Naturally Interesting

In a move to finish 670 miles of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border by the end of the year, the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced that it will waive federal and state environmental laws. The two waivers, which were approved by Congress, will allow Homeland Security to ignore more than 30 environmental laws, including completing NEPA assessments.

Critics, said the waivers were intended to sidestep growing and unexpectedly fierce opposition — especially in Arizona and in Texas, where concerns have been raised about endangered species and fragile ecosystems along the Rio Grande.

read more | digg story

 The FDA judged Bisphenol A safe based on just two studies. Who sponsored these studies? The Society of the Plastics Industry. One of the studies was never published (no peer review), and the other heavily criticized.

Ignoring hundreds of government and academic studies showing a chemical commonly found in plastic can be harmful to lab animals at low doses, the Food and Drug Administration determined the chemical was safe based on just two industry-funded studies that didn’t find harm.

Studies have shown that bisphenol A causes breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes and hyperactivity in laboratory animals. The chemical has been found in the urine of 93% of Americans tested.

The FDA: looking out for the health of the American people American companies.

Reported in the Milwaukie Journal Sentinel.