Mar 4, 2010

Atrazine, one of the world’s most widely used pesticides to kill pests on U.S. croplands (especially corn) is an endocrine disruptor—a substance that interferes with animals' reproductive systems.  A study  released A new set of observations released March 3, 2010  in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences  found that male frogs exposed to Atrazine have lower testosterone levels, produce less sperm, and even change their mating habits by choosing males over females, essentially emasculating three-quarters of them and turning one in 10 into females. More and more research is showing that Atrazine interferes with endocrine hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone - in fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, laboratory rodents and even human cell lines at levels of parts per billion. Recent studies also found a possible link between human birth defects and low birth weight and Atrazine exposure in the womb.

As a result of these studies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing its regulations on use of the pesticide. Several states are considering banning Atrazine, and six class action lawsuits have been filed seeking to eliminate its use.  However, the EPA estimates the loss of Atrazine would cost corn growers $28 an acre in lost yields and substitutes, and the total negative impact on corn, sorghum and sugar cane growers in the U.S. would exceed $2 billion per year.  

Syngenta Crop (the manufacturer of Atrazine) refuted the study claiming the Atrazine study was biased.  Mr. Tyrone B. Hayes, Professor of Integrated Biology at UC Berkley, stated it best “… what people have to realize is that…. they have to decide whether the benefits outweigh the costs”.  Attached are links to both articles, as well as a map showing drinking water wells with reportedly elevated levels of Atrazine. 

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Pesticide_Atrazine_Can_Turn_Male_Frogs_Into_Females_999.html

http://www.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=202604&type_news=past

http://www.nrdc.org/health/atrazine/default.asp

Mar 3, 2010

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are acting to remove Endangered Species Act protection from Arizona's desert nesting bald eagles.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the persistence in the ecosystem.

of the Sonoran Desert Area is not important to the species as a whole.  Dr. Robin Silver with the Center for Biological Diversity disagrees, believing that “if the decision stands, it will be a death sentence for our desert nesting bald eagles”.  The desert nesting bald eagle is an icon of the Southwest’s desert rivers.  The Center for Biological Diversity reports that only about 50 breeding pairs survive. The population is reproductively, geographically, biologically, and behaviorally distinct from all other bald eagle populations, since no other bald eagle population occupies habitat so hot and dry — an adaptation that’s critically important as global warming becomes increasingly problematic for species survival. No other population of bald eagles will move in if this population disappears, and that will result in a significant gap in the overall bald-eagle range.  The full article is listed below.  Find out ways to support this cause through www.biologicaldiversity.org

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2010/desert-nesting-bald-eagle-02-24-2010.html

Get free endangered species ringtones here:

http://www.rareearthtones.org/ringtones/sendringtone2.html

Mar 2, 2010
The USGS published a great video explaining the movement of contaminates in groundwater and how the contaminates enter public drinking water wells.  Your public water supplier is required to report the contaminants in public drinking water.  Most public water supply companies post this information on their website as part of the disclosure requirements. Please email us at todaysstory@hustonenvironmental.com if you would like additional information regarding your drinking water. 

Mar 1, 2010

Walmart announced a goal to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015. (This is the equivalent of taking more than 3.8 million cars off the road for a year).  Walmart collaborated with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to develop an approach that looks at Walmart's supply chain on a global scale.  Walmart’s bold move will help companies identify steps to slash pollution and costs around the world.   Walmart is  the most influential retail store in the world.   Walmart's efforts will affect business practices throughout the world.   Thank you Walmart for (finally) acknowledging the impact on the global environment.

http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/9668.aspx

Feb 25, 2010
It is with much sadness that I am attaching Director Odle's retirement announcement.  Mr. Odle assumed the Director of Maricopa County Air Quality position in October 2008.   Since assuming the Director position, Mr. Odle has made huge strides in stirring the agency in the correct direction.  A direction that is fundamental to meet the EPA federal mandates for the State and the County PM-10 and Ozone standards.  Director Odle identified two goals that would address the federal mandates most quickly with the aim on the prize, compliance with the EPA air quality standards.  The first goal was to reduce the number of days the air quality levels exceeded the federal health standard; and two, to improve customer service.  While faced with severe budget cuts and staff reduction, Director Odle still was able to stay focused on these goals and they were necessary steps to meet EPA standards.  With Director Odle as head of the agency, the agency was finally headed in the right direction.  With the exception of a few areas, the number of days exceeding the standard are deceasing.  The County purchased a mobile air monitoring van to be able to identify localized areas exceeding the standard.   The identification of localized problem areas is key to get to the goal; to meet the EPA air quality standard.  Director Odle understood this could only be accomplished by identification of the problem areas.  More public information is now available for monitoring locations with testing results, all through the county website.  Even with deep budget cuts and large reduction in staff, the agency is moving forward in meeting the EPA requirement to reduce backlog of permitting and enforcement cases.  The County hired an Ombudsman, Mr. Dennis Dickerson, who serves as mediator for the public and the agency.  Mr. Dickerson has been an asset to communicating internally and externally regulations, stepping up the public involvement process.  The administration understands without the cooperation of Maricopa County residents and business, we can not meet the EPA standards, which is not an alternative for health and economic reasons for the County and the State. 

Director Odle announced to his staff on Tuesday his notice of retirement in a heartfelt letter that transmitted without doubt his personal investment in his job, the value of the air quality staff, and his regrets that he was unable to stay to see the products of his direction through to its final accomplish, reaching attainment.  We wish you well Director Odle as you move forward with your greatest challenge to date, caretaker for a loved one.  Farewell my friend, you will be missed.

See the link below to Director Odle's press release.

 http://www.maricopa.gov/pr_detail.aspx?releaseID=1367

Feb 22, 2010

In honor of the winter Olympics, I have linked to two articles today.  One article discusses the environmental assessments and considerations for development of Cypress Mountain for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  The second article is regarding environmental impacts to development of Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics.  Two drastically different countries; two drastically different environmental policies.  Agree or disagree with the politics, I believe we call all agree, these are two breathtaking beautiful climates we don't want to risk losing.  Follow the links below for the full stories:

http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/sustainability/reports-and-resources/environmental-assessment/cypress-mountain-/

Feb 19, 2010 The key to a sustainable nuclear energy future may be Thorium, a lustrous silvery-white metal that's only slightly radioactive. The current administration is offering grants for construction of nuclear power plants using uranium, a radioactive substance.  There is an alternative being researched in France, India, China, and at Kurchatov Institute, the "Los Alamos" of Russia.  Follow the link before for the full story:

Feb 18, 2010  In July 1984, benzene was identified in a drinking water near the base's fuel farm.  Benzene concentrations were reported at 380 parts per billion (ppb).  [The EPA standard for benzene in drinking water is 5 ppb].  Recently disclosed studies indicate a 1984 report indicated the level was 38 ppb.  A 1994 report made no mention of the benzene. Sample from a series of tests conducted from June 2007 to August 2009 found benzene concentrations in the well at 3,490 ppb. Follow the link below for the full story:

Feb 17, 2010  President Obama announced Tuesday (Feb 16, 2010) over $8 billion in federal loan support for construction of two nuclear power plants about 170 miles outside Atlanta, Georgia.  It's been more than three decades since a new nuclear power plant was constructed in the USA.  Follow the link below for the full story.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/16/news/economy/nuclear/index.htm?section=money_latest

Feb 2, 2010  The Obama Administration releases the 2011 fiscal year budget.  The budget proposes to increase to $54.5 billion, from $18.5 billion currently allotted, the amount of federal loan guarantees that can be accessed by companies planning to build new nuclear power plants. State funding for environmental programs will be cut. Follow the link below for the full story.

Feb 1, 2010 President Obama singled out nuclear power in his State of the Union address, "building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country.".  His spending plan for the next budget year is expected to include billions of more dollars in federal guarantees for new plants. The plants are expected to be completed by 2050.  The 104 nuclear reactors in the US provide only 20 percent of the nation's electricity. but provide 70 percent of the power from pollution-free sources. Follow the link below for the full story.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35169512/ns/us_news-environment/

Jan 29, 2010  Obama pledges $8 billion to fund high speed rail.  The economic impacts from creation of jobs are obvious.  Anyone that’s been to Europe understands the convenience of travel by rail.  Environmentally this is HUGE for the U.S. in terms of reducing fossil fuel reliance and greenhouse gases emissions.  Follow the link for a map of the project.

Jan 27, 2010 A renewable-energy "oasis" slated to be built in 2010 may serve as a proving ground for new technologies designed to bring green living to the desert. Read the full article on the attached National Geographic website link.

Jan 25, 2010  An estimated 462,000 gallons of oil was spilled in a Texas harbor after a tanker and tow boat collides on Saturday.  Read the full article on the attached MSNBC link.

 Jan 21, 2010. Obama's One-Year Environmental Grades Range From 'B+' to 'C-'.  Posted on Environmental News Source website:

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2010/2010-01-20-091.html

 Jan 20, 2010.  Mercury is used in a wide variety of household products, including paint, thermometers, thermostats, batteries, fluorescent lamps, disinfectants, antiseptics, diuretics and preservatives. Proper care is important when dealing with mercury-containing products. If spilled, mercury absorbs into materials while slowly evaporating into the air over time, allowing for exposure. When mercury spills in a school or in a home, there are several possible outcomes-none of them pleasant. The health of children or students can be endangered. You may believe that the occasional broken thermometer in science class or student handling of elemental mercury are essentially harmless--but think again in light of the above concerns, which have plagued many schools. Mercury spills at students' homes can also be serious and what gets spilled at home may be brought to school, either knowingly or unknowingly. The Mercury in Schools website is a must for any parent, teacher, school administrator, or anyone who may be exposed to a mercury-containing product. 

http://www.mercuryinschools.uwex.edu/act/spill_manage.htm

Jan 19, 2010.  Today's Story is about Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water. The attached article is published at APP.com from an Associated Press Article dated December 22, 2209.  According to the article the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recent weeks announced an expanded government effort to deal with pharmaceuticals as environmental pollutants.  The  EPA is conducting a study of 50 water plants that treat drinking water.  Included in the study are 200 chemical and microbial contaminants, of which 125 are pharmaceuticals or related chemicals. Results of the study will assist federal water officials in determining if regulations are needed.

We are sorry.  This article is no longer available.

Jan 18, 2010. Today's Story is about Federal funding for light rail.  This article was published in Portland: however, it may or may not be beneficial to any light rail/streetcar projects in your city.  Apparently, new legislation will "speed up" funding IF the project can show improved transportation, revive local economies, and reduce global warming pollution.  Developing the light rail system has been a major source of work (and therefore income) for many cities the last several years.

Mar 5, 2010

A great news story was posted today by ABC News.  A beautiful bald eagle entangled in a rope just outside Seattle, Washington was calmed and eventually released by an "eagle whisperer".  Yoga Vashitwan (aka eagle whispering) is an ancient practice and is demonstrated brilliantly by Lar Caughlan at the San Fransisco Zoo in the 1970s.  Take a moment to watch this inspiring You Tube video of Mr. Laughlan at work.  Thank you bluehawkprod for your post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvWEAsaD_jg

Mar 8, 2010  Another earthquake reported today, this one in the country of Turkey.  Today's posted article is a US Geological Survey (USGS) publication about Plate Tectonics.  Take a couple minutes and learn the root cause of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.