High Levels of Benzene Found in E-Cigarettes An electronic cigarette or more commonly known as an “e-cigarette” is a device that vaporizes a flavored liquid typically made up of nicotine, glycerine, and propylene glycol. The fluid inside this pen-looking device is heated, creating vapor. Vapor is inhaled rather than smoke and many use the term […]
New EPA Proposal Requires Gas Plants to Publicly Report Toxic Emissions
New EPA Proposal Requires Gas Plants to Publicly Report Toxic Emissions The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a proposal concerning the documentation of toxic chemicals produced by natural gas drilling. Until now, natural gas processing plants did not need to publicly report toxic chemicals that are released into the environment, leaving nearby communities unaware of […]
What to Know About Benzene Exposure at the Workplace
What to Know About Benzene Exposure at the Workplace What Is Benzene? Benzene, also known as benzol, is a colorless flammable liquid created as a by-product during the coal manufacturing process. It can be detected by a sweet odor, but should never be inhaled deliberately. Benzene is commonly used as a motor fuel or as […]
Revised Toxic Chemical Restrictions Could Triple the Amount of Benzene in Florida Waters
Revised Toxic Chemical Restrictions Could Triple the Amount of Benzene in Florida Waters The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing looser restrictions when it comes to determining what toxic chemicals can be disposed of in their waters, and how much. If the proposal is approved, exposure for some chemicals, such as benzene, could […]
Dangerous loophole found in fracking practice
Dangerous loophole found in fracking practice Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is closely monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce the strictest safety codes. Unfortunately, sometimes these regulations have loopholes. Fracking involves injecting a chemical cocktail into the ground at high-pressure rates to release hydrocarbons from the shale below. The mixture varies in its composition, with a […]
New side effect discovered in controversial fracking practice
New side effect discovered in controversial fracking practice Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, isn’t without notoriety. The practice is riddled with objections and complaints from those affected. Communities near wells experience chemical exposures and contaminated water supplies, among other risks. Amidst all the negative publicity, a new threat emerged following a study by the National Institute […]
Apple finally ends benzene use in factories
Apple finally ends benzene use in factories After months of petitions and investigations, Apple decided to pull the use of benzene from its production. Attention to the issue first came this March when groups began protesting after reports of Chinese workers falling ill. Many companies, including Samsung and Apple, use benzene in production of their products and in […]
Texas communities fight back against benzene emissions
Texas communities fight back against benzene emissions Oil refineries bring economic growth to the areas they inhabit, but residents question whether the boom is worth the price. For those living along the 54-mile stretch of coast between Galveston and Houston, the health risks currently outshine the benefits. This area is lined with city-like refineries and […]
PA fracking damaged water supplies more than 200 times in six years
PA fracking damaged water supplies more than 200 times in six years After years of withholding information, the Department of Environmental Protection released a spreadsheet outlining where oil and gas negatively affected water supplies in Pennsylvania communities. The damaged supplies mark a small percentage compared to the amount of oil and gas wells drilled since […]
Groups ask Apple to end benzene use in production
Groups ask Apple to end benzene use in production Some of our favorite products are created with chemicals harmful to the workers in production. Apple and Samsung, two major providers of smart phones, use a known carcinogen in their factories and 80 human rights and environmental groups from 27 countries say it’s time to stop. The […]