Just Label It News Roundup 11-30

This past month California faced some of their worst fires in history. Sadly, as fires clogged the air in Southern California, many farmworkers continued to work, despite public-school students and others were told to stay home and indoors. Also, in California, a judge granted an expedited trial in the case of a California couple suffering from cancer who sued Bayer AG’s Monsanto, alleging the company’s glyphosate-containing weed killer Roundup was the cause of their ailments. Plans to use genetically modified mosquitoes to rid the world of diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and zika have faltered after officials admitted that a major pilot had not worked. One of Trump’s top EPA officials, Onis Glenn, was just indicted on state ethics charges, as well as for taking part in an effort to block the cleanup of a polluted Alabama neighborhood. Rural America is suffering from its own water crisis with polluted water too dangerous to drink. The water problem stems from the misuse of nitrate, a common farming byproduct from manure spreading, is being linked to an array of serious health effects. A new Environmental Working Group report found that nearly 500 water utilities across the Texas found atrazine— a weed killer — in their supply, which can lead to harmful health effects. EWG also found that utilities are testing water during times when the herbicide isn’t being used as much — and that they may be misrepresenting the results. Leading toxics experts released a scientific paper in the journal PLOS Medicine warning of the dangers widely-used agricultural pesticides pose to children’s health and development. The authors found that exposure to organophosphate pesticides, even at low levels previously considered safe, can lead to cognitive problems in children – such as reduced IQ, developmental delays and increased risk of learning disabilities. Also in the news, Europeans in 118 civil society organizations and 25 experts join forces to call for higher level of protection from pesticides. A proposed rule from EPA head nominee Andrew Wheeler would free large animal feedlots from having to report potentially toxic air emissions from animal waste.

GM mosquito pilot abandoned as officials admit it did not work

Plans to use genetically modified mosquitoes to rid the world of diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and zika have faltered after officials admitted that a major pilot had not worked.

California judge orders next Monsanto weed-killer cancer trial for March

A California judge granted an expedited trial in the case of a California couple suffering from cancer who sued Bayer AG’s Monsanto unit, alleging the company’s glyphosate-containing weed killer Roundup caused their disease.

One of Trump’s Top EPA Officials Was Just Indicted on State Ethics Charges

Onis Glenn is accused of taking part in an effort to block the cleanup of a polluted Alabama neighborhood.

Arkansas Plant Board votes for usage of dicamba

The state Plant Board gave tentative approval Monday to allowing dicamba for in-crop use next year, though the matter won’t be settled for several more weeks.

Rural America’s Own Private Flint: Polluted Water Too Dangerous to Drink

Nitrates, a common farming byproduct from manure spreading, have been linked to an array of serious health risks.

New Scientific Paper: Broad Class of Pesticides Puts Children at Risk for Reduced IQ, Learning Disabilities

Today, leading toxics experts released a scientific paper in the journal PLOS Medicine warning of the dangers widely-used agricultural pesticides pose to children’s health and development. The authors found that exposure to organophosphate pesticides, even at low levels previously considered safe, can lead to cognitive problems in children, like reduced IQ, developmental delays and increased risk of learning disabilities.

Europeans join forces to call for higher level of protection from pesticides

The current pesticide authorization system is not fit for purpose, say 118 civil society organizations and 25 experts.

A New EPA Rule Would Allow Factory Farms to Avoid Reporting Air Pollution

A proposed rule from acting EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler would free large animal feedlots from having to report potentially toxic air emissions from animal waste.

Report: Toxic herbicide found in many Texans’ drinking water

Nearly 500 water utilities across the state tested positive for atrazine — a weed killer — which can lead to harmful health effects, according to a new report. The Environmental Working Group also found that utilities are testing water during times when the herbicide isn’t being used as much — and that they may be lowballing the results.

AS WILDFIRE SMOKE FILLS THE AIR, FARMWORKERS CONTINUE TO LABOR IN THE FIELDS

As fires clogged the air in Southern California, farmworkers continued to work, even as public-school students and others were told to stay home and indoors.