits

May 14th, 2010 | Environment | | Leave a comment

The federal Minerals Management Service (M.M.S.) allowed dozens of oil companies, including BP, to drill in the Gulf of Mexico without required permits from the agency that assess threats to endangered species. This occurred despite strong warnings that drilling would likely have a negative impact to the environment.

The M.M.S. also frequently overruled staff biologists and engineers who raised concerns over the drilling proposals in the Gulf and Alaska.

The scientists also reported that agency officials often pressured them to change their findings on internal studies if the findings were negative.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration accused the M.M.S, in a September 2009 letter, of a pattern of minimizing the chance and potential consequences of a major gulf spill.

READ THIS STORY AT NYT.COM

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The Daily Green: The Health Effects of Oil Spills

May 11th, 2010 | Environment | | Leave a comment

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill will bring clean-up workers and volunteers into contact with hazardous materials that can affect human health. A review of the health impacts of five recent oil spills shows an assortment of symptoms including respiratory problems, dermatitis, headaches, throat irritation, DNA damage and depression.

Scientific studies on the health impacts of oil spills on residents, volunteers and workers were conducted following the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989, the Braer spill of 1993, the Sea Empress spill of 1996, the Erika oil spill of 1999 and the Prestige spill of 2002.

These studies show that people who live or work in these conditions are at risk for a variety of physical and mental health problems

READ THIS STORY AT THEDAILYGREEN.COM

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