Latest News
A new study links indoor insecticides to childhood cancers. -
A review of 16 studies found that exposure to pesticides in the home—professional pest control, flea foggers, cockroach sprays, etc.—was associated with a 47 percent increased risk of childhood leukemia and a 43 percent increased risk for childhood lymphomas. New York Times
An otter in Seattle is being treated for asthma after inhaling wildfire smoke. -
People aren't the only ones dealing with the health effects of this year's big burns—Mishka, a year-old otter living at the Seattle Aquarium, was exposed to aggravating smoke that drifted into the city from nearby blazes. His trainer is teaching him how to use an inhaler, and the little guy seems to be doing fine. NPR
Tourists in Costa Rica harass nesting olive ridley sea turtles. -
A flooded Nosara River typically makes Ostional Beach inaccessible to people during the nesting season, but this year, El Niño dried up the river and cleared the way. Thousands of tourists crowded onshore to watch (and take selfies with...and ride) the turtles, which sadly (and unsurprisingly) scared the vulnerable reptiles right back into the sea. New York Times
If one of my kids came home with a report card like this, I'd be a bit disappointed.
—Steven Miles, the environment minister of Queensland, Australia, commenting on the poor grades received by the effort (which is now stalled) to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef
Drought-parched Southern California may buy water from Nevada. -
A $45 million agreement would let SoCal take 150,000 acre-feet of its neighbor's surplus water this year. The deal would also allow Nevada to buy back the H2O in the future—though the Golden State's dry spell is probably far from over. Reuters
The EPA orders Volkswagen to recall 500,000 cars that evade pollution standards. -
The agency says the vehicles contain a "defeat device," which is software that kicks in during official emissions testing to make "das auto" appear less polluting than it actually is. New York Times