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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending March 19, 2010
EPA INITIATES HYDRAULIC FRACTURING STUDY
EPA announced a scientific study to investigate the potential impact the technique of hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality, public health, and the environment. The study will start with $1.9 million in funding to help determine the technique's safety, guide the way to safeguard water quality and help develop future policies and regulations. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used to break rock barriers to release available supplies of natural gas buried in shale formations. For more information on hydraulic fracturing, go to https://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html For more information on the EPA Science Advisory Board involved in the study, go to https://www.epa.gov/sab
EPA'S ONLINE INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL INFORMATION NOW MORE TRANSPARENT AND FREE TO PUBLIC
EPA is making the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory available free to the public at DATA.GOV, a website housing other important online government information. The TSCA inventory provides public information on the safety of around 17,000 chemicals used in commerce to protect public health and the environment. EPA also announced in January its intent to reduce a confidentiality claim allowing industry from disclosing information on certain chemicals deemed damaging to company profits. For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/pubs/invntory.htm For information on EPA's principles for comprehensive TSCA reform: https://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/principles.html
PETS GET EPA'S ATTENTION: EPA TO INCREASE SAFETY OF FLEA AND TICK CONTROL PRODUCTS FOR CATS AND DOGS
In response to increased public concern about the ill-effects on dogs and cats from spot-on flea and tick control products, (including to the skin, gastrointestinal system or to the nervous system), EPA will increase the safety of these products by requiring stronger and clearer labeling statements, and more stringent requirements in the testing and evaluation of new and existing products. The agency is inviting public comment. A Federal Register notice announcing the opening of a docket was published on March 19 (EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0229). EPA's report on the evaluation of products and incidents is available at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/petproductseval.html
More information on pet products and safety tips are available at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/pets.htm
EPA recommends that veterinarians use the National Pesticide Information Center's Veterinary Pesticide Adverse Effects Portal to report incidents at http://npic.orst.edu/vet 
EPA RECOGNIZES ENERGY STAR LEADERS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY
At a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, EPA presented the 2010 Energy Star Awards (Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, and Excellence) to organizations that demonstrated an outstanding commitment to superior energy efficiency in their operations. 2010 Energy Star Award winners in the mid-Atlantic region included:
ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International (Washington, DC)
Council Rock School District (Newtown, PA)
Giant Eagle Incorporated (Pittsburgh, PA)
Gorell Enterprises, Inc. (Indiana, PA)
ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year
Loudoun County Public Schools (Ashburn, VA)
Sunoco, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA)
ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence
Community Housing Partners (Christiansburg, VA)
Continental Refrigerator (Bensalem, PA)
For more information, visit: www.energystar.gov/awards
EPA'S BURN WISE PROGRAM VIDEO CONTEST PROMOTES PROTECTION FROM WOOD SMOKE POLLUTION
EPA is sponsoring a video contest "Learn Before You Burn" for professional and amateur filmmakers under Burn Wise, the agency's campaign to help citizens reduce toxic pollution from their fireplaces and other wood-burning appliances that can harm the health of users and others, especially vulnerable populations. The winning 30- or 60-second videos will promote responsible wood-burning techniques that can help citizens save money while making the air healthier to breathe.
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