A trio of environmental stories caught our attention the past week.
EWG report on nitrates in drinking water
A national group summoned up its own report on Friday:
A new EWG analysis found that half a million Minnesotans drink tap water contaminated with elevated levels of nitrate from agricultural pollution. The innovative report mapped the locations and levels for nitrate in Minnesota’s public water systems and private household wells.
“Many years of unaddressed nitrate from farm pollution have brought Minnesota to the brink of a public health crisis,” said Sarah Porter, senior GIS analyst with EWG and one of the report’s authors. “Now Minnesotans are paying for the state’s failure to hold farmers accountable for not keeping fertilizer and manure out of the water supply.
The group's news digest on Nitrate in Minnesota Tap Water:
Associated Press: Minnesotans are drinking water contaminated by nitrate
In a report released Tuesday morning by the Environmental Working Group, it was found that one in eight Minnesotans are drinking nitrate-tainted tap water, according to the Star Tribune. Reprinted by Idaho Statesman; U.S. News & World Report; News-Times (Danbury, Conn.); Laredo Morning Times (Texas); Westport News (Conn.); 22 other media outlets
Star Tribune (Minneapolis): One in eight Minnesotans drink nitrate-tainted tap water, report says
Years of unchecked pollution from farm chemicals have brought Minnesota “to the brink of a public health crisis,” according to the Environmental Working Group, which based its findings on public records from the state Department of Health and Department of Agriculture.
Fern’s AG Insider: In Minnesota, study finds drinking water tainted with nitrates
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesota residents are drinking water contaminated with elevated levels of nitrates, according to a new analysis from the Environmental Working Group.
InForum News Service: Report: Thousands of Minnesotans are drinking water contaminated by nitrate
But because drinking tap water with even small amounts of nitrate in it may be a risk factor for cancer and birth defects, the Environmental Working Group called in its report for an "aggressive policy and programmatic approach" to address the situation in Minnesota. Reprinted by West Central Tribune (Willmar, Minn.); Brainerd Dispatch (Minn.); Duluth News-Tribune (Minn.); Post Bulletin (Rochester, Minn.); Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Minn.)
InForum New Service: Minnesota Agriculture Department releases fertilizer restriction map
A report released Tuesday by the Environmental Working Group, an environmentalist nonprofit, found that thousands of Minnesotans are drinking from water sources contaminated with potentially unsafe levels of nitrate. Reprinted by West Central Tribune (Willmar, Miss.); Brainerd Dispatch (Minn.); Duluth News-Tribune (Minn.); Grand Forks Herald (N.D.); Post Bulletin (Rochester, Minn.)
The Mankato Free Press: Farm fertilizer restrictions come as nitrate problems rise
The new regulations come as the Environmental Working Group released a report this month saying an estimated half a million Minnesotans — or one in eight residents — draw from groundwater contaminated with elevated levels of nitrate, a toxic pollutant that is linked to cancer and is especially dangerous for infants, causing “blue baby syndrome.” Reprinted by The Land (Mankato, Minn.)
In a new review of state data, the Environmental Working Group found almost 300,000 Minnesotans drink water from public systems where nitrate was found at above 5 milligrams per liter. Another 150,000 people drink water from public systems that tested at or above the federal limit.
Pesticide industry's toxic beewash
In The Intercept, Lee Fang reports in The Playbook for Poisoning the Earth:
. . .In 2013, the European Union called for a temporary suspension of the most commonly used neonicotinoid-based products on flowering plants, citing the danger posed to bees — an effort that resulted in a permanent ban in 2018.
In the U.S., however, industry dug in, seeking not only to discredit the research but to cast pesticide companies as a solution to the problem. Lobbying documents and emails, many of which were obtained through open records requests, show a sophisticated effort over the last decade by the pesticide industry to obstruct any effort to restrict the use of neonicotinoids. Bayer and Syngenta, the largest manufacturers of neonics, and Monsanto, one of the leading producers of seeds pretreated with neonics, cultivated ties with prominent academics, including vanEngelsdorp, and other scientists who had once called for a greater focus on the threat posed by pesticides.
The companies also sought influence with beekeepers and regulators, and went to great lengths to shape public opinion. Pesticide firms launched new coalitions and seeded foundations with cash to focus on nonpesticide factors in pollinator decline.
“Position the industry as an active promoter of bee health, and advance best management practices which emphasize bee safety,” noted an internal planning memo from CropLife America, the lobby group for the largest pesticide companies in America, including Bayer and Syngenta. The ultimate goal of the bee health project, the document noted, was to ensure that member companies maintained market access for neonic products and other systemic pesticides. . ..
Bayer’s advocacy, designed to position the firm as a leader in protecting bee health, included a roadshow around the country, in which Bayer officials handed out oversized ceremonial checks to local beekeepers and students. The firm hosts splashy websites touting its leadership in promoting bee health and sponsors a number of beekeeping associations.
Meanwhile, Bayer has financed a series of online advertisements that depict individuals who fear that its pesticide products harm nontarget insects as deranged conspiracy theorists.
Read the rest at The Intercept.
PFAS in creeks
At Minnesota Public Radio, Kirsti Marohn reported in Foam with ‘forever chemicals’ found in two Twin Cities streams:
State researchers have found foam containing elevated levels of PFAS, sometimes known as “forever chemicals,” in two streams in the east Twin Cities metro area.
Officials from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health said that there's no immediate health threat to the public. But they are cautioning people to keep away from the foam and take precautions if they — or their pets — come into contact with it.
The foam was found in Raleigh Creek in Washington County and Battle Creek in Ramsey County. Researchers made the discoveries while testing surface waters last year.
PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a broad class of man-made chemicals known for their durability and ability to repel water and grease. Their tendency not to break down made them useful for consumer products ranging from Teflon pans to Scotchgard fabric protectors.
Maplewood-based 3M produced two PFAS compounds in the eastern Twin Cities for decades, beginning in the 1950s. Waste containing PFAS chemicals was legally disposed of in landfills in the eastern metro area, where the chemicals leached into the groundwater, and contaminated the drinking water supplies of several communities.
The state of Minnesota sued 3M over its role in the contamination. In 2018, 3M agreed to pay $850 million to provide clean drinking water to the affected communities and clean up natural resources.
At a news briefing on Monday in St. Paul, MPCA assistant commissioner Kirk Koudelka said four instances of PFAS foam were found along Raleigh Creek in Oakdale and in the city of Lake Elmo. The stream was already known to contain PFAS, but the foam the MPCA found has a higher concentration of the chemicals than the stream itself, he said. . . .
Read the rest at MPR. EWG looks at national coverage of an effort to do something about these "forever chemical." It's quite an extensive roundup:
H.R. 535: The PFAS Action Act
PBS News Hour: The House just voted to regulate PFAS. Here’s what you need to know
A 2018 report from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group found that more than 100 million Americans may have PFAS in their drinking water. Reprinted by Democratic Underground
ABC News: House passes bill to force EPA regulation of ‘forever chemicals’ linked to health concerns
The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group that pushes to limit exposure to chemicals, has found that water data shows as many as 16 million Americans could be exposed through their drinking water to levels of these chemicals that are well above the EPA's recommended health limit. Reprinted by Yahoo!; News Channel Nebraska; WFIN (Findlay, Ohio); Cenla Broadcasting (Alexandria, La.); KTBB (Tyler, Texas); 16 other media outlets
Star Tribune (Minneapolis): U.S. House passes bill to address PFAS; unclear if Senate will act
More than 100 million Americans in 1,400 communities have been exposed to PFAS-tainted drinking water, according to a database run by Northeastern University’s Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute and the Environmental Working Group. Reprinted by The Fresno Bee (Calif.); Sun Herald (Gulfport, Miss.); Bradenton Herald (Fla.); Belleville News-Democrat (Ill.); Lompac Record (Santa Maria, Calif.); La Crosse Tribune (Wis.); 30+ other media outlets
According to Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS contamination affects over 600 sites in 43 states, including public water systems.
The Fayetteville Observer (N.C.): U.S. House passes GenX/’Forever Chemical’ water contamination bill
More than 100 million Americans in 1,400 communities have been exposed to PFAS-tainted drinking water, according to a database run by Northeastern University’s Social Science Health Research Institute and the Environmental Working Group.
As many as 100 million Americans could have drinking water affected by the chemicals, which are also known as PFAS, the Environmental Working Group estimates.
Military Times: House bill would require Pentagon to support PFAS cleanup in communities
Scott Faber, senior vice president of governmental affairs for the Environmental Working Group, the advocacy organization pushing for stricter controls over PFAS chemicals and environmental cleanup, said last week the EPA’s efforts to address PFAS contamination are decades late. Reprinted by 10z US Politics
News-Herald (Southgate, Mich.): Debbie Dingell delivers weekly Democratic address
According to the Environmental Working Group, forever chemicals have been detected in more than 1,400 communities, across 49 states, including near 400 military installations. Reprinted by Press & Guide (Southgate, Mich.)
The Oklahoman: House passes bill to curb chemicals found in some Oklahoma water
The Environmental Working Group, using Defense Department documents, found that drinking water supplies at the Midwest City Readiness Center and Camp Gruber, near Muskogee, had been contaminated with PFAS.
Nearly 300 military sites across the county, including the former Willow Grove air base in the Philadelphia suburbs, have PFAS contamination and as many as 110 million Americans are drinking PFAS-contaminated water, she said, citing Environmental Working Group data. Reprinted by Florida Phoenix; The Colorado Independent
According to the Environmental Working Group, 297 military sites across the United States have PFAS contamination and as many as 110 million Americans are drinking PFAS contaminated water.
News 22 WWLP (Chicopee, Mass.): House passes bill addressing PFAS contamination in drinking water
Over 100 million people are estimated to have drinking water contaminated by PFAS according to the Environmental Working Group.
A bit of light reading for the cold end of the latest upper midwest snowstorm.
Photo: Blue baby syndrome. Via Baby Health.
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