The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to reconsider its ban on asbestos, a known cancer-causing substance. This decision, following an industry challenge, is expected to delay the ban for approximately 30 months, giving manufacturers potentially up to 12 years to phase out its use. This prolonged timeline reflects lobbying efforts from trade groups.
The potential for a weakened or overturned ban on asbestos raises serious concerns about public health. Asbestos exposure has been linked to numerous debilitating and deadly diseases, including mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of lung cancer. The prospect of increased asbestos use represents a significant setback in efforts to protect individuals from preventable cancers and respiratory illnesses.… Continue reading
A proposed rollback of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, requiring large polluters to publicly report emissions, threatens to significantly increase emissions and hinder climate change mitigation efforts. The program’s data, crucial for tracking emissions reductions (over 75% of the overall U.S. decline since 2010), is now at risk, coinciding with EPA cuts to air quality monitoring. This lack of accountability and data, particularly in already underserved communities, makes it harder to address the health impacts of air pollution. Simultaneous funding cuts for air monitoring programs further exacerbate this issue, highlighting the urgent need for continued emission reporting and robust air quality monitoring nationwide.
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Nineteen skulls of Black individuals, removed from their bodies in New Orleans’ Charity Hospital in 1872 and sent to Leipzig University for racist pseudo-scientific research, are being returned. A memorial ceremony will honor these individuals, acknowledging a shameful chapter in medical history fueled by unfounded theories of racial inferiority. The event aims to confront this dark past and provide a path toward justice and remembrance for the victims. The repatriation and memorialization represent a crucial step towards reconciliation and acknowledging past injustices.
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The Trump administration announced plans to rescind and postpone Biden-era regulations limiting “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in drinking water. These rollbacks will repeal limits on four PFAS chemicals and delay implementation of limits on two others, despite widespread PFAS contamination linked to serious health problems. The decision follows a lawsuit from the chemical industry and water utilities who argued the regulations were overly burdensome. Environmental groups plan to sue, citing the Safe Drinking Water Act’s anti-backsliding provision. The EPA claims the new rules will reduce burdens on water systems while maintaining public health protections.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly planning to weaken a crucial rule designed to curb the presence of “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, in our drinking water. This decision has sparked considerable outrage and confusion, with many questioning the motives behind such a move. The proposed weakening of regulations, which previously aimed to establish strict limits on PFAS contamination, raises serious concerns about public health and environmental protection.
This rollback is particularly alarming given the known dangers of PFAS. These chemicals, persistent and resistant to degradation, accumulate in the environment and human bodies, potentially leading to various health problems. The EPA’s own research underscores the significant risks associated with even low levels of PFAS exposure.… Continue reading
The Trump administration plans to eliminate the EPA’s climate change and climate protection partnership divisions, impacting programs like greenhouse gas reporting and methane partnerships. Simultaneously, the Energy Star program, a widely recognized energy efficiency certification, faces closure despite bipartisan support and significant consumer benefits. These actions, part of broader EPA restructuring, contradict stated goals of reducing household energy costs and represent a major setback for climate change mitigation efforts. The elimination of these programs could significantly impact the measurement and regulation of US fossil fuel emissions. The EPA’s justification centers on internal organizational improvements, while critics cite the significant financial and environmental consequences of these proposed changes.
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Pakistan has expelled over 80,000 Afghan nationals since March due to a renewed crackdown on undocumented foreigners. This forced repatriation sends thousands back to Afghanistan, where they face unsafe conditions, economic hardship, and Taliban restrictions, particularly concerning women and girls’ education. Despite a deadline extension, the pace of deportations has slowed due to local authorities’ hesitancy and international pressure. Concerns remain regarding vulnerable groups and the potential for instability, highlighting the complex humanitarian situation.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker