Top US retailers in toxic ‘Hall of Shame’ ahead of holidays
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or ingredients for a delicious holiday meal, one health group is warning that you might want to be careful where you shop. The nonprofit Toxic-Free Future, which specializes in environmental health research and advocacy, released it latest Retailer Report Card on the use of toxic chemicals and some of the most popular names are featured in its “Hall of Shame.”
For the report, Toxic-Free Future looked at the top 50 retailers in the United States and Canada and graded them on a scale of A to F, like a school report card.
The retailers that ranked lowest on the list were ones that owned restaurants and dollar store chains like Five Below, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. The retailers that received A grades were Apple, Sephora, Target and Walmart.
Target and Walmart, which also owns popular bulk chain Sam’s Club, were the only grocery retailers to get such a high grade.
Publix and Trader Joe’s received an F, Aldi got a D+, Costco and Kroger both received a C-, and Whole Foods scored a B.
More than 2,000 cleaning supplies contain chemicals linked to health issues
Keeping a clean home is a big step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but what if the products a person uses to clean their home are part of the problem? According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches and advocates for safer products, more than 2,000 cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems like asthma, cancer risk and chemical burns.
These substances are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are gases that can be emitted from certain products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the impact of these chemicals depends on how often a person is exposed to them and to what degree they are exposed.
The agency said the concentration of VOCs are often much higher indoors.
One top EPA official said it can be hard to avoid these chemicals because the list of ingredients in cleaning products can be long and it’s hard to tell what exactly you could be exposed to based on that list.
The EPA has made it easier to choose healthier products, though. It has a label a person can look for on cleaning supplies that says the EPA has deemed them a “safer choice.”
The agency also has a dedicated website where people can search for a product to see if it measures up to the EPA’s standards.
At least 15 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
The death toll from Hurricane Milton rises as millions are left without power in the storm’s aftermath. And one person is killed and 12 others rescued after a disaster during a tour of a Colorado mine. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
At least 8 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
At least 15 people are dead (that number has risen since Unbiased Updates was recorded Friday morning, Oct. 11), and 2.6 million homes and businesses remain without power as Florida begins to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared across the state. It was the second devastating storm to batter the Sunshine State in less than two weeks.
Now a post-tropical cyclone, Milton is expected to continue to weaken over the next few days.
While Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast near Sarasota, most of the deaths reported have been in the eastern part of the state, where dozens of tornadoes have been reported. While the storm did not prove to be the worst-case scenario, rescuers have been very busy pulling and dragging hundreds of people from flooded areas to safety.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both said in this case, warnings came early and often, spurring tens of thousands of people to evacuate and saving countless lives.
Still, the cleanup and recovery processes are expected to take weeks, if not months — especially in the areas that were also hit by Hurricane Helene just 13 days before Milton barreled in.
1 dead, 12 rescued after elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 12 people are now safe after getting trapped at the bottom of a gold mine for six hours Thursday, Oct. 10. One person died after the elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist attraction, experienced a mechanical problem 500 feet below the earth’s surface.
The 12 adults had access to water and were able to communicate with authorities via radio while trapped. As that group was stuck, rescuers were able to get to 11 other people who were riding the elevator and get them to safety.
The local sheriff said it is not yet known what caused the malfunction. An investigation is underway.
The incident happened during the final week of Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine‘s tourist season before it shuts down for the winter.
Chemical leak at Houston oil refinery kills 2, injures dozens more
Two people are dead and 35 more are injured after a chemical leak involving hydrogen sulfide, a potentially toxic gas, at an oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas — near Houston. Officials said a group was working on a flange Thursday when some kind of accident happened, and gas started leaking.
Emergency officials urged residents in the area to shelter in place after the incident, but this morning, that’s since been lifted after air monitoring showed no signs hazardous chemicals had gotten into the air.
Trump talks economic plan in Detroit; Obama rallies for Harris in PA
With just 25 days until Americans head to the polls, voters in two battleground states heard from two former presidents on Thursday. Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Detroit, Michigan while former President Barack Obama – stumped for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While delivering his economic address to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump spoke about his goal to revive the auto industry and bring a “rebirth” to Detroit. He then turned to international companies and his plan for them to open facilities in America.
“So, here is the deal that I will be offering to the world to companies outside of our world — big companies, powerful companies that have become powerful because we were stupid, we were stupid, we allowed them to come and raid and rape our country,” Trump said. “That’s what they did. ‘Oh, he used the word rape.’ That’s right, I used the word. They raped our country. The United States will give you the lowest taxes, the lowest energy cost, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country in the world and it’s the best…But only if you make your products here in America. In other words, you get all of these assets, but you have to make your product here in America and you have to hire American workers.”
“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “That’s who Kamala is.”
He added, “I’m sorry gentlemen; I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying and of putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons and that is what I want to see in a president for the United States of America.”
Hezbollah official escapes during deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut killed 22 people and injured 117 others. Sources told Reuters a senior Hezbollah official, targeted by Israeli forces during the Thursday night strikes, was able to survive.
Israel has not commented on the attack.
The United Nations said its personnel is facing increasing danger in Lebanon as two U.N. peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at its main headquarters in the southern portion of the country. Israel issued a statement on that incident, saying its military operated “next to” the U.N.’s base and had instructed U.N. officials to remain in protected spaces before its troops opened fire.
Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near @UNIFIL_ posts.
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.
IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base.…
The peacekeepers were said to be in good condition after being treated for their injuries.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHK, NASCAR and others to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday night football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
Black-colored plastics found in kitchen utensils, toys linked to toxic chemical
A study published on Tuesday, Oct. 1, found that black-colored plastics may contain concerning levels of a toxic flame retardant that could be leaching in through the recycling process. The study, done by environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future, found the highest levels of the toxic chemical in costume jewelry kids often wear when dressing up as pirates.
The study’s lead author said these necklaces contain toxic chemicals equal to almost 3% of their weight.
Researchers found one PBDE, in particular, known as decaBDE was found in 70% of samples tested even though it was completely banned in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2021.
The European Union allows a level of decaBDEs up to 10 parts per million in products. The study’s authors said they found levels ranging from 5-1,200 times greater than that in the products they tested.
Take black plastic kitchen utensils for example. Researchers say based on how often they’re used, you could be exposed to nearly 38 parts per million of decaBDE per day — more than three times what the E.U. has deemed acceptable.
Most of the contamination can be traced back to flame retardants used in electronic devices like TVs, smartphones, gaming systems, and computers. This contamination occurs when these items are improperly recycled.
However, these flame retardants can also be found in the padding of things like couches, yoga mats, children’s car seats, just to name a few.
The study also only looked at black plastics, so it’s unclear if the toxic chemicals can be found in any other color of plastic.
Researchers say if you want to cut down your exposure, you can replace your kitchen utensils with stainless steel, dust, mop, and vacuum regularly to get rid of any dust that has been contaminated, and never wash and reuse the black plastic containers your food comes in or put them in the microwave.
East Palestine residents may wait years for payments due to appeal of settlement
East Palestine residents may have to wait up to two years before getting paid out by Norfolk Southern for a disastrous train derailment in 2023, according to lawyers on Monday, Sept. 30. Settlement checks were reportedly supposed to go out by the end of this year but now that appears it will not happen after an appeal by one of the plaintiff’s last week.
The appeal challenges whether a federal judge’s decision to approve a more than $600 million settlement gave enough money to East Palestinians.
Some residents reportedly expressed outrage over the weekend about the appeal by a local pastor because they said they needed those payments to move out of town.
Other residents said that they had deeper concerns about the chemicals they were exposed to from the rail disaster after officials decided to blow up the boxcars filled with toxic chemicals. Those residents want the plaintiff’s lawyers to reveal what their expert found when he tested for any lingering contamination in East Palestine.
Now, an appeals court will have to determine whether or not the settlement offers enough money to residents and if enough information was given to East Palestinians before an agreement was reached.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys vowed on Monday to do everything in their “power” to “quickly resolve this appeal,” adding, “It is tragic that one person is substituting their judgement for the entire community who wants this settlement, and instead of opting out, they have gone this route.”
Lawyers say it is likely the payments will be delayed six months to a year. However, they say the wait may be even longer if the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court or gets sent back to federal court.
The settlement offers payments of up to $70,000 per household and up to $25,000 per individual. The funds are meant to cover health issues and property damage to the community from the derailment disaster.
Georgia chemical plant erupts in flames, thousands evacuated
A fire broke out Sunday, Sept. 29, at the BioLab chemical plant, located about 24 miles east of Atlanta, prompting the evacuation of 17,000 people and a shelter-in-place order for 77,000 others. The fire, which started around 5:30 a.m., was triggered when water from the plant’s sprinkler system mixed with a reactive chemical, creating a plume of potentially hazardous smoke.
The plume changed color from white to black to orange, prompting authorities to close an eight-mile stretch of Interstate 20 and several local roads, causing significant traffic disruptions.
No injuries have been reported, and all BioLab employees are accounted for. Local hospitals remained operational, though some patients were transferred as a precaution. Nearby school districts canceled classes on Monday, Sept. 30.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office expanded the evacuation zone in the afternoon, urging residents to shelter in place and avoid the affected area. Emergency responders worked throughout the day to safely remove the water-reactive chemicals.
This is the third major chemical incident at the BioLab facility in the past seven years. In 2020, a similar fire exposed workers and firefighters to hazardous fumes and resulted in over $1 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
The Environmental Protection Agency has been monitoring the air quality, and authorities are advising residents to stay informed through official channels as the situation develops.
Judge rules EPA must regulate fluoride in drinking water over link to lower IQ
A federal judge has ruled the Environmental Protection Agency must strengthen its regulations on fluoride in drinking water. This comes after the Department of Health and Human Services released a report in August, showing a link between fluoride in the country’s drinking water and lower IQs in children.
The World Health Organization said the safe limit of fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 milligrams per liter, but for decades, the U.S.’ recommended upper range was 1.2mg/L. In 2015, health officials changed their recommendation to no more than 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.
While adding fluoride to drinking water is not mandated by federal law in the U.S., about 75% of the population do have fluoride added to their drinking water at the current 0.7mg/L recommendation.
HHS researchers found drinking water that has more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter can be consistently linked to lower IQs in kids. The report did not, however, specify how big an impact it has on IQ.
This new ruling is seen as a big win for advocacy groups that are against fluoridation. The judge said fluoridation poses an unreasonable risk of harm to kids strong enough to require a regulatory response by the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
What’s more, 79 of the chemicals found are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, and reproductive and endocrine issues, among other health concerns.
Researchers say most of the chemicals leeching from food packaging come from plastics. Chemicals identified in the study include BPA, PFAS and phthalates, but plastics are not the only concern.
One of the study’s authors pointed to recycled food packaging, specifically, because the recycling process allows non-food grade inks to be exposed to the food you eat.
The study’s authors also said while only 79 of the chemicals found in the human body are known to cause health issues, more of the chemicals may be harmful, but we just don’t know it yet. They also note that while food packaging products may comply with government regulations, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are completely safe.
There are ways to mitigate exposure though, like avoiding microwaving food in takeout containers because high temperatures can cause the chemicals to get into food more quickly. Scientists also say foods that are high in fat or acidity also tend to absorb more chemicals from their packaging.
Another good piece of advice given is to avoid small cramped food containers. The more cramped the container, the more contact it has with the food inside.
The study’s authors said only low levels of the metals were found in the organic and non-organic tampons they studied. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has said for decades there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Researchers did not test whether the metals were released from the tampons when used, or if they could get into the bloodstream that way — so that’s what the FDA’s investigation will focus on.
Authors of the study say up to 80% of women in the U.S. use tampons, and in a letter asking the FDA for this study, the Democratic Women’s Caucus said each woman will use about 7,400. tampons over the course of their reproductive years.
The FDA has not yet said when it expects to release its findings from this study.
Microplastics are throughout our bodies, in the brain may be the worst: Study
Recent studies show that humans consume about the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of microplastics every week. However, new research found that these pollutants are probably in every human organ, and the most impacted organ may be the human brain.
“So, most our organs seem to be hovering around 300 to 600 micrograms per gram, and that’s probably difficult to understand,” said Matthew Campen, a toxicologist and professor at the University of New Mexico who authored the study. “It’s a small drop in every organ, probably. But when we look at the brain, we see about 10 times that amount we’re talking about. An adult human brain probably has about five to 10 grams of plastic, that’s about the size of a plastic spoon.”
The study reported that 24 brain samples showed an average of .5% of microplastics accounted for their entire weight.
The findings have triggered alarm within the medical community. Researchers said 12 brain samples from dementia patients showed 10 times higher plastic weight than healthy samples. Microplastics have also been linked to cancers, heart attacks and strokes.
Scientists warn that the problem of microplastics in the human body will only get worse as more and more plastics get used in the world. Researchers have also discovered microplastics in pristine national parks and the Arctic, where there is little human contact.
According to researchers, the only way to limit them in the future is to cut people’s use of plastic, particularly single-use plastics.
Furthermore, to limit microplastics from getting into a person’s body, researchers recommend drinking water from a glass instead of a plastic bottle and to prepare food in the microwave without plastic and limit processed foods.
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have a designation for unsafe levels of microplastics or nano plastics in food. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of crafting guidelines to measure them.
The Biden administration is reportedly in discussion with the United Nations on how to reduce global production of plastic. The White House said that it is “critical to getting a handle on this problem.”
