For the second time this year, romaine lettuce is being blamed for a large outbreak of illness caused by pathogenic forms of the bacteria Escherichia coli, or E. coli. The latest multi-state alert was released by the CDC on November 26, warning of an outbreak originating in the north and central coastal regions of California, likely with […]
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In a report released this month, EPA’s Office of Inspector General lays out in no uncertain terms that EPA’s regulation of land-applied biosolids “had weaknesses and may not fully protect human health and the environment.” This “sewage sludge” is “solid, semisolid or liquid residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage.” After processing at wastewater […]
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Americans enjoy the cheapest food in the world. The American food supply is among the most expensive in the world. Both statements are true. How can that be? America is the richest country in the world, so when the cost of food in the U.S. is measured as a percentage of average per capita income, […]
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The State of California is taking steps to restrict use of the insecticide chlorpyrifos over concerns it is “harming the brains of babies.” In temporary guidelines issued this week, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation recommends farmers discontinue use on most crops and increased the required spray perimeters for the rest. They also order a […]
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The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organization with over 30 member countries that was founded in 1961, has released a new report on antibiotic resistance. In “Stemming the Superbug Tide: Just a Few Dollars More,” OECD reports that “superbug” infections are expected to cause 2.4 million deaths in Europe, North America, […]
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The New York Times reported this week that nitrate contamination of private wells in agricultural regions around the Midwest is turning water quality and agricultural regulations into focal points of many local and statewide elections. In communities surrounding the agricultural regions of Wisconsin, Iowa, and beyond, private wells are failing water quality standards, often by […]
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AgPro reports that the first dicamba drift damage trials are on track to begin a year from now in October 2019. Several cases have been combined into a federal multidistrict litigation, and that case is moving forward in U.S. District Court in Missouri. The first case in this MDL to be heard will be that of […]
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Over-the-top dicamba use on Roundup Ready Xtend soybeans and cotton will be allowed by EPA for up to two more years, with some additional use restrictions. This means farmers will be able to continue using the controversial new dicamba formulations XtendiMax, FeXapan, and Engenia that have damaged millions of acres of cropland, gardens, and other […]
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Climate change is a looming threat for all farmers, but some crops in particular are “in the crosshairs” of this global environmental crisis. NPR reports in their “The Salt” food and farming series that five crops in particular may face the biggest challenges. They highlight wheat, peaches, coffee, corn, and almonds. See below for a […]
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This piece is reprinted from Environmental Health News. Photos and captions added by Hygeia. New study showing organic diets cut cancer risk is a big deal. Let’s treat it that way. No study is perfect—but recent findings that organic food consumption cuts cancer risk highlights an opportunity to tackle a deadly, expensive health crisis More […]
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