Environmental Protection

EPA bans asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still in use decades after a partial ban was enacted

As I sit here processing the news that asbestos, a deadly carcinogen, was only now officially banned after decades of partial restrictions, I can’t help but feel a mix of shock and disbelief. How could a substance known to cause serious health issues, like mesothelioma and lung cancer, have been permitted for use for so long? The fact that I, along with many others, have unknowingly been exposed to asbestos dust from brake pads or construction sites is truly alarming. It makes me question the priorities and policies that govern our health and safety.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health and the environment, yet the delay in completely banning asbestos raises concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of regulatory mechanisms.… Continue reading

US court bans three weedkillers and finds EPA broke law in approval process

US Court Bans Three Weedkillers and Finds EPA Broke Law in Approval Process

The recent news of a US court banning three weedkillers and finding that the EPA broke the law in the approval process is both shocking and alarming. As someone who strives to maintain a safe and clean environment, it is disheartening to learn that these products were allowed on the market without undergoing proper scrutiny. The names of the weedkillers in question are XtendiMax, Tavium, and Engenia.

This is not the first time that these particular weedkillers have faced bans. Back in 2020, the ninth circuit court of appeals issued a ban, only to have the Trump administration reapprove them shortly after.… Continue reading