Toxics | Grist

A Crawl to Arms

Seventh Generation launches anti-toxics campaign with wee gimmick 6
Posted 2 days, 17 hours ago Feel like making babies? Now you can do it with the push of a button, by joining the Million Baby Crawl to support chemical policy reform.
Bring It On

Ask Umbra on her hotness, corporate gift baskets, and more 6
Posted 6 days, 9 hours ago One question at a time wasn't enough for our dear Umbra Fisk, who debuts a multi-question column this week with advice on taking climate action, greening corporate gift baskets, and recycling receipts.
Buzzkill

Heat makes honey toxic, and other myths of the hive 10
Posted 1 week, 3 days ago Dear Lou, I heard a rumor that honey is toxic when placed in hot water. Is that true? Doesn't the whole world drink honey in hot tea? Also wondering about the harvesting of honey -- is it harmful to the bees and their sustainability? Lou Bendrick has the answers.
Just Boo-Cause

Ask Umbra on Halloween treats and costumes 6
Posted 1 week, 4 days ago Looking for good eco-handouts for the holiday, or perhaps an inspired climate-themed costume? Umbra has a few tricks (and treats) up her sleeve.
A Non-Starter?

Ask Umbra on anti-idling campaigns 15
Posted 1 month, 1 week ago A Girl Scout troop wants to start an anti-idling campaign, but they're not sure how to combat nervous grown-ups who think turning a car on and off will cause damage. Umbra, floored, gives them fuel for their cause.
Interior Monologue

Ask Umbra on that new-car smell 3
Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago An SUV owner wants to get a new ride, but can't stand the fumes in cars fresh off the lot. Umbra sniffs around for tips on quick routes to odor-free driving.
The toxic assault on our children

Can we protect kids from the toxic trappings of modern life? 1
Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Philip and Alice Shabecoff's Poisoned Profits: The Toxic Assault on Our Children casts environmental contamination in the context of kids, connecting the dots between the toxification of the young and a slew of once rare, now devastatingly commonplace childhood diseases.
EPA’s failure to publicize drinking water data prompts rethinking in agency, Congress 1
Posted 2 months ago
There is some evidence that Congress -- and the Environmental Protection Agency -- are rethinking their policies on a commonly used weed-killer after disclosures that the EPA failed to notify the public about high levels of the herbicide in drinking water.
Walking the Chalk

Going back to school? Here’s a green cheat sheet 2
Posted 2 months ago
Whether you're making your first big-kid move to Kindergarten or hitting campus for your senior year, there are all sorts of ways to make yours an eco-education, from non-toxic school supplies to the classes you take.
Pane in the Glass

Should I suck it up and buy vinyl windows? 30
Posted 2 months ago
The more estimates I get, the more despondent I am about being able to afford windows I feel good about. And the more I realize why people think greens operate in another sphere.
Gulp!

EPA fails to inform public about weed-killer in drinking water 1
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago
One of the nation's most widely used herbicides has been found to exceed federal safety limits in drinking water in four states, but water customers have not been told and the Environmental Protection Agency has not published the results.
Triclosan or treat?

Saying goodbye to a common—and toxic—antimicrobial chemical 9
Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Remember the '90s, when everyone and their mama became a germ freak and started buying anti-microbial everything? The trend has faded, but the personal-care and home-products industries keep clinging to an anti-microbial chemical called triclosan. A reader wants to know if triclosan should be avoided. Lou Bendrick has answers.
well deserved!

Damning look at Canada’s tar sands tops enviro journalism awards 1
Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Canadian journalist Andrew Nikiforuk won the top prize from the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual reporting awards for his investigation of oil extraction in the tar sands of northern Alberta.
Get the lead out, chapter 3

EPA to review 2008 Bush action on lead emissions 1
Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has decided she'll take another look at monitoring of car battery recyclers, concrete kilns and power plants that spew dangerous lead emissions.
Same as the Old Toss

Ask Umbra on (gasp) throwing stuff out 10
Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago
It's been a year since today's letter-writer switched to less-toxic cosmetics, but she still can't figure out how to get rid of the old ones. Umbra advises.
After Life

Ask Umbra on green burial 13
Posted 3 months, 3 weeks ago
When it comes to end-of-life arrangements, what are the options with the least eco-impact? Umbra gravely reviews the current landscape.
The Age of Resin

Ask Umbra on turpentine disposal 4
Posted 3 months, 3 weeks ago
A reader thinks twice before rinsing turpentine down the drain, and Umbra layers on the praise -- as well as helping him brush up on a few alternative solutions.
Buzz Off

A guide to non-toxic pest control 6
Posted 4 months ago
Summer brings many delights -- and a few not-so-delightful companions too. You've checked out Umbra's video advice on dealing with cockroaches, but how can you coexist with mosquitoes, ants, and other so-called pests? Here are a few eco-remedies for keeping the little wanderers at bay.
Ask Umbra’s video advice on sunscreen 2
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago
A Can of Worms

California is new front line of BPA fight 1
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago
California is at the forefront of the fight to protect young children from exposure to BPA. A bill authored by Democratic state Sen. Fran Pavley would essentially ban BPA in products such as baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula and baby food jars designed for children ages three and younger.