News & Commentary

A New Bill Proposes to Ban Chlorpyrifos Nationwide

March 28, 2019 Expert BlogNRDC

The move comes in response to the EPA’s longtime refusal to act, even while knowing the pesticide is particularly harmful to children.

NRDC and Partners Sue to Force Overdue Protections Against Chemical Spills

March 21, 2019 Expert BlogNRDC

While the EPA continues to drag its feet, extreme storms and flooding are putting the health of our most vulnerable communities at risk.

EPA Announces 20 Toxic Chemicals It Won’t Protect Us From

March 20, 2019 Expert BlogDaniel Rosenberg

EPA just announced the next 20 "high priority" chemicals—including formaldehyde—that it will review under TSCA. Given the Trump EPA's record, there is every reason to believe that the Agency won't protect us from these chemicals, and will limit the ability…

Trump EPA Back in Court to Defend Pesticide Toxic to Kids

March 20, 2019 Expert BlogMiriam Rotkin-Ellman

Next week the Trump Administration will show us, once again, how far it will go to protect polluters at the expense of children’s health.

Trump Budget Shortchanges Sustainable Agriculture

March 15, 2019 Expert BlogAllison Johnson

The Trump Administration’s 2020 budget proposal would cut over $2 billion from federal food and farming programs. It’s a recipe for exacerbating the rural economic crisis and widespread pollution, not a healthy and resilient food system.

States and Retailers: The Chemical Industry Is Lying to You

March 15, 2019 Expert BlogDaniel Rosenberg

The chemical industry wants to convince states, retailers and the public that the Trump EPA is regulating toxic chemicals and protecting health: they're lying.

EPA, Chemical Industry Version: Killing Workers Is Job One

March 13, 2019 Expert BlogDaniel Rosenberg

Toxic Paint Strippers: Ace (Finally) Acts, Trump EPA Stalls

February 28, 2019 Expert BlogSujatha Bergen, Daniel Rosenberg

Legislation Improves CA Program to Ensure Safer Products

February 21, 2019 Expert BlogAvinash Kar

The bill would amend California’s innovative “green chemistry” program to improve its functioning and ensure better oversight of toxic chemicals in consumer products that we all bring into our homes every day.

CA Must Choose Public Health Over Brain-Harming Pesticide

February 21, 2019 Expert BlogMiriam Rotkin-Ellman

California is the country’s top user of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to learning disabilities in children, using close to a million pounds per year mainly on fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

California Could Be the First Organic-to-School State

February 21, 2019 Expert BlogAllison Johnson, Lena Brook

Healthy, organic, culturally appropriate food should be available to everyone, and especially California’s public-school students. With the state’s help, California’s schools can lead the way toward a better food system for all, from farm to fork.

Buyer Beware: Dangerous Paint Strippers Still Sold

February 19, 2019 Expert BlogSujatha Bergen

Across the board, 62% of the stores we visited were still selling methylene chloride and/or NMP paint stripper products. We found the two other retailers whose stores we visited are still intentionally selling their remaining stock of methylene chloride and/or…

NRDC and Partners Sue EPA for Failing to Ban Deadly Paint Strippers

February 19, 2019 Expert BlogNRDC

Products containing the toxic chemical methylene chloride have already been linked to dozens of deaths.

EPA Delays Action—Again—on Toxic PFAS Chemicals

February 14, 2019 Expert BlogNRDC

This ubiquitous class of chemicals is already present in millions of Americans’ drinking water.

PFAS “Action” Plan Is a Toxic Valentine for Water Drinkers

February 14, 2019 Expert BlogDaniel Rosenberg

The “action plan” to address PFAS chemicals—released by the Agency today in an effort to stem the rising tide of scrutiny and criticism (and oversight)—offers little if any concrete commitments to take action.

Organic Means Healthy People and Healthy Soils

February 13, 2019 Expert BlogAllison Johnson

The certified “organic” label provides the best assurance we have today that our food was produced without dangerous synthetic pesticides.

A Small Town’s Battle Against Radioactive Fracking Waste

January 9, 2019 DispatchKentuckyAustyn Gaffney

After an illegal dumping of close to 2,000 tons of dangerous sludge and contaminated materials across the street from two schools, a Kentucky community struggles with what to do next.

The Case for Doing No Harm in Energy Efficiency Upgrades

December 19, 2018 Expert BlogMichele Knab Hasson

Danger from some materials widely used for efficiency upgrades is real, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Two new publications explain what can be done to make energy upgrades healthier for affordable housing residents, workers, and neighbors.

Hundreds of Workers Who Cleaned Up the Country’s Worst Coal Ash Spill Are Now Sick and Dying

December 17, 2018 DispatchTennesseeAustyn Gaffney

Ten years after the disaster at a Tennessee power plant, the cleanup crew is seeking justice. At the same time, the Trump administration is weakening protections for this toxic pollution.

Amazon Acts to Protect Public Health

December 10, 2018 Expert BlogSujatha Bergen

The world’s largest online retailer has taken steps to fill the void left by the EPA by banning the deadly chemicals methylene chloride and NMP.