EWG News Roundup (9/3): Landmark Public Health Bills Pass Calif. Legislature, Duke Energy’s $11.6 Billion Failures and More

Early this week, lawmakers in California sent three landmark pieces of legislation to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. EWG co-sponsored all three bills – Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, Senate Bill 1044 and Assembly Bill 2276 – which will require that children be tested for lead exposure; protect firefighters from toxic PFAS chemicals; and ban a number of toxic chemicals from personal care products.

Also this week, EWG published an exposé that shows a number of failed projects by Duke Energy and its partners, totaling $11.6 billion in losses since 2013.

“Duke’s priority, first and foremost, is to achieve and maintain a high profit margin, not to provide affordable service with a least cost approach to its customers,” said EWG Senior Energy Policy Advisor Grant Smith, co-author of the report. While other utilities are shedding costly, dangerous and climate-disrupting energy sources for clean, safe, cost-efficient renewables, Duke continues to waste billions with its high-risk, high-reward gambles.”

In other Duke news, the company has been claiming that it will achieve “net zero” carbon pollution by 2050, but its new resource plan shows that the company is doubling down on fossil fuel and nuclear energy.

And finally, if you’re planning on heading out to a lake or river this Labor Day weekend, make sure to find out whether it’s been compromised by an algae bloom. EWG analysis found that through the end of August, algae blooms have plagued 318 bodies of water across the U.S.

Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.

Children’s Health

Poosh: 4 Exercises to Get Your  BODY READY FOR PREGNANCY

EWG is a great site to use a resource to check products and for information on endocrine disruptors.

Conde Nast Traveler: The Best Sunscreens for All Skin Types

If you’re looking for an environmentally safe product that will also protect your kids from sun damage, look no further. This sunscreen was ranked with the highest score possible by the Environmental Working Group.

Delaware Today: Consider These Healthier Alternatives for Common Baby Products and Toys

Even soaps and lotions labeled “gentle” or “natural” can contain toxic chemicals. According to a survey by the Environmental Working Group, children encounter about 27 dangerous chemicals through exposure to personal care products alone.

Delicious Living: Strengthening Kids’ Immunity

Avoid cleaners with fragrance and volatile organic compounds, which are hazardous to health. Read labels for eco-certifications and check product safety on the Environmental Working Group’s app.

EWG’s Algae Bloom Economic Analysis

Circle of Blue: Des Moines River ‘Essentially Unusable’ for Drinking Water due to Algae Toxins

A new report from the Environmental Working Group Wednesday found that U.S. communities where algae toxin outbreaks had been reported spent more than $1.1 billion on prevention and treatment of the toxins over the past decade.

Harvest Public Media: Across Midwest, Clearing Algal Blooms From Nutrient Runoff Has High Price Tag

An economic analysis by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group found that 22 states have spent more than $1 billion altogether since 2010.

Miami New Times: Pollution Has Cost Florida Millions, and the Bill Keeps Rising

Over the past decade, the State of Florida has spent at least $20 million cleaning up and preventing algal blooms in its major bodies of water, according to a recent study by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Storm Lake Times (Iowa): Des Moines struggles to meet water demand as toxic algae blooms

THE RENDERING of the Des Moines River as a water source comes the same day Environmental Working Group released an estimate of treatment costs of algal blooms over the last 10 years.

Traverse City Record Eagle (Mich.): Editorial: Clear action called for in Torch Lake blooms

Last week the Environmental Working Group released a study showing that in the last decade, United States communities have spent more than $1 billion dealing with algae outbreaks in 85 locations and 22 states.

Michigan Public Radio: Ohio outspending Michigan by hundreds of millions to fight algae harboring toxic bacteria

A report by the Environmental Working Group’s analysis found the majority of that money was spent in Ohio. That state has spent more than $815 million as it struggles to control algae blooms in Lake Erie and some other inland lakes. Lake Erie is a hot spot for cyanobacteria.

Algae Blooms

Sound Health and Lasting Wealth: Over 300 bodies of water in the US have been plagued algae blooms this year

Long linked to animal deaths, high doses of the toxins in humans can cause liver damage and attack the nervous system. The Environment Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organizations, released a report as a warning ahead of the holiday weekend in the US.

California Bill: AB2762 Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

HAPPI: California Ingredient Ban

“If signed into law, Californians will have greater assurance of the safety of the consumer products they use every day—like lotion and body wash, toothpaste and dental floss, shampoo and conditioner, and makeup,” said Susan Little, EWG’s senior advocate for California government affairs.

California Bill: SB1044 PFAS Chemicals in Firefighting Equipment and Foam

Inside EPA: California Bill Banning PFAS In Firefighting Foam Heads To Governor (subscription)
They also require reporting of the presence of all PFAS in firefighting gear, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Legislatures in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina and Vermont are also considering similar bans.

Environmental Expert: PFAS Regulation Moves Forward at State, Federal Levels

Awareness also rose after the recent release of an Environmental Working Group (EWG) study, which found that PFAS was underreported at many locations in the United States.

Cleaning Products

Dazzling Daily Deals: 11 Products To Help You Become More Organic #ShiftCon #ShiftConLove

Our Laundry Powder is rated A by the Environmental Working Group and a little goes a long way. You’ll love the Wool Dryer Balls which last at least 3 years and replace the need for a toxic fabric softener.

Greatist: Going Au Naturel? Here Are the Best Natural Cleaning Products of 2020

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), people should also avoid these types of products completely…

Green Matters: Seventh Generation Is Now Selling Zero-Waste, Powder-Based Cleaning Products

Seventh Generation is owned by multinational corporation Unilever (a significant plastic polluter); its products run the gamut on EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning with scores ranging from A to F; and most of its products are still packaged in plastic.

Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database

Forbes: What’s Hiding In Your Skincare And Makeup Is Anything But Beautiful

Cosmetic and personal care is a multi-billion-dollar industry. According to the Environmental Working Group, every day the average woman uses 12  different beauty products such as body cleansers, conditioners, hair dyes, fragrances, skin care items, scented lotions, nail polish, and makeup.

Best Life: 20 Best Generic Products From Target

Not only is it a favorite among customers, it's earned an Environmental Working Group score of four, meaning there are low concerns about its ingredients and processing.

Black Hair Information: 3 Reasons Why Petroleum Gets A Bad Rap

The environmental Working Group (EWG) which is a U.S. non-profit organizational that does environmental and safety studies  gave petroleum a “moderate hazard” safety rating stating that it needed more study before it can be considered safe.

Duke Energy Accountability Coalition

Energy News Network: Energy industry pushes biogas to replace failed pipeline projects

An environmental group says Duke Energy and its partners have pulled the plug on about $11.6 billion in failed projects since 2013. (Environmental Working Group)

Washington Examiner: Daily on Energy: NuScale reaches milestone in quest for working small nuclear reactor

The North Carolina-based utility has been involved in roughly $11.6 billion in failed natural gas and nuclear projects since 2013, the Environmental Working Group finds in a new report Monday.

EWG VERIFIED®

Vanilla Luxury: Best Hair Loss Shampoos and Products to Buy for Thinning Hair in Singapore

This Avalon Organics® shampoo formula is EWG VERIFIED®, which means it meets the Environmental Working Group's strictest criteria for ingredients, transparency, and health and features the EWG VERIFIED® seal on its label!

Glyphosate in Hummus

KX Net (Bismark, N.D.): Cancer-causing chemical found in hummus, should you be worried?

The Environmental Working Group or otherwise known as the EWG reports that one-third of the 27 conventional hummus products surpassed “their health-based benchmark.”

PFAS in Consumer Products

Top Class Actions: Are Thinx Underwear Toxic? Report Says Yes!

In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), testing shows that 99% of Americans have PFAS in their blood.

KYW (Philadelphia): Study finds fast-food chains are still using wrappers with toxic PFAS chemicals

Recent testing has found similar results, that these compounds are still being used,” explained Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group.

PFAS Military Base Contamination

Ring of Fire: EPA Allows Defense Department To Pollute Communities & Boeing Airline Crash Lawsuits

Well, you and I right now are sitting in an area that’s basically surrounded by three massive military bases and we know according to maps by the Environmental Working group, this area you and I are sitting in right now is one of those sites that is hugely contaminated.

PFAS Waste Disposal

Chemistry World: PFAS incineration study cancelled by US environment agency

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) called Wheeler’s remarks a ‘vicious personal attack’ on Enck, and added that she is a leading environmental advocate in the area of Hoosick Falls, New York, which has been affected by PFAS contamination.

EHS Daily Advisor: EPA Plans to Study Incineration of PFAS Waste

“Laboratory-scale studies have shown that, when incinerated, PFAS can break down to toxic, volatile chemicals such as carbon tetrafluoride and hexafluoroethane, as well as trifluoroacetic acid and hydrogen fluoride,” according to Environmental Working Group.

PFAS Water Contamination

Center for Health Journalism: Start digging into the hidden chemicals polluting your community

In July this year, the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit group founded in 1993 with a focus on public health and the environment, launched a new report that showed as many as 110 million Americans – about one out of every three people in the country – are living in areas with water shown to be contaminated with PFAs.

Cleveland.com: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine seeks Defense Department agreement to address PFAS contamination at Wright Patterson Air Force Base

According to the Environmental Working Group, PFAS chemicals have been found in drinking water in Ohio communities including Cleveland Heights and Struthers, and on military bases including Camp Ravenna and Wright Patterson.

Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

Healthy Holistic Living: Old Fashioned Baking Soda Found To Be The Most Effective At Removing Pesticide Residue

According to the infamous Dirty Dozen list produced by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the foods with the most pesticides for 2020 are…

Patch (Howell, N.J.): Kale People

According to a Time article, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published its 2019 Dirty Dozen list, which ranked 12 produce items in terms of contamination…

Rercordnet (Stockton, Calif.): Plant strawberries in the fall so you can enjoy your own crop in the spring

For several years, strawberries have been designated by the Environmental Working Group as No. 1 among the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables contaminated with pesticides, although within FDA standards (https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php.)

EWG Guide to Sunscreens

Expat Living: Let’s talk sunscreen!

All of the ingredients in our products rate well on the Environmental Working Group and Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary. (These are website databases specialising in the research and evaluation of ingredients.)

Houston Chronicle: If you haven't melted yet, here's how to beat the heat in Houston.

Choose a mineral-based sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium oxide. These are the only ingredients that are proven safe for human use, according to the Environmental Working Group.

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