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Energy & Environment EPA draft: Formaldehyde causes Cancer

Energy & Environment EPA draft: Formaldehyde causes Cancer

The EPA has released a draft assessment that says formaldehyde can cause cancer. A new lawsuit claims that 34 states have not followed air pollution rules.

This is Overnight Energy & EnvironmentThe latest news on energy, the environment, and beyond is available at. This newsletter was sent to you by someone who isRachel FrazinandZack Budryk of The Hill.Register here

Industrial chemical linked with neck and head cancers

Breathe in formaldehyde  a common industrial chemical  can cause multiple cancers involving the head, neck and blood, according to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft assessment released Thursday. 

The agency’s latest draft assessment found that formaldehyde exposure can cause nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which affects the head, neck, and sinuses. Sinonasal carcinoma, which involves the nasal cavity or sinuses, and myeloid cancer, which affects bone marrow, blood cells, was also reported by the agency.  

The draft goes beyond a previous agency determination that stated the substance was likely to cause cancer in humans.  

Formaldehyde can also be found in wood products and building materials, insulation, and household products such as glues, permanent presse fabrics, and paints. 

Some political backstory Thursday’s draft release follows reports that the EPA under Trump had suppressed the finding formaldehyde causes Leukemia.  

Politico reported in 2018 that top advisers to then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt were delaying the reports release as part of an effort to undermine the EPAs research on the risks posed by toxic chemicals. The agency denied that the findings were being delayed at the time.  

House subpoenaed the agency in 2019 for allegations regarding its handling of formaldehyde, and other chemicals.  

The EPA has not been the only one to declare formaldehyde in a draft carcinogenic. This finding was made in a previous version of the EPAs assessment from 2010. It was subject to review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, but was never finalized. 

What does this draft finding mean? If the finalization is completed, the finding will enable the EPA pursue more stringent control of the substance.  

I was really pleased to see the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde. Linda Birnbaum (ex-director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) told The Hill that formaldehyde is known to be a human cancerogen for many years.   

Birnbaum said that this will hopefully lead to better regulation. 

Learn more about the draft assessment.

Air pollution rule not followed by 34 states: lawsuit

Four environmental organizations filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alleging it has failed to properly enforce the Clean Air Acts Regional Haze Rule.

In 2017, the EPA modified the rule to allow states to submit plans for air pollution reduction through July 2021. However, as of April 2022, 34 states have not submitted their plans, according to the lawsuit.  

The rule requires all states to develop regional haze plans in order to prevent air pollution from affecting visibility in national parks, wildlife refugies, and other wilderness areas. The rule states that the EPA must issue a determination of failure within six months of the deadline. This would have been Jan. 31st this year.   

The suit demands that Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, immediately enforce the rule for the 34 state. The agency had earlier this month announced that it would find certain states in default of submitting their information by August 31st. However, this announcement effectively extends[ed]According to the lawsuit, the deadline was not legally binding.  

The Center for Biological Diversity is represented by the Environmental Defense Fund, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and Center for Biological Diversity.  

Learn more about their lawsuit.

US EMISSIONS ARE DOWN 11 PERCENT IN 2020

U.S. emissions of planet-warming gases dropped 11 percent in 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Thursday, largely attributing the drop to the coronavirus pandemic.  

According to the agency, the 11 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions due to fossil fuel combustion was responsible for the drop in emissions. This was in turn due to a 13 per cent decrease in transportation emissions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. 

Emissions from electricity also fell 10 per cent, according to the agency. This was due to both a slight decline in demand from the pandemic and a shift towards natural gas and renewables.  

The 2005 levels were 21 percent lower than 2005. The Obama and Biden administrations used 2005 as a reference year to set their climate goals. They pledged to reduce emissions by at least 26 percent by 2025, and 50 percent by 2030, respectively.

WHAT WE’RE READING

  • Europe Reluctantly Accepts Russian Oil Embargo (The New York Times).
  • Transphobia allegations are made against the Rights of Nature Law Clinic (E&E News).
  • Powerful ‘rivers in the sky’ could cause Antarctic Peninsula’s biggest ice shelf to collapse (CNN)
  • Climate, environment shape Gen Z life decisions (Axios)
  • EPA rejects Utah’s claim of ozone pollution from Asia (Salt Lake Tribune).

ICYMI

Finally, something a little offbeat and unorthodox:Corny.

This is it for today. Thanks for reading. For the most recent news and coverage, visit The HillsEnergy & Environment. We hope to see you again tomorrow.

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