Blog
Large Population-Based Study of U.S Adults Analyze What Initiates Chemical Intolerance
A large population-based study of U.S. adults finds chemical intolerance is initiated by fossil fuel-derived toxicants from oil and natural gas, synthetic organic chemical derivatives like pesticides, and biogenic toxicants from mold and algal blooms.
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Study Shows Improved Indoor Air Quality Lessens Chemical Intolerance Symptoms
A 2022 study published by Cambridge University Press shows that improved indoor air quality can lessen the symptoms of Chemical Intolerance after exposure to chemical inhalants.
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[Reuters] Canada secures surrender of all offshore Pacific coast oil and gas permits
If Canada can do it, can the US too? Read about Canada’s recent strides to protect its waters after securing the surrender of the remaining permits for oil and gas development off its Pacific Coast.
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Health & Safety Task Force Report Proposes Changes To Better Protect the Health of Workers and the Public During Oil Spills
A ground-breaking report identifies new programs and specific law changes to better protect worker health and public health during oil spills and chemical releases. The report is the initial work of the Health & Safety Task Force, co-chaired by ALERT and state officials from Washington and Oregon, that was chartered by the federal Regional Response…
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ALERT Report Provides Nexus to Implement EPA Dispersant Use Regulations
Dr. Riki Ott’s report, “An Opportunity to Make it Right,” explains how EPA’s new rules for dispersant use during oil spill response (driven in part by ALERT’s lawsuit) provide an opportunity to institutionalize proactive state and local involvement in Area Committees to decide what dispersants to use, if any, during oil spill response. Ott recommends ways to get started,…
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Amicus Letter Granted By Eleventh Circuit of Appeals
Written by ALERT’s Dr. Riki Ott, the Eleventh Court of Appeals accepted an amicus letter written in support of the plaintiff-appellants in BP Deepwater Horizon BELO cases v. Lester Jenkins, et. al. Her amicus advocates for the reversal of the district court’s order excluding the expert testimony of Dr. Freeman and Dr. Solomon. Ott calls…
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PRESS RELEASE: Lawsuit Filed to Halt Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – [download PDF here]. Lawsuit Filed to Halt Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project Army Corps Project Would Divert Mississippi Fresh Water, Mud and Toxins into the Barataria Wetland Basin with Devastating Impacts New Orleans, Louisiana –– Local commercial fishing organizations, health advocates, and conservationists filed a lawsuit today to halt the massive…
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EPA’s New Rules on Oil Dispersants, Explained.
This background is intended to broaden the public understanding of the scope and significance of the 2023 updates to our nation’s emergency response plan – the “National Contingency Plan” (NCP) to protect our environment against hazardous waste releases, including oil spills. The rules were updated as a result of a 2020 lawsuit (Alert v. EPA). When…
Read MoreThe Guardian: Environmental Protection Agency US government toughens rules on chemicals used to break up oil slicks
“Environmental activists sued EPA to update regulations, after thousands of people sickened from Deepwater Horizon cleanup The Environmental Protection Agency has announced more stringent rules governing offshore oil spill response, amid continuing concerns about the effects on public health and wildlife from chemical disasters, including BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010.” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/14/epa-chemical-regulation-oil-spill-cleanup-exxon-valdez-bp
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EPA Issues Final Rule Governing Use of Chemical Dispersants on Oil Spills (Alert v. EPA)
For Immediate Release – [Download PDF] Berkeley, CA (June 13, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a long-awaited final rule governing oil spill response that may better safeguard the health of millions of people living on United States coastlines, rivers, and even highways where oil spills occur. Prompted by a lawsuit…
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