The latest from EWG’s staff of experts

Check out the New York Times for a rundown of the impressive environmental initiatives the nation's largest retailer is undertaking. Wal-Mart plans to double fuel economy on its delivery trucks, reduce energy use in its stores and minimize packaging.

Key Issues: 

Consumer Products

Feeling good about donating your old computer for use by someone in another country? Then don't read Laurie J. Flynn's New York Times story about the finding that many of those donated electronics end up creating pollution, not opportunities, for people in developing nations.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

An FDA panel is examining possible health concerns associated with antibacterial soaps, wipes and other household products. The market is booming for these germ-killers, but home use might be creating strains resistant to both antibacterials and antibiotics. This is of particular concern to families with children, as it presents the double-edged sword of exposing children to surviving super-germs, or, on the other hand, overprotecting them in a squeaky-clean environment that prevents them from building immunity, which can lead to asthma or allergies later in life.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chemical Policy (TSCA)

Triclosan

Construction on 9,500 new oil and gas wells in western Colorado is creating erosion and runoff that's clogging towns' irrigation systems and raising cleanup costs.

Key Issues: 

Energy

Many baby and young children's products like teething rings, plastic and plush toys, clothing, and personal care products contain phthalates and fire retardants, a new study shows.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Children’s Products

The U.S. Forest Service has fired a 40-year employee after he filed a whistleblower complaint related to misuse of pesticides across several forests in Arizona and New Mexico. He said he was fired him because the Forest Service doesn't want controls over its pesticide use in public areas.

Key Issues: 

Pesticides

An October 6 investigation by the Christian Science Monitor finds that 27 states are taking the lead on environmental protection issues in cases where they feel the federal government is either acting wrongly, slowly or not at all. Will this trend become the norm?

Key Issues: 

Conservation

San Francisco officials are looking at a proposal requiring trilingual signs in restaurants, stores and markets warning consumers of mercury in their fish. Mercury can cause neurological and developmental problems, with pregnant mothers, infants and children most at risk.

Key Issues: 

Mercury