The Trump Administration plans to fire more than 1,000 scientists in the EPA’s research arm. The layoffs are part of a “reduction in force” that comes after the agency already fired hundreds of probationary workers. (A federal judge has since ordered that these employees be reinstated, and though the administration has complied, most of the workers have been placed on administrative leave.)
EPA
404: Air Quality Data from U.S. Embassies Removed
On 4 March, AirNow, the home of the U.S. Air Quality Index, shut down its webpage that reported data from air quality monitors at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Eos learned of the removal of these data from Dan Westervelt, a climate change and pollution scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York.
Unregulated Industrial Contaminants Detected in Some U.S. Drinking Water
Communities of color are more likely to have higher levels of these contaminants in their drinking water.
EPA Air Monitoring Network Misses 2.8 Million Americans in Pollution Hot Spots
Current EPA air monitoring may not capture the extent of particulate air pollution.
More Than Half of Contiguous U.S. River Water Comes from Ephemeral Streams
The finding has potential implications for water regulations, which don’t currently cover these seasonal streams.
Toxic Ethylene Oxide May Exceed Safe Levels in Cancer Alley
Concentrations of the cancer-causing chemical far surpass EPA threshold levels for safety in southeastern Louisiana.
The Supreme Court Is Bypassing Science—We Can’t Ignore It
The court’s exclusion of scientists from the environmental rulemaking process comes full circle as the EPA strips federal protections for wetlands.
EPA Air Pollution Proposal Stirs Debate
The agency’s proposal to tighten standards for small-particulate pollution has prompted opposing calls for tighter and looser regulations.
Hazardous Air Pollutants Found in Cooking Stove Gas
A Boston study revealed that natural gas piped into homes contained 21 toxins on the EPA’s hazardous air pollutant list.
Cuantificando los beneficios para la salud de una transición a energías limpias en EE. UU.
Eliminar la contaminación del aire relacionada con la energía en los Estados Unidos podría evitar aproximadamente 50,000 muertes prematuras y ahorrar miles de millones de dólares al año.