A long-awaited draft assessment by the EPA states that inhaling the chemical formaldehyde can cause lung cancer. A new lawsuit, however, alleges that 34 states are not following air pollution regulations.
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Industrial chemical linked with neck and head cancers
Breathe in formaldehyde a common industrial chemical Multiple cancers can be caused by it involving the head, neck and blood, according to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft assessment released Thursday.
The agency’s most recent draft assessment stated that formaldehyde inhalation can cause nasopharyngeal and sinonasal cancers, which affect the head and neck, and myeloid leukemias, which affect bone marrow as well as blood cells.
The draft is more detailed than the agency’s previous determination that the substance was a human carcinogen.
Formaldehyde is found in wood products, building materials and insulation, as well as household products such glues, permanent press fabrics, paints and other products.
Some political backstory Thursday’s draft release comes after reports that EPA under the previous Trump administration had suppressed evidence that formaldehyde causes blood cancer.
Politico 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 at the time that the findings were being held back.
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? The EPA is expected to take more stringent measures against the substance if the Thursday finding is finalized.
I am really happy to see this IRIS assessment of formaldehyde. Linda Birnbaum, former director of The Hill’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, said that formaldehyde has been known as a human carcinogen for many years.
Birnbaum said that this will hopefully lead to better regulation.
You can read more about the draft assessment by clicking here.
Air pollution rule not followed by 34 states: lawsuit
Four environmental organizations Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was sued., claiming it has not properly enforced the Clean Air Acts Regional Haze Rule.
In 2017, the EPA amended the rule, extending the time frame in which states can submit plans to reduce air pollution up to July 2021. However, as of April 2022, 34 states have not submitted their plans, according to the lawsuit.
All states are required by the rule to develop regional plans to reduce air pollution that causes visibility problems in national parks, wildlife refuges, and other wilderness areas. The rule’s text states that the EPA must issue a decision on failure to submit states within six months. That deadline would have been Jan. 31 this year.
The suit asks for Michael Regan, EPA Administrator to immediately enforce the rule in all 34 states. The agency announced earlier this month that it will find failure to submit certain states by August 31st. This announcement extends however[ed]According to the lawsuit, the deadline was not legally enforceable.
The Center for Biological Diversity is represented by the Environmental Defense Fund, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, and Center for Biological Diversity.
Find out more about the 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 due to a 13 percent drop in transportation emissions, which was mainly caused by decreased demand from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency stated that 10 percent of electric power emission fell due to both a slightly lower demand and a shift from coal toward 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
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Europe Reluctantly Accepts Russian Oil EmbargoThe New York Times)
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Transphobia allegations are made against the Rights of Nature Law Clinic.E&E News)
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Powerful ‘rivers in the sky’ could cause Antarctic Peninsula’s biggest ice shelf to collapse (CNN)
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Climate, environment shape Gen Z life decisions (Axios)
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EPA denies Utah’s claim of ozone pollution from Asia (Salt Lake Tribune)
ICYMI
Finally, something a little offbeat and unorthodox: Corny.
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