Showing 286-300 of 309
-
Senate vote requires military, EPA to deal with harmful 'forever chemicals'
Policy
27 Jun 2019
The Senate passed the 2020 Defense Spending Bill including a bipartisan amendment that would commission the U.S. Geological Survey to track PFAS contamination nationwide and require public utilities to test drinking water for PFAS. The House is expected to vote on this legislation in July.
-
On Japan’s Okinawa, U.S. military is accused of contaminating environment with hazardous chemical
News
17 Jun 2019 | Washington Post
The U.S. military on the Japanese island of Okinawa is facing accusations of environmental contamination after high levels of a carcinogenic chemical were found in the rivers around a U.S. air base and in the blood of local residents, according to a new study.
-
PFAS Nation: Toxic discharges suspected from almost 500 industrial facilities across U.S.
News
11 Jun 2019
At least 475 industrial facilities across the nation could be discharging the toxic fluorinated compounds known as PFAS into the air and water, according to an EWG analysis of government data... [This] count of industrial sites does not include 446 public water systems known to be contaminated with PFAS, more than 100 military installations with known or suspected water contamination identified by the Pentagon, or hundreds of Defense Department fire training stations with known or suspected use of PFAS-based firefighting foam, identified by the Intercept...
-
The toxic water crisis that 2020 Democrats are still figuring out how to talk about
News
4 Jun 2019 | Huffington Post
“As people discover contamination of their drinking water, they become very concerned and would support those who want to solve the problems,” said Arlene Blum, executive director of the California-based Green Science Policy Institute. “The question is, will people vote because of PFAS?”...
-
A trail of toxicity: the US military bases making people sick
News
23 May 2019 | The Guardian
The Department of Defense started using PFAS-laden firefighting foam in the 70s. A groundwater well at Peterson air force base had 88,000 ppt. At other bases around the country, PFAS levels in the millions have been detected.
-
Investigation: Dangerous and persistent chemicals discovered at a middle Tennessee military base
News
15 May 2019 | Nashville Public Radio
A family of man-made chemicals known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, is starting to gain national attention after studies have linked it to health issues, possibly including cancer. It’s prevalent at military installations around the country — including at Arnold Air Force Base in Middle Tennessee, where it’s found…
-
NYT: Pentagon pushes for weaker standards on chemicals contaminating drinking water
News
15 May 2019 | The New York Times
Facing billions of dollars in cleanup costs, the Pentagon is pushing the Trump administration to adopt a weaker standard for groundwater pollution caused by chemicals that have commonly been used at military bases and that contaminate drinking water consumed by millions of Americans.…
-
Michigan AG plans to sue 3M over PFAS crisis
News
9 May 2019 | woodtv
Michigan Attorney General announced Thursday she will pursue litigation against Minnesota-based 3M, the maker of PFAS that has contaminated wells and waterways across the state… 3M produced PFAS for decades for products like Scotchgard and firefighting foam…
-
Why researchers and regulators have more questions than answers about PFAS (podcast)
News
8 May 2019 | The Whyy
Communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have grown increasingly worried about a class of toxic chemicals known as PFAS. These ‘forever chemicals’ are in lots of consumer products from pizza boxes to dental floss. And they’ve been found to have contaminated soil and drinking water. But as fears about the potential…
-
U.S. Congress: H.R. 2570, the "PFAS User Fee Act of 2019"
Policy
8 May 2019
Rep. Rouda, Harley (D-CA) introduced a bill that would ensure that polluters pay ongoing water treatment costs associated with exposure from PFAS pollution.
-
States, experts say EPA role on PFAS chemicals crucial
News
6 May 2019 | Echo Pilot
Even as states across the country work to address toxic per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) by creating their own drinking water protections, legal experts and regulators say the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plays a crucial role. The dynamic is particularly important where the military is…
-
E.P.A. proposes weaker standards on chemicals contaminating drinking water
News
29 Apr 2019 | The New York Times
After pressure from the Defense Department, the Environmental Protection Agency significantly weakened a proposed standard for cleaning up groundwater pollution caused by toxic chemicals that contaminate drinking water consumed by millions of Americans and that have been commonly used at military bases. Standards released by…
-
Five years after discovery, PFAS concerns continue in Bucks and Montgomery Counties
News
25 Apr 2019 | Bucks County Courier Times
Steve Vernik’s home sat empty for months, passed over again and again until he eventually sold it earlier this month, for $25,000 less than he originally sought. There’s little doubt in his mind it’s because of the toxic chemicals that were found in his drinking…
-
Military challenging states on $2 billion chemical liability
News
16 Apr 2019 | Bucks County Intelligencer
The U.S. Department of Defense has quietly begun battling environmental regulators in several states, after the agencies attempted to force the military to clean toxic firefighting chemicals from polluted streams, marshes and aquifers. The efforts mark the opening acts of what could turn into a…
-
Thousands of gallons of toxic foam used at Luke Air Force Base for more than 40 years. Here’s what it means for our water
News
16 Apr 2019 | Arizona Republic
Luke Air Force Base used a toxic firefighting foam to put out at least 10 jet crash fires and suppress many more controlled fires in training activities in the last half century, according to a U.S. Air Force report. Overall, thousands of gallons of the foam may have seeped into the…