News tagged with 'Pollution'

Allergens including pollution, pollen count, mold, humidity, and a lack of smoke-free laws have the Asthma and Allergy Foundation creating its Top Ten List of Allergy Capitals. St. Louis tops the list for 2009.

The average American has a cancer risk of 36 in 1 million if exposed to toxic air pollution, according to a new report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air toxins are known to or suspected of causing cancer and other serious health problems.

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that a public health emergency exists at the Libby asbestos site in Montana. This is the first time the agency has made a determination under the Superfund law, which governs sites contaminated or threatened by hazardous substances.

Ozone pollution eminating from fossil fuel plants, chemical solvents, and cars, is linked to an increase in respiratory deaths in this published study. Los Angeles and Riverside California are particularly high in ozone levels.

It may be the most significant criminal prosecution ever brought against a corporate polluter. The town of Libby, Montana is finally having its day in court. Town residents claim that the vermiculite mining operation, W.R. Grace, withheld information about the dangers of asbestos that blanketed the entire town with a fine dust.  More than 1,200 died or developed lung disease from asbestos fibers. 

Lead levels in the blood of youngsters has reached a 20 year low, according to a CDC report.  The 84 percent drop in lead levels in youngsters is reminiscent of levels not seen since the 1970s when lead was removed from gasoline and paint. 

Defective Chinese Drywall? Residents of South Florida are complaining about a foul smell coming from drywall or plasterboard that is made in China. Pipes and wires are also corroding. The health department has received 39 complaints and some residents have had to leave. A leading national builder says it will help people relocate and fix the problem.

Cleaner air translates to a longer life, concludes a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 51 cities around the country were studied and the life expectancy has increased by nearly five months in the cities with the cleanest air. 

Following federal litigation, the EPA has agreed to slash the amount of allowable airborne lead to one-tenth the amount currently allowed.  The problem is the lead recycling industry must comply and there is a lack of lead monitors nationwide. 

While the pink bandwagon will be raising funds to fight breast cancer during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, few resources are focused on the causes of breast cancer.  Many supporters of the month are industries with something to gain.   

A new study finds small particles found in air pollution can negatively impact heart patients who have coronary heart disease, by impairing the heart’s ability to conduct electrical signals.

A new study by Canadian researchers suggests affluent women that live near highways are more likely to deliver a pre-term, low-birth-weight or small baby. The study found disproportionately high associations between mothers living close to a highway and birth complications among affluent mothers.

The value on replacing a life has been quietly reduced by the EPA as part of its cost/ benefit analysis. The Associated Press discovered the reduction of about $1 million on human life which goes directly to weighing the cost versus the lifesaving benefits of a proposed rule. The less a life is worth, the less a need for imposing regulations on pollution and toxic cleanup. 

Vinyl shower curtains tested by The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ) from five popular retailers, were found to contain high concentrations of polyvinyl chloride (PCV) chemicals associated with cancer and other health problems. The amount of chemicals present was 16 times greater than the guideline for indoor air quality. 

Up to 24,000 deaths a year among Californians are linked to air pollution, new research finds.  That is triple the previous estimate and may be shaving off up to 10 years of life of those living in congested areas.