Chemicals

"More than 40 million people in the United States and Canada depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water. Each glass of treated lake water is laden with tiny bits of plastic — microplastics — made of toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other diseases. Also contaminated are fish, staples of Midwestern fish fries and fish boils, and an important part of the diet of Indigenous tribes, certain immigrant populations and communities of color."

"An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule putting polluters on the hook to clean up toxic “forever chemicals” was upheld in court on Tuesday despite an industry challenge."

"Low-income homeowners are least likely to test and treat their well water for arsenic, and a state program to help them has treated fewer homes than expected."

"A coalition of environmentalists and community advocates sued the federal government Tuesday in an effort to halt the first-ever commercial sale of deep sea mining leases in American waters."

"The city is prioritizing historically disenfranchised neighborhoods, daycare and childcare facilities, and streets due for utility work."

"A new law gives companies a simple way to raise the bar for lawsuits. A phosphate mining company lobbied for it."

"For decades, communities have relied on the agency's cancer risk estimates to hold polluters accountable. This year, it's missing."

"Indigenous Xinca villagers burn plastic to dispose of it and stoke cooking fires, unwittingly exposing themselves, their children and environment to deadly pollutants. An ambitious project aims to change that."

"Environmental and community groups sued the Trump administration on Friday over its approval of two chemicals for use in semiconductors despite posing health risks."

"State regulators face calls to better protect low-income, Spanish-speaking immigrants from pesticide exposure in agricultural communities."