By Nancy Myers
Lots of news stories can tempt environmentalists to say “I told you so” because, unfortunately, our worst predictions tend to come true. Today’s biggest case in point is the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico but here are two more: 1. Fields planted with genetically modified crops are beginning to produce superweeds. [...]
By Carolyn Raffensperger
Note: Just last week I heard yet another reason why a government agency couldn’t regulate toxic chemicals in children’s toys. That incident inspired me to compile all the excuses I’ve heard over the years about why the public has to put up with the polluting, damming, bulldozing, and mining destruction of the Earth. [...]
By Carolyn Raffensperger
Perhaps the old reductionistic, objective science is a form of autism. This is the science that promotes dissecting frogs, but not loving them enough to work to protect them. It is the science that does risk assessment on toxic chemicals and says that some childhood cancers are acceptable. It is science [...]
By Nancy Myers
I’ve been thinking about cumulative impacts.
This is not my choice. I’d rather be thinking about my coming grandchild than about this lumpy, awkward term, “cumulative impacts.” But my work at SEHN points me to this, and I do this work for that grandchild.
Jargony as it may be, “cumulative impacts” is descriptive. Impacts are [...]
By Ted Schettler MD, MPH
Testimony in support of House Bill 33; General Assembly of Maryland
An Act concerning child care articles and toys containing bisphenol A
(Note this legislative testimony provides a brief history of the science on the chemical bisphenol A.)
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of House Bill 33. My name [...]
By Carolyn Raffensperger
My environmental health friends have long argued that the fact that every last person, human and nonhuman, carries a body burden of toxic chemicals is a violation: it is chemical trespass. We were not informed. We did not consent. It is an injustice.
Environmentalists were working off of this equation.
1) Corporations discharged toxic chemicals [...]
By Ted Schettler MD MPH
Bisphenol A, a chemical used in many consumer products, is much in the news and the topic of considerable debate. BPA has estrogenic properties and has been linked with a number of health effects, primarily in animal studies. Some adverse impacts in people are suggested by preliminary investigations. Concerns are justified [...]