Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Risk Level For Harmful Chemicals In Drinking Water Needs To Be 7-to-10 Times Lower Than EPA Recommended, Study Finds
Reuters: EPA-Recommended Chemicals Levels In Water Too High: U.S. Report
The risk level for exposure in water to common chemicals used in Teflon and firefighting foam should be at least seven to 10 times lower than the threshold recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a draft report released on Wednesday that the White House and EPA had tried to keep from publication. The Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released the draft study of the controversial class of chemicals called PFOA or PFAS for public comment. (Volocovici, 6/20)
Reuters: New York Sues 3M, Five Others Over Toxic Chemical Contamination
New York state sued 3M Co and five other companies to recover the cost of cleaning up environmental contamination caused by toxic chemicals in firefighting foam that they manufactured. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Barbara Underwood said on Wednesday the lawsuit seeks more than $38.8 million plus punitive damages and is the first of its type by a U.S. state. (6/20)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Cleveland Admits Mistake In Ordering Residents To Leave 30 Homes Where Lead Hazards Were Fixed
Cleveland officials admitted Wednesday they mistakenly issued orders to vacate for 30 properties, after lead hazards in the homes had been cleaned up through a city-run remediation program. The people living in the homes, whether they own or rent, will not have to leave, said Tania Menesse, director of Community Development. (Dissell and Zeltner, 6/20)
