EPA

Chemical pollutants can change your skin bacteria and increase your eczema risk − new research explores how

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Research, Itch, Dicarboxylic acid, Temperature, Isocyanate, Polyurethane, Gene, Oil, Industrial Revolution, Growth, Atopic dermatitis, Paint, Environment, Risk, Genetics, Lipid, Inflammation, Revolution, Mouse, Child, Bacteria, Detergent, Life, Dermatitis, Staphylococcus aureus, Asthma, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Sensation, EPA, Skin, Plastic, Ceramide, Atmosphere, Lysine, Roseomonas, Staphylococcus, Pain, Air pollution, Wildfire, Vaccine

Also known as atopic dermatitis, this chronic skin disease affects about 1 in 5 children in the industrialized world.

Key Points: 
  • Also known as atopic dermatitis, this chronic skin disease affects about 1 in 5 children in the industrialized world.
  • Some studies have found rates of eczema in developing nations to be over thirtyfold lower compared with industrialized nations.
  • Scientists know that factors such as diets rich in processed foods as well as exposure to specific detergents and chemicals increase the risk of developing eczema.
  • Living near factories, major roadways or wildfires increase the risk of developing eczema.

There’s something in the air

  • Then we looked at databases from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to see which chemicals were most common in those areas.
  • Diisocyanates were first manufactured in the U.S. around 1970 for the production of spandex, nonlatex foam, paint and polyurethane.
  • The manufacture of xylene also increased around that time, alongside an increase in the production of polyester and other materials.
  • After 1975, when all new cars became outfitted with a new technology that converted exhaust gas to less toxic chemicals, isocyanate and xylene both became components of automobile exhaust.
  • How directly exposing mice to these toxins compares to the typical levels of exposure in people is still unclear.

Skin microbiome and pollution

  • Every person is coated with millions of microorganisms that live on the skin, collectively referred to as the skin microbiome.
  • You’ve probably seen moisturizers and other skin products containing ceramides, a group of lipids that play an important role in protecting the skin.
  • To see which toxins could prevent production of the beneficial lipids that prevent eczema, my team and I used skin bacteria as canaries in the coal mine.
  • Lysine helps protect the bacteria from the harms of the toxins but doesn’t provide the health benefits of ceramides.
  • Bacteria that help keep skin healthy could live on any fabric, but, just as with air pollution, the amount of beneficial lipids they made dropped to less than half the levels made when grown on fabrics like cotton.

Addressing pollution’s effects on skin

  • Detectors capable of sensing low levels of isocyanate or xylene could help track pollutants and predict eczema flare-ups across a community.
  • Better detectors can also help researchers identify air filtration systems that can scrub these chemicals from the environment.
  • In the meantime, improving your microbial balance may require avoiding products that limit the growth of healthy skin bacteria.
  • I believe that it may one day allow us to get back to a time when these diseases were uncommon.


Ian Myles receives funding from the Department of Intramural Research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He is the author of, and receives royalties for, the book GATTACA Has Fallen: How population genetics failed the populace. Although he is the co-discoverer of Roseomonas mucosa RSM2015 for eczema, he has donated the patent to the public and has no current conflict of interest for its sales.

Transporting hazardous materials across the country isn’t easy − that’s why there’s a host of regulations in place

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Theft, Health, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Environment, Transport, Poison, Safety, Pipeline, Risk, Classification, Government agency, Emergency, Accident, OSHA, EPA, Hazardous waste, Atmosphere, Injury, Federal Aviation Administration, Dangerous goods, Occupational safety and health, Movement

They’re just one visible part of a web of regulations that aim to keep workers and the environment safe while shipping hazardous waste.

Key Points: 
  • They’re just one visible part of a web of regulations that aim to keep workers and the environment safe while shipping hazardous waste.
  • Transporting hazardous materials such as dangerous gases, poisons, harmful chemicals, corrosives and radioactive material across the country is risky.
  • But because approximately 3 billion pounds of hazardous material needs to go from place to place in the U.S. each year, it’s unavoidable.
  • With all the material that needs to cross the country, hazardous material spills from both truck and rail transportation are relatively unavoidable.

Who regulates hazardous material?

  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates the proper handling of hazardous materials where they’re either manufactured or used.
  • The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates the transportation of hazardous materials by truck, rail, pipeline and ship.
  • In the air, the Federal Aviation Administration regulates hazardous materials.

Key regulations

  • Two essential regulations govern the handling and transportation of hazardous materials.
  • In 1975, the EPA published the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, which protects people and property from hazardous material transportation risks.
  • The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration oversees hazardous materials regulations that apply to everything from packaging and labeling to loading and unloading procedures.
  • Trucking companies transporting hazardous materials need to use specific vehicles and qualified drivers to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.
  • The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s and the Federal Railroad Administration’s regulations for rail shipments require that rail cars fit physical and structural specifications.
  • Both truck and rail companies must follow regulations that require the proper classification, packaging and labeling of hazardous materials.
  • The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s security regulations prevent theft or sabotage of hazardous materials.


Michael F. Gorman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

PFAS ‘forever chemicals’: Why EPA set federal drinking water limits for these health-harming contaminants

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Research, GxP, Toxicity, Health, Obesity, PFNA, Liver, Gore-Tex, 3M, PFAS, PFOS, Environment, Name, Risk, Food packaging, Fertility, PFOA, Pregnancy, Life, Diet, Thyroid disease, EPA, Agency, National academy, Water, Kidney, Breast cancer, Scotchgard, Inflammatory bowel disease, Birth weight, Cosmetics, Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, Vaccine, Soil, Family, Map, Drinking water, Pre-eclampsia, Poison

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now believes there is no safe level for two common PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – in drinking water, and it acknowledges that very low concentrations of other PFAS present human health risks.

Key Points: 
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now believes there is no safe level for two common PFAS – PFOA and PFOS – in drinking water, and it acknowledges that very low concentrations of other PFAS present human health risks.
  • The agency issued the first legally enforceable national drinking water standards for five common types of PFAS chemicals, as well as PFAS mixtures, on April 10, 2024.

What exactly are PFAS?

  • This is a large group of human-made chemicals – currently estimated to be nearly 15,000 individual chemical compounds – that are used widely in consumer products and industry.
  • They can make products resistant to water, grease and stains and protect against fire.
  • The short answer is that PFAS are harmful to human health and the environment.
  • Some of the very same chemical properties that make PFAS attractive in products also mean these chemicals will persist in the environment for generations.
  • The U.S. Geological Survey estimates common types of PFAS are now in at least 45% of the country’s tap water.

What are the health risks from PFAS exposure?

  • Research consistently demonstrates that PFAS are associated with a variety of adverse health effects.
  • A review by a panel of experts looking at research on PFAS toxicity concluded with a high degree of certainty that PFAS contribute to thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, liver damage, and kidney and testicular cancer.
  • Additionally, current research suggests that babies exposed prenatally are at higher risk of experiencing obesity, early-onset puberty and reduced fertility later in life.
  • Collectively, this is a formidable list of diseases and disorders.

Who’s regulating PFAS?

  • DuPont called it Teflon, which eventually became a household name for its use on nonstick pans.
  • Decades later, in 1998, Scotchgard maker 3M notified the Environmental Protection Agency that a PFAS chemical was showing up in human blood samples.
  • At the time, 3M said low levels of the manufactured chemical had been detected in people’s blood as early as the 1970s.
  • The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has a toxicological profile for PFAS.

How can you reduce your PFAS exposure?

  • The best ways to protect yourself and your family from risks associated with PFAS are to educate yourself about potential sources of exposure.
  • Products labeled as water- or stain-resistant have a good chance of containing PFAS.
  • Strategies for monitoring and reporting PFAS contamination vary by location and PFAS source, so the absence of readily available information does not necessarily mean the region is free of PFAS problems.


Kathryn Crawford receives funding from National Institutes of Health and US Geological Survey.

Séché Environnement and Waga Energy start up a RNG production unit in North of France

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Waste management, Opal, Climate, EPA, Methane, CO2, Kilowatt-hour, Natural gas, Sainte-Marie-Kerque, Renewable natural gas, RNG, Renewable energy

Séché Environnement, an international player in the circular economy and environmental services, and Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA), a global expert in the production of Renewable Natural Gas from landfills, have started up a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production unit at the Opal Environnement site, a subsidiary of the Séché Environnement group, in Sainte-Marie-Kerque (Northwestern France).

Key Points: 
  • Séché Environnement, an international player in the circular economy and environmental services, and Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA), a global expert in the production of Renewable Natural Gas from landfills, have started up a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production unit at the Opal Environnement site, a subsidiary of the Séché Environnement group, in Sainte-Marie-Kerque (Northwestern France).
  • The WAGABOX® unit will significantly increase the landfill energy production, providing energy that will help to decarbonize sectors such as transport and industry – still totally dependent on fossil fuels.
  • Maxime Séché, Chief Executive Officer of Séché Environnement, said: "This RNG production plant illustrates the Séché Environnement group’s commitment to circular economy and ecological transition of territories and industries.
  • Mathieu Lefebvre, Chief Executive Officer of Waga Energy, said: "Thanks to the WAGABOX® technology, the Sainte-Marie-Kerque landfill has become a RNG producer, and now supplies the local community with low-carbon energy.

Waga Energy successfully raises €52 million in an accelerated bookbuild offering

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Offering, CMA-CGM, IPO, Climate, EPA, Methane, Renewable natural gas, Commercial code, RNG, Security (finance)

The settlement-delivery of the Offering is expected to occur on March 25, 2024, subject to customary conditions.

Key Points: 
  • The settlement-delivery of the Offering is expected to occur on March 25, 2024, subject to customary conditions.
  • Gross proceeds from the Offering amount to €52 million, and net proceeds amount to approximately €50.2 million.
  • 3,939,394 New Shares will be issued, representing c. 19.2% of the Company’s existing share capital before Offering.
  • By way of illustration, a shareholder holding 1% of the share capital prior to the Offering and which did not participate in the Offering will hold 0.8% after completion of the Offering.

Waga Energy and Steuben County Commence RNG Production at the Bath Landfill in New York

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Natural gas, Corning, Carbon, EPA, Kilowatt-hour, Renewable natural gas, RNG

Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA), a global expert in the production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from landfills, and Steuben County, a county covering 1,397 square miles with a population of approximately 94,000, are producing renewable natural gas (RNG) at the Steuben County Landfill in Bath, New York.

Key Points: 
  • Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA), a global expert in the production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from landfills, and Steuben County, a county covering 1,397 square miles with a population of approximately 94,000, are producing renewable natural gas (RNG) at the Steuben County Landfill in Bath, New York.
  • Steuben County is the first municipality in the United States to utilize Waga Energy’s WAGABOX® facility to upgrade its landfill gas into RNG.
  • Waga Energy will operate and maintain the WAGABOX® unit under a 20-year landfill gas rights agreement with Steuben County.
  • Christopher Brewer, Deputy County Manager of Steuben County, said: “We are excited to partner with Waga Energy to develop this renewable natural gas project.

Waga Energy increases the amount allocated to liquidity contract

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
AMF, EPA, Portzamparc, Cryptocurrency

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Key Points: 
  • The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
  • On April 2, 2024, Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA) signed an amendment to the liquidity contract concluded with Portzamparc-BNP Paribas on November 19, 2021 in order to allocate an additional €300,000 to the contract.
  • This arrangement, which falls within the framework of AMF decision 2021-01 of June 22, 2021 on the establishment of liquidity contracts on equity securities consistent with accepted market practice, is intended to improve share liquidity and trading conditions for investors.
  • As such, the liquidity contract position after allocation of these new funds as of April 2, 2024 is:

Waga Energy announces the launch of an accelerated bookbuild offering for a minimum amount of €45 million

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
EGM, Natural gas, Growth, Offering, CMA-CGM, Lazard, Partnership, Financial adviser, Sale, IPO, Risk, EPA, Investment, AMF, Calendar, Legal Advisor, Renewable natural gas, Commercial code, RNG, Security (finance)

We now own 20 units in operation, 13 under construction, and with approximately 160 projects in the pipeline.

Key Points: 
  • We now own 20 units in operation, 13 under construction, and with approximately 160 projects in the pipeline.
  • Half of these projects are located in the United States, where we have recently commenced operations at our first facility.
  • This financing will enable us to capitalize on opportunities in this strategic market, where we have won several RFPs in recent months.
  • Waga Energy intends to raise gross proceeds amounting to a minimum of €45 million from the Offering of which €18.3 million have already been committed through the Subscription Commitments.

Cummins, Inc. Long-Term Shareholder Announcement: Johnson Fistel, LLP Encourages Investors to Reach Out For More Information

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Environment, SAN, Public, LLP, DOJ, CMI, EPA, Justice

If you have continuously owned Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) shares, you have certain legal rights as a shareholder.

Key Points: 
  • If you have continuously owned Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) shares, you have certain legal rights as a shareholder.
  • The company agreed to pay a substantial $1.675 billion civil penalty for its actions.
  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that Cummins knowingly evaded state emissions tests and requirements, causing harm to public health and the environment.
  • This penalty represents the largest amount ever recovered by the DOJ under the Clean Air Act and is the second-largest environmental penalty secured.

Bimbo Bakeries USA Earns 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for the Seventh Year in a Row

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Electricity, Certification, Climate change, Organization, Grupo Bimbo, Environment, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Sale, Private sector, Senior, EPA, Investment, Natural Resources Canada, Renewable energy

is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Key Points: 
  • is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  • The 2024 award marks the seventh year in row that the EPA has recognized the Company’s dedication to energy management strategy and leadership in the baking industry.
  • ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale, and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services, and strategies.
  • Bimbo Bakeries USA was highlighted for its installation of advanced controls and high-efficiency burners in ovens, oxidizers and boilers.