September 12, 2025
Human Health
Human Health
Houston leads major U.S. cities in poverty, with 21.2% of residents—over 500,000 people—living below the federal threshold...
As EPA considers cancer links to nitrates in drinking water, industry downplays the risks
Summary
The EPA is reassessing the health risks of nitrates in drinking water, with growing concerns that exposure could increase cancer risk. Nitrates, commonly leached from fertilizers and manure, have long been linked to infant health issues like blue baby syndrome, but new studies suggest they may also contribute to higher rates of stomach and colorectal cancer. Environmental groups argue that current federal limits, set over 30 years ago, are outdated and insufficient to protect public health. Meanwhile, industry groups are pushing back, funding research to downplay risks and arguing that stricter nitrate regulations would be costly. The Trump administration’s return has raised fears that the review process may be delayed or derailed, as past efforts to tighten regulations were stalled. Public health advocates stress the urgency of stronger nitrate controls, citing increasing contamination in farming states like Iowa and Wisconsin.
September 2, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
After 26 years at EPA, environmental justice pioneer Charles Lee retires and joins Howard University’s Environmental and Climate Justice Center, arguing that despite Trump...
August 29, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Two decades after Hurricane Katrina, overlooked survivors are reclaiming their narratives through TikTok, challenging long-standing portrayals from 2005.
August 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Sierra Club fired Executive Director Ben Jealous after no-confidence votes, budget cuts, layoffs, and misconduct concerns. Union leaders welcomed his departure...
August 11, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
U.S. clean hydrogen projects are collapsing amid shortened tax credit deadlines, rising energy costs, and policy shifts, leaving most proposals ineligible and investors...
August 5, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice
A coalition of nonprofits, tribes, and local governments filed a class-action lawsuit against the EPA, demanding reinstatement of a $3bn climate justice grant program halted...
August 3, 2025
Climate
Climate
The Trump administration’s move to revoke the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases marks a major policy reversal, undermining decades of climate protections...
July 25, 2025
Climate
Climate
Ben Jealous was placed on leave by the Sierra Club amid widespread internal dissent over his leadership, with staff citing failed vision, contentious layoffs...
July 24, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice
The UN's International Court of Justice declared climate change a human rights issue, advising that nations must act or risk reparations, influencing global litigation...
July 23, 2025
Education
Education
The Trump administration has targeted over 4,000 federal grants worth up to $8.2 billion for termination across 600+ U.S. colleges, disproportionately affecting public...
July 23, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The USDA under the Trump administration has eliminated the term “socially disadvantaged” from its policies, ending race- and gender-based support programs for minority farmers...
July 17, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation
President Trump's elimination of federal DEI programs has halted essential USDA funding to East Texas Black farmers, further endangering their livelihoods amid decades...
July 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Residents in the Shiloh Community have fought for years to remedy excessive storm water runoff caused by an elevated highway. Now they’re suing.
July 9, 2025
Climate
Climate
Amid devastating Texas floods, FEMA’s delayed response raises concerns as President Trump pushes to dismantle the agency, shifting disaster management costs...
July 2, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty against ExxonMobil for over 16,000 Clean Air Act violations at its Baytown plant...