Monthly Archives: April 2014

Same old DC gridlock on TSCA reform

Posted on April 30, 2014 by tbach

Just moments ago I posted on yet another state’s successful lawmaking on commercial chemicals regulation.  Now, unfortunately, I get to update you on the continued paralysis in Congress on federal TSCA reform. The Hill reports today that Rep. Shimkus’s floating … Continue reading →

Posted in chemical safety regulation, congress, environmental health, public health, synthetic chemicals, TSCA | Comments Off on Same old DC gridlock on TSCA reform

“Overwhelming support” for Vermont chemicals law

Posted on April 30, 2014 by tbach

This in from local on-line news source, the Vermont Digger: “In one of the most decisive votes of the session the Vermont House supported the regulation of toxic chemicals found in children’s products.  The vote was 114-27.” As blogged a … Continue reading →

Posted in BPA, chemical safety regulation, children's products, flame retardants, label laws, synthetic chemicals | Comments Off on “Overwhelming support” for Vermont chemicals law

Water quality and mine acid rock drainage

Posted on April 24, 2014 by tbach

Our guest blogger from Alaska, Maricarmen Cruz-Guilloty, highlights this upcoming conference call seminar on how acid rock drainage from mining affects water chemistry and environmental health.  The Wednesday, April 30 teleconference will explore how acid rock drainage is one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in acid mine rock drainage, Clean Water Act, mining, water quality standards | Comments Off on Water quality and mine acid rock drainage

Happy Public Health Week

Posted on April 16, 2014 by tbach

Public Health Law Research (PHLR), a grantee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has been celebrating National Public Health Week by contributing graphics and posts on the specific role that public health law plays in improving human health.  PHLR’s research agenda is … Continue reading →

Posted in environmental health law, lead, public health law, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Happy Public Health Week

DC Court of Appeals Upholds EPA Rule on Mercury Emissions

Posted on April 16, 2014 by caitlin

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld EPA’s 2012 rule setting emission standards for coal and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units, denying the challenge from utilities and industry groups that EPA exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act. The … Continue reading →

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Climate Change and the Rise in Beef Prices

Posted on April 16, 2014 by caitlin

The price of beef has risen to $5.28 per pound, the highest since 1987, reflecting both increased demand and record drought in the U.S.’s major cattle regions. As the climate warms, causing drought in the Southwest and Midwest, reduced crop … Continue reading →

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Spring reading

Posted on April 10, 2014 by tbach

Two new articles of mine on environmental health law topics have just been published and can be found on SSRN.  The article on the Chemical Safety Improvement Act, a bill pending in Congress to overhaul TSCA, can be found at the … Continue reading →

Posted in chemical safety regulation, environmental health law, synthetic chemicals, toxicology | Comments Off on Spring reading

Climate Change Likely to Increase Range of Deer Tick Habitat Lyme Disease

Posted on April 8, 2014 by caitlin

Returning to the topic of climate change, a recent article in Environmental Health Perspectives discusses the correlation between rising temperatures, the northern expansion of deer tick habitat, and increased incidence of Lyme disease. Based on the researcher’s projections, not only … Continue reading →

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Anadarko pollution map

Posted on April 7, 2014 by tbach

The Anadarko Petroleum settlement of environmental health claims against its Kerr-McGee subsidiary has rightfully garnered a lot of attention in the last few days:  the biggest environmental cash settlement in Department of Justice history, the $5.15 billion settlement involves clean up … Continue reading →

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Remembrance of Things Past: London, 1952

Posted on April 4, 2014 by tbach

This week the United Kingdom has experienced a toxic smog that has caused 1.6 million people to suffer an  asthma attack.  A survey by Asthma UK conducted yesterday found 30% of the country’s  5.4 million asthmatics had suffered an asthma attack as … Continue reading →

Posted in air pollution, asthma, cardiovascular disease, Fine Air Particulates, vulnerable populations | Comments Off on Remembrance of Things Past: London, 1952