The once and future king

"Every minute, a machine at Peabody Energy Corp.'s North Antelope Rochelle mine scrapes an 80-foot wall of coal with a giant steel claw. With each swipe, the beast pivots and deposits a heap of black rock into a waiting truck."

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Water analysis raises safety issues

"A new analysis showing the presence of a probable carcinogen in the tap water of 31 cities across the country has raised questions about possible risks posed to consumers in those communities and how they can reduce their exposure."

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Chemical Found in Older Home Products (PFOS) Shown to Alter Immune Cells~!

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), or perfluorooctane sulfonate is a compound that was primarily made by 3M in the US. Under advisement by the Environmental Protection Agency is is no longer produced for products in the United States. Before 2000, it was used in foam and as fire retardents as well, as for Scotchguard for carpets. The chemical has also been found in wildlife at levels that may effect health. (Wipedia)

In recent studies, it has demonstrated some health effects but the studies have been considered as biased and somewhat controversial. A new study again shows there may be effects on the immune system. Th results show that " PFOS exposure can alter some inflammatory processes, which could potentially lead to misdirected inflammatory responses." In a previous 2010 study, results showed substantial elevations in immune parameters with LPS.(Dong)

In individuals who already may be susceptible to altered immune function, this may have a negative impact on health. Mixed exposures may augment the inflammatory response and immune changes.

Mollenhauer, M. A., Bradshaw, S. G., Fair, P. A., McGuinn, W. D. & Peden-Adams, M. M. Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure on markers of inflammation in female B6C3F1 mice. Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering 46, 97-108 (2011). URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10934529.2011.532418.
Dong, G.-H. H. et al. Subchronic effects of perfluorooctanesulfonate exposure on inflammation in adult male C57BL/6 mice. Environmental toxicology (2010). URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tox.20642.
http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/7736401?show_msg=already_posted
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Wipedia. Retrieved on December 21, 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfluorooctanesulfonic_acid

EPA Tightening Drinking Water Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening drinking water standards to impose stricter limits on four contaminants that can cause cancer. Read more.....

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Public Comments Sought by EPA on Chlorpyrifos Decision

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just announced that it is seeking public comment until December 15 on a draft stipulation in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that will suspend further litigation with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) on the claim that EPA has unreasonably delayed its response to their 2007 petition to cancel all uses and revoke all tolerances for the pesticide chlorpyrifos..."

Public Comments Sought by EPA on Chlorpyrifos Decision

Single Exposure to Dioxin Can Cause Problems for Future Generations

"A new study finds that exposure to dioxin in the womb can affect female reproduction for generations, reducing fertility and increasing the chance for premature delivery. Scientists from the Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine examined the effects of a specific variety of dioxin on female mice and found that subsequent generations of the mice exposed to dioxin are at risk......"

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EPA Asked to Pull Pesticide Linked to Bee Kills

Beekeepers and environmentalists called on the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) December 8, to remove a pesticide linked to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), citing a leaked EPA memo that discloses a critically flawed scientific support study...Read more

EPA to Expand Chemicals Testing for Endocrine Disruption

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified a list of 134 chemicals that will be screened for their potential to disrupt the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interact with and possibly disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by the human or animal endocrine system...

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EPA Announces New Tool to Promote Safer Chemicals and Products

As part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s commitment to strengthen and reform chemical management, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new criteria to help companies and other groups, such as states and environmental organizations, identify safer chemicals.

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EPA Announces 2010 Enforcement and Compliance Results

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the release of its annual enforcement and compliance results. In fiscal year (FY) 2010, EPA took enforcement and compliance actions that require polluters to pay more than $110 million in civil penalties and commit to spend an estimated $12 billion on pollution controls, cleanup, and environmental projects that benefit communities....read more

Green energy faces GOP headwinds on Hill - Washington Times

Green energy faces GOP headwinds on Hill - Washington Times: "The Obama administration lavished billions of stimulus dollars on wind-power producers and other renewable-energy interests, but the whirl of the turbines may slow dramatically as budget-cutting Republicans take their seats in the next Congress."