Author: Laura

WASHINGTON – Drinking water for more than 170 million Americans in all 50 states contains radioactive elements that may increase the risk of cancer, according to an EWG investigation released today. Radiation in tap water is a serious health threat, especially during pregnancy, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s legal limits for the most widespread radioactive elements are more than 40 years old. But President Trump’s nominee to be the White House environment czar rejects the need for ...[READ MORE]

"Overall, this study informs a more directed approach to increasing compliance with drinking water quality regulations," says author Maura Allaire, UCI assistant professor of urban planning & public policy. "Identifying hot spots and vulnerability factors associated with violations can allow public policies to target underperforming water systems." Steve Zylius / UCI IRVINE, CA, FEB 26, 2018 -- While serious violations like those in the Flint, Mich., crisis are rare, ensuring reliable ...[READ MORE]

Virtually all the world's tap water is contaminated by microscopic plastic fibers, a new study claims, raising fresh concerns about the implications of rampant plastic pollution on human and planetary health. Some 83% of tap water samples collected from over a dozen countries on five continents tested positive for microplastic, according to a study commissioned by data journalism outlet Orb. The specific rate of prevalence in different locales varied, but all tested locations — from Europe to ...[READ MORE]

In a city with no water, here is a list of items required to break into a warehouse and steal 14 cases of bottled water One (1) hand saw One (1) hammer One (1) hovercraft, capable of zinging over the flooded streets of Beaumont, Texas, at 60 miles an hour. Oh, and permission from the Coca-Cola Company. Fortunately, Bill Zang recently found himself equipped with all four things. At a few minutes after 3 p.m. on Saturday he killed the hovercraft’s engines and floated toward the Coca-Cola warehouse ...[READ MORE]

Although agencies in Orange County are still focused on rescuing people, Jefferson County has turned to getting necessities to its residents. That includes a temporary fix of Beaumont’s water system. “Right now, it’s about trying to return to normal as quickly as possible,” said Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick. “We’re trying to work with federal and state officials to push the assets that are necessary to the points of distribution where people can come get ice, water, MREs, cots, ...[READ MORE]