Power plants continue to release large amounts of toxic pollutants, including mercury, into our air. Mercury pollution particularly threatens fetuses and infants, who can suffer irreversible brain damage due to mercury exposure. This report ranks U.S. power plants by 2010 mercury emissions, and makes the case for new toxic pollution standards the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize in December to protect public health. (November 2011)

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Uranium mining is an industry with a bad track record. At sites ranging from a giant tailings pile next to the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, to old mines near the Grand Canyon, the industry has left radioactive contamination behind it. Opening land near the Grand Canyon to uranium exploration would threaten one of our most valuable national places, and imperil the drinking water of 25 million downstream residents. (July 2011)

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Today, Pennsylvanians find themselves in the midst of an energy boom – with gas companies rushing to extract natural gas from the Marcellus Shale in thousands of locations from northeast of Scranton to southwest of Pittsburgh. In this report, we explore the possible consequences that expanded gas extraction could bring. We review the risks, evaluate how rapidly the gas boom is expanding, and examine how close permitted well sites are to day care facilities, schools and hospitals -- where nearby gas extraction puts the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, including children and the sick, at risk. (May 2011)

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A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the widespread use of chemicals in our society harms our health and the health of our children. In this report, we tell the story of the insidious impact of toxic chemicals, from the plastic ingredient bisphenol A to pesticides, drawing on evidence from more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers. The United States should remove the most dangerous substances from commerce and require manufacturers to ensure that the chemicals used in everyday products are safe for our families and our communities. (April 2011)

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The widespread use of toxic chemicals – in everything from industrial plants to baby bottles – is threatening our health and environment. But it doesn’t have to be that way. This report highlights 14 businesses that are identifying unnecessary hazards in their facilities, in their manufacturing processes and in the products they sell – and acting to eliminate them. In the process, these businesses are creating green jobs and strengthening the economy. Stronger policies can do more to promote the invention and deployment of innovations that are “safer by design,” protecting our environment and our health while helping U.S. industries to thrive in the 21st century. (February 2011)

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California’s efforts to reduce air pollution from cars and trucks have made the state’s air cleaner than it has been in decades – and Californians are healthier as a result. Clean car standards have helped cut total automobile air pollution in California by more than 85 percent since 1975, despite rapid growth in population and vehicle travel. However, many Californians are still exposed to some of the worst air pollution in the United States – contributing to high asthma rates and shortened life spans. To continue progress and protect Americans’ health, state officials should update California’s vehicle emission standards to make sure that new cars are as clean as possible. (November 2010)

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Leading California businesses are showing that consumer products don’t have to contain toxic chemicals, threaten public health, or produce large amounts of waste in order to work. These businesses are making California healthier and wealthier by designing products to be safe from the start, following the principles of green chemistry. This report highlights 12 Golden State businesses or institutions that are identifying unnecessary hazards in their facilities, in their manufacturing processes and in the products they sell – and acting to eliminate them. In the process, these pioneers are demonstrating how a strong state-wide green chemistry policy can give birth to a new way of doing business – benefiting the people of California and setting an example for the nation as a whole. (March 2010)

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There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, the third leading cause of preventable death in America. In 2005, the state of Georgia enacted a smoke-free workplace policy to protect public health. However, Georgia’s law allows smoking to continue in bars and restaurants that do not serve minors under 18 – primarily because of concerns that smoking restrictions would drive customers away. However, Going Smoke Free shows that smoke-free laws have no negative effect on business at bars and restaurants — and in some cases even help. (October 2009)

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Air pollution from cars and light-duty trucks in Minnesota harms public health, contributing to cancer, asthma and respiratory disease. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions from cars contribute to global warming that threatens the future of Minnesota's environment. Clean Cars, Cleaner Air reviews the impact of automobile air pollution on public health in Minnesota and describes how state adoption of the Clean Cars Program can curb pollution and benefit the state's consumers and the economy. (March 2009)

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Furnishings containing formaldehyde – a toxic chemical linked with allergies, asthma and cancer – can contaminate indoor air. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to harm. To evaluate the potential dangers children face, Environment California Research & Policy Center tested 21 products intended for use in a baby’s nursery, and found that six of the products produced high levels of formaldehyde vapor. In particular, several brands of cribs and changing tables emit formaldehyde at levels linked with increased risk of developing allergies or asthma. (May 2008)

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Connecticut citizens are exposed to thousands of harmful toxic chemicals in the course of daily life. However, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, most of these chemicals have not been tested for safety. Unnecessary Hazards explores 10 types of chemicals that contaminate Connecticut’s homes and environment and put our health at risk. The report concludes that, for each type of chemical, safer alternatives exist. Moreover, they can be implemented at minimal cost, or even net savings. By requiring the use of safer alternatives for dangerous chemicals found in commerce, Connecticut can protect its environment, workers, and families – without harming the strength of Connecticut’s business and industry community. (February 2007)

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Despite modest improvements in Maryland’s air quality over the last several decades, the cancer risk from air toxics is still 40 times higher for Marylanders than the federal standard. Data published in 2006 by the EPA shows that two-thirds of the cancer risk comes from mobile sources such as cars and trucks. Cars and Cancer highlights the cancer risk by Maryland counties and recommends adoption of tougher car emission standards as part of the solution to the problem. (December 2006)

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California state agencies have discovered perchlorate—the main ingredient in solid rocket fuel—contaminating almost 400 water sources since 1997, including the Colorado River and hundreds of municipal wells. In 1992 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took the first steps toward requiring cleanup of perchlorate from drinking water. In response, a group of manufacturers and users of rocket fuel joined to form the Perchlorate Study Group with the stated intention of helping EPA by providing scientific information. However, documents from the internal files of participants in the Perchlorate Study Group reveal that, much like the tobacco industry, these companies paid millions of dollars to fund misleading research and millions more to influence the scientific and public debate, aiming to weaken regulations and reduce liability. (December 2006)

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Mercury pollution from incinerators and coal-fired power plants threatens the health of thousands of Maryland newborns and children each year. Mercury Pollution in Maryland presents an analysis of data from nearly 2,000 fish tested by state agencies; 59 percent of the fish contained enough mercury to present a potential health risk. Though Maryland has already established limits on mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants and banned mercury-containing thermostats, the state must do more to protect citizens from mercury by ending medical and municipal waste incineration and collecting mercury-based products. (April 2006)

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Air pollution takes a significant toll on human health in North Carolina every year, shortening thousands of lives and sending thousands of people to area hospitals. Air Pollution and Public Health in North Carolina estimates the number of premature deaths, hospital admissions, asthma attacks, missed work days and other health consequences of air pollution in the state, recommending a series of steps toward cleaner air. (February 2006)

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Air pollution, mercury-tainted fish, peeling lead, pesticides and other commonly used toxic chemicals threaten the health of Maryland’s children. Though there are many powerful policies available for the state to use in reducing pollution, Maryland has adopted only a few of them. Maryland Children’s Environmental Health Report Card examines the most common environmental threats to children’s health and evaluate and grades Maryland’s response to these problems. (December 2005)

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Despite tighter automobile emission standards over the past three decades, many states continue to face significant automobile-related air pollution problems. Ready to Roll: The Benefits of Today’s Advanced-Technology Vehicles for Oregon outlines how the use of advanced-technology vehicles—those that use cleaner, alternative fuels or new technological advances to achieve dramatically improved environmental performance—could alleviate air pollution problems while reducing global warming emissions and enhancing the state’s energy security. The report also documents that, although advanced technology vehicles are “ready to roll,” availability of these vehicles is limited in states that have not yet adopted the California Clean Car Standards. (November 2005)

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Despite tighter automobile emission standards over the past three decades, many states continue to face significant automobile-related air pollution problems. Ready to Roll: The Benefits of Today’s Advanced-Technology Vehicles for Maine outlines how the use of advanced-technology vehicles—those that use cleaner, alternative fuels or new technological advances to achieve dramatically improved environmental performance—could alleviate air pollution problems while reducing global warming emissions and enhancing the state’s energy security. The report also documents that, although advanced technology vehicles are “ready to roll,” availability of these vehicles is limited in states that have not yet adopted the California Clean Car Standards. (March 2005)

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Despite tighter automobile emission standards over the past three decades, many states continue to face significant automobile-related air pollution problems. Ready to Roll: The Benefits of Today’s Advanced-Technology Vehicles for Washington outlines how the use of advanced-technology vehicles—those that use cleaner, alternative fuels or new technological advances to achieve dramatically improved environmental performance—could alleviate air pollution problems while reducing global warming emissions and enhancing the state’s energy security. The report also documents that, although advanced technology vehicles are “ready to roll,” availability of these vehicles is limited in states that have not yet adopted the California Clean Car Standards. (March 2005)

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Air pollution—including that from light-duty cars and trucks—poses a major public health threat in Maryland. Cleaner Cars, Cleaner Air presents the results of emissions modeling that calculates how much emissions of smog-forming and toxic pollutants could be reduced if Maryland adopted more stringent vehicle emission standards. (February 2005)

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Perchlorate, the primary ingredient in solid rocket fuel, contaminates much of California’s food and water supply. In an attempt to limit liability for causing the pollution, perchlorate manufacturers and users have attempted to focus the health debate around the needs of healthy adults. But the real threat of perchlorate is to the health and development of young children, as explained in Perchlorate and Children’s Health. Exposure to small amounts of perchlorate—whether in the womb or during the sensitive first few years of life—has the potential to set children back in their mental development. (January 2005)

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Maryland’s hospitals and health care facilities annually classify more than 35,000 tons of waste as regulated medical waste that must be sterilized before disposal. Incineration of this waste releases pollution such as mercury and dioxin that imperils public health. Medical Waste in Maryland: Alternatives to Incineration explores opportunities for hospitals to reduce the amount of medical waste they generation and alternatives to burning waste, such as autoclaves and specialized microwaves. (December 2004)

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Despite progress made over the past several decades, California continues to have the worst air quality in the nation. During his campaign for governor in 2003, Governor Schwarzenegger made a bold promise to clean up California’s air, committing to reduce health-threatening air pollution by 50 percent by 2010. Clean Air for California: Cutting Health-Threatening Air Pollution 50% by 2010 provides an assessment of programs currently in place, while making the case that achieving 50 percent reductions in air pollution will be impossible without substantial new commitments to clean air programs. This report also suggests further action the state could take to reach the Governor’s goals. (August 2004)

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Despite tighter automobile emission standards over the past three decades, many states continue to face significant automobile-related air pollution problems. Ready to Roll: The Benefits of Today’s Advanced-Technology Vehicles for Maryland outlines how the use of advanced-technology vehicles—those that use cleaner, alternative fuels or new technological advances to achieve dramatically improved environmental performance—could alleviate air pollution problems while reducing global warming emissions and enhancing the state’s energy security. The report also documents that, although advanced technology vehicles are “ready to roll,” availability of these vehicles is limited in states that have not yet adopted the California Clean Car Standards. (July 2004)

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Problems like premature birth; male genital defects; learning, attention, and emotional disturbances; early puberty; obesity; and low sperm quality have been increasing in California and the nation as a whole over the past several decades. While a range of factors, from lifestyle to heredity, may contribute to these trends, a growing body of research suggests that toxic chemicals play a significant role. Growing Up Toxic reviews scientific evidence (as of 2004) linking chemical exposures to developmental disease, documents that reducing exposure can prevent harm and recommends a series of policy reforms to protect children from toxic exposures. (June 2004)

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While stronger regulations have resulted in cars that are far cleaner than those of three decades ago, the air in many American cities remains dangerous to breathe. The reason: Americans are driving more miles than ever before and that additional driving is spurred in part by the expansion of America's highway network, which is one of the major causes of suburban sprawl. More Highways, More Pollution finds that American cities with the largest highway networks per capita also tend to be those with the greatest air pollution and warns that further highway expansion could lead to additional air pollution and threats to public health. (March 2004)

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