Environmental Health | The Pump Handle

Environmental Health Trump’s EPA disbanded pollution advisory panel, so they’re reconvening on their own

September 29, 2019 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Last year, the Trump administration EPA dismissed the Particulate Matter Review Panel, leaving the agency and its primary group of clean air advisors without the expertise they need to thoroughly update air pollution standards. The review panel’s scientists are so committed to their work that they’ve decided to meet and provide their crucial advice even without the federal government’s blessing.

Environmental Health Trampling science in a rush to drill

August 4, 2019 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Examples of federal agencies ignoring and suppressing science are alarmingly common these days, but Adam Federman’s investigation into the Department of the Interior’s actions regarding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is especially breathtaking.

Environmental Health Science on asbestos prominent at hearing, but sidelined in EPA rule

May 8, 2019 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Hours before the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019 (HR 1603), the New York Times reported that EPA ignored its scientists’ advice in proposing a new asbestos rule.

Environmental Health Commenters Slam EPA’s Attempts to Ignore Benefits of Regulating Mercury and Other Air Pollutants

April 24, 2019 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Of the more than 300,000 public comments submitted to EPA regarding a proposed undermining of air pollution rules, several criticized the agency for something that’s become a disturbing trend under the Trump administration: Ignoring evidence that demonstrates a need for regulation.

Environmental Health “Denial Playbook” hearing highlights resistance to inconvenient truths

March 3, 2019 Liz Borkowski, MPH

What connects the opioid crisis, football players’ concussion risks, and climate change? A playbook created by the tobacco industry that relies on denying evidence of harms to public health.

Drug Safety Science during the shutdown

January 14, 2019 Liz Borkowski, MPH

The nationwide financial squeeze on federal employees, contractors, and the businesses that depend on them may be the most visible harm from the ongoing partial government shutdown, but we should also be aware of damage to science. The shutdown has furloughed federal scientists, stalled data collection, weakened scientific meetings, left current and potential collaborators hanging, […]

Environmental Health The climate assessment Trump wants to ignore

December 3, 2018 Liz Borkowski, MPH

The day after Thanksgiving, the White House made public the Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II. Congress has mandated that these reports be released every four years, and the Trump administration seemingly figured that doing so on the day after Thanksgiving would limit public attention.

Environmental Health Hurricanes and livestock waste

September 24, 2018 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Following Hurricane Florence, North Carolina residents face health risks from livestock waste that’s been spilling from flooded containment enclosures.

Environmental Health Study: Air pollution is shaving a full year off global life expectancy

August 29, 2018 Kim Krisberg

If all countries met World Health Organization standards for fine particulate air pollution, life expectancy gains could be similar in scale to eradicating breast and lung cancer.

Environmental Health Court tells EPA it can’t ignore science on chlorpyrifos

August 15, 2018 Liz Borkowski, MPH

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals orders EPA to ban the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos because the evidence shows that it’s harmful.