Stay informed

This blog is adapted from an Op-Ed originally published by Environmental Health News on Nov. 23 and is authored by Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst and Maricel Maffini, consultant. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of highly persistent chemicals used in hundreds of products. Many PFAS are toxic and have been detected in the …

Lauren Ellis, Research Analyst, Environmental Health Earlier this week, EDF submitted comments to EPA on the agency’s draft scope for the manufacturer-requested risk evaluation of D4 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This is EPA’s first draft scope under the Biden Administration – providing an opportunity to see where improvements have been made and …

Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director On October 7, FDA announced that it is reinstating its ban on lead acetate as the active ingredient in hair dyes that hide grey hair when used regularly. In 1980, the agency approved the chemical for hair dyes. In response to a color additive petition from the Environmental Defense Fund …

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Lead Senior Scientist. After nearly 35 years at EDF, I am retiring this week. While I have had the privilege of working on many things in my time at EDF, for the last 20+ years my main focus has been on the Toxic Substances Control Act: making the case for why …

Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director and Maricel Maffini, consultant Over the years, we have seen a disturbing approach being taken by some dietary supplement companies to circumvent the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight. Their strategy undermines both dietary supplement safety and food safety. These companies are leveraging FDA’s decision to allow manufacturers to secretly …

Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director and Maricel Maffini, consultant The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made no apparent progress to comply with the legal requirement that it consider the cumulative effect of chemicals in the diet that have similar health impacts when evaluating the safety of an additive. A year ago, on September 23,

Richard Denison, Ph.D., is a Lead Senior Scientist. [I delivered a shorter version of these comments at the September 22, 2021 webinar titled “Hair on Fire and Yes Packages! How the Biden Administration Can Reverse the Chemical Industry’s Undue Influence,” cosponsored by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), NH Safe Water Alliance, and EDF.  A recording …

Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director; Maricel Maffini, consultant; and Tom Bruton with Green Science Policy Institute Since 2002, FDA has authorized the use of four types of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) to make plastic food packaging, one as recently as 2016. The PFAS are allowed in plastic at levels up to 2000 parts …

This week EDF experts testified as EPA holds public hearings on its historic proposed rules to reduce methane emissions from both new and existing oil and gas sources across the country.

If you follow the goings-on of the U.S. Congress, you know that the final months of the year have become a sprint to the finish line marked by bursts of legislative energy and must-pass bills. This year is even more energetic than most. Earlier this month, we saw an “Infrastructure Week” finally end in passage …

Here are some highlights from the United Nations climate summit (COP26) and why it was actually more productive than news accounts made it seem.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission affirmed support to allow the Spire STL pipeline to continue operating during the winter months.

We asked our experts on the ground at COP26 for their first impressions, and they didn't hold back. Here are our top takeaways.

EDF demands the utility Spire Missouri and its affiliate, Spire STL Pipeline, immediately halt a misleading public relations campaign.

The UN climate talks at COP26 in Glasgow finally gave us a strong Paris Agreement rulebook for international cooperation through carbon markets.

Learn how to talk to your family and friends about misinformation.

For the first time, a UN body has defined a clear and robust standard for what constitutes sustainability for a mitigation action

Methane had a major moment on the world’s stage last week at the annual United Nations climate conference when more than 100 countries pledged to reduce global methane emissions by 30% this decade. Not only that, we also saw the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency propose enhanced protections to reduce methane pollution from oil and gas …

This declaration is a hopeful sign that the two countries emitting the most greenhouse gases will continue to work together to tackle climate change

Highlight: EDF’s Maggie Monast testified at a hearing of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Strengthening the U.S. Financial System and Expanding Economic Opportunity.” Watch here. It’s becoming impossible to ignore the risks that climate change poses to financial markets, including those that support U.S. agriculture. Increased temperatures and more …

EDF filed a request with the FERC today urging the agency to issue an order on Spire STL Pipeline’s pending request for a temporary emergency certificate.

Today at COP26, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development announced the Banking for Impact on Climate in Agriculture (B4ICA) initiative in partnership with EDF, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials. Banks representing over 40% of global banking assets have already committed to aligning their portfolios with net zero …

With the Grand Canyon Protection Act, Congress has an opportunity to help safeguard a global treasure and its waters while advancing environmental justice. The post The Grand Canyon Protection Act would advance water security and environmental justice at critical time first appeared on Growing Returns.

How a farmworker’s son-turned politician is fighting “the serious crisis with Mother Earth” Working with his parents harvesting produce in the 100-degree agricultural fields of southern California, Eduardo Garcia never imagined growing up and becoming a state assemblyman. But unlikely events led to a spark to make decisions for his community—and today, Garcia is the …

EDF Statement from Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs