Science News - More Evidence of the Dangers from BPA's

Science News; Science & The Public, reports on a follow up of BPA's, and how they affect human health. January 12, 2010 By Rachel Ehrenberg, Web Edition.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/53958/title/Study_supports_connection_between_BPA_and_heart_disease

This Science News article is further evidence that BPA's, are known to harm humans. For the past decade, many reports have come out linking BPA's to harming infants from the plastic bottles are made of, to as Ms. Ehrenberg notes a substance that is a presence on cash register receipts. But it has always been presented as safe.

The State of California has a stringent regulation and enforcement environmental policy. Here are some documents have produced links of harming human health:
In male genes. http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/public_meetings/pdf/BPAstaff071509c.pdf
In fetuses: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/public_meetings/pdf/WoodruffBPA0709.pdf
In baby bottles, children's toys...http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/environmental-health/stop-toxic-toys/bisphenol-a-overview%20

As usual Senators and Representatives are pressured to make sure environmental laws and regulation, does not hinder the huge profits taken in for the very products that have possibly altered the genetic make-up of humans, fish, and plant-life. This shows once more what a good administrator Lisa Jackson of the EPA is.

Ms. Jackson appeared before the Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works on December 2, 2009. She asked for cooperation. There is a need to test some 60,000 chemicals for their affects on human health. Until this year, they have been protected from testing by EPA and other regulatory agencies. For too long the chemical conglomerates have had from much influence in Congress and on Rule-Making.

At present, on the list of "Chemicals of Concern" there are presently 5 that have been released for testing. For too long, "progress" has been considered the priority over safety. While those have had all the progress a man could ask for, continue to be the only ones enjoying that fat bottom line, customers and taxpayers continue to buy from them, then are left clean up the toxic messes left behind. [Brownfield]

It will take citizens of the world standing in chorus, demanding products that are tested by neutral third parties, who are not allowed by regulation to make profit from a passed test. If Americans will begin to "inspect" what their industrial neighbors are planning and implementing. If citizens will contact their Representatives and Senators on a regular basis. Get on their e-mail list. Call 'em! That is what they are paid to do.

Everyday, in the U.S., our major newspapers are filled with public notices and announcements of future public meetings. Right now, the EPA on a federal level and all States have facilities (industry) with pending permits. The regulatory agencies are begging for public input for rule making.

This is Important: When an agency like EPA calls for public comment regarding rule making of Hazardous Chemicals, this means Industry, Consulting Firms, Building Associations, Polluters do respond. Industry get to comment too, and they do. There is a lot of time, study and money spent to influence rule making. The rules are geared more toward industry and their needs and wants. There are cities spread throughout the U.S. that are considered in "non-attainment". This means the area has pollution that is less than safe for humans with weak respriatory health http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/globalhealth/projects/airpollution.htm

Citizens must find their voice for the sustainability of the human race. How much damage can be done to the beautiful human body, life and soul. How far can we go in causing scars and poisonings to our habitat and remain fruitful?

Perhaps we will adapt, "Better Living Through Chemicals" is the old saying isn't it?...

Thank you for all you do. Thank you for getting involved. ~ It feels really cool when you write a letter, or make a phone call and you affect government ~ because we are the U.S. Government...

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Public Meeting RE: Air Quality Standards of Dioxins.

EPA: News Release by Date - 12/29/09. Contact: Dave Ryan, ryan.dave@epa.gov 202-564-7827, 202-564-4355

"EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide"

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/5941ACD46AC1EBD18525769B005911E7

Today's announcement (12-29-09), is regarding the Air Division of the (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency. The administrators are working on the rules for Sulfur Dioxide* emissions into our Air. That is all of our Air. Not many of us live in Bio-Domes, so it is safe to take Atmospheric scientist conclusions, that water travels in worldwide currents. Air currents as well travel many miles. We all share this Air.

Yesterday I blogged about an announcement from EPA asking People to submit comments regarding the rules in the process of the final remediation of dirt containing Dioxides [SFUND 2009-00907]. Remediation being restoring it to it's former use. It must be rendered useful and no longer a toxic filter. A Brownfield of Superfund site usually full of dioxins and must be cleaned up; usually of harmful dioxins are in the soil.

This public meeting (accepting public comments http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/contact.html )

will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on January 5, 2010. It will begin at 10:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. it will be held:

Atlanta Federal Center
Conference Rooms B and C
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

This is the EPA working to do the "Protecting" part as they have been assigned to do. For too many years, these pollutants; S02, Nox, have been allowed in emissions inventories without any limitation in many States. The Southern States of the U.S.have typically allowed the biggest pollution permits, because the Southern States are influenced more by business interests than conservation. The EPA and States cannot regulate to protect human health if they do not get input from more citizens.

The EPA is proposing to make the nation's sulfur dioxide (s02) standards stricter. Presently when a Facility (Industrial Site) permitted, they pay for every ton of pollution that gets through scrubbers and other stacks on their site.

In order to know how many tons they must purchase, they must do "stack testing". The stack test is supposed to simulate production levels of an hour run. Each 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years, permitted facilities who fall under EPA Air Division, Title IV 40 CFR 60.8 must test their emissions; or smoke coming out of their stacks. Because of the chemical processes, it is scientifically measured as to what pollutants will come from their operation.

The new national one hour S02 standard will be 50 - 100 ppb (parts per billion), meaning that in one hour of operating, the tonnage of emissions will be measured for how many part per billion of the released smoke contains So2. This is a link to 40 CFR, Pt 60, this is what facilities have to operate under and it is obviously complex. http://law.justia.com/us/cfr/title40/40-6.0.1.1.1.html#40:6.0.1.1.1.2.110.5

The new standards will decrease the allowable amounts of S02 that can be emitted per hour in industry.

It is understandable that Industry will balk and go on about paperwork, extra costs for testing, permitting and consulting. It is expensive and it does cut that bottom line.

I know individuals who work at large facilities. Most are family men that love the woods, rivers and clean air. They are u.s. It is as simple as thinking of a problem in a different way. Change happens, and it can be good.

Please have your say. Get involved. It has been said before; all it takes is for each of us to do one thing. People who come together for a good cause are a powerful force, with many of us out of jobs, maybe struggling to keep our home. We can go to the libraries, search public notices, and show up for public meetings; in letter or person. None of will be sorry for enhancing the Eco balance of our planet.

Thank you for getting involved. Peace.

For more information about participating contact: Tricia Crabtree crabtree.tricia@epa.gov or 919-541-5688.



*http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/

Enforcement & On-line mapping tools to view enforcement actions over $5B in 2009

EPA News Release by Date: December 23, 2009. Contact Deb Berlin berlin.deb@epa.gov 202-564-4914, 202-564-4355
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/3342886E4AA895DB8525769500589311

Today's release from the EPA Enforcement division are bringing tools to the public, that we may monitor the enforcement actions, fines, SIP's (State Implementation Plan), clean-ups, and completed reports, or the lack of such can be searchable.

G.I.S. Technology is finally becoming mainstream enough, that it has become remarkably easy to use and gather data from G.I.S (Geographic Information Services) mapping. Many of you have been using GIS and weren't aware, Google Earth, Google Maps, Map Quest, GPS...

Because of the advances in G.I.S. more and more public databases are being created. Public databases are generally the venue of Government agencies, because part of the determination of use of data mapping a G.I.S. page, narrows it down to agencies who have particularly accurate information.

Now, in many States Environmental Protection agencies have GIS databases that are available to the public, that they know what facilities are in their neighborhoods, the pollutants they emit, any Consent orders, what permit violations they may have had. Information on agency action or in-action are also available.

Today's announcement from the EPA lets the world see who the biggest and dirtiest polluters are and what your State is doing about it. This is also a good way to track ARRA (Stimulus Money) Grants that have been awarded and funded. Another step on transparency in government that is trickling down through this Government For and By the People.
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/reports/endofyear/eoy2009/index.html

Thank You for what you are doing. Please get involved, find out what pollutants are being dumped and pumped into your community, state and world. Without the support of the general public, the EPA and other regulating agencies are limited on the actions they can take. When the public takes an interest, emails, make calls and watch public notices, attend public meetings, follow who is appointed to commissions and if there are conflict of interest, public corruption, or like Connecticut; doing an amazing job protecting the Air and Water.

Get involved, be informed. That is something one will never regret. Especially when you make a difference for your community, family and world.

Thank you ~ Happy Holidays!!