Health

Watchdog Groups Call for Improvements in Contractor Misconduct Database

The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and OMB Watch want the federal government to tighten the accountability of federal contractors by fixing problems with the database — a potentially valuable tool for environmental reporters.

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Health Care Journalists Seek End to Press Office Restrictions at FDA

The Association of Health Care Journalists and other journalism groups have co-signed a letter to the Food and Drug Administration's Transparency Task Force, calling for FDA to "end these harmful practices and restore the free flow of information."

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"BP Faces Record Fine for ’05 Refinery Explosion"

"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will announce the largest fine in its history on Friday, $87 million in penalties against the oil giant BP for failing to correct safety problems identified after a 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers at its Texas City, Tex. refinery, federal officials said Thursday."

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National (U.S.)

Source: NYTimes, 10/30/2009

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Older Buildings May Pose Sizable Risk of PCB Exposure

EPA is warning about possible risks from PCBs in the caulking at some schools and older buildings. Are there some in your community?

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"Environmental Factors in Birth Defects: What We Need to Know"

"Dozens of red flags suggest that a wide range of pollutants are playing a role in millions of birth defects that strike worldwide every year. But little is being done to understand or control exposures."

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International

Source: EHP, 10/02/2009

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"US Should Watch for Animal Disease, Institute Says"

"The United States needs to lead a global effort to protect people from new outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases that originate in animals, such as swine flu, AIDS and SARS, health experts said on Tuesday."

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Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Reuters, 09/24/2009

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December 7, 2009 to December 10, 2009

Environmental Stressors in the Developmental of Origins of Disease

Baby risks can morph to adult disease

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March 7, 2010 to March 11, 2010

Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting

Hazards in the Environment

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Air

Chemicals

Environmental Studies

"Swimming Pool Chlorine Raises Asthma, Allergy Risks: Study"

"Swimming in chlorinated pools may increase the risk of a child getting asthma and respiratory allergies like hay fever, according to a Belgian study."

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Public

International

Source: Reuters, 09/15/2009