A new lawsuit filed by an environmental group in Tucson alleges the FDA has failed to regulate contamination from PFAS in food.
PFAS are a group of thousands of human-made chemicals that are used in everything from waterproof jackets to nonstick cookware. Exposure has been linked to health issues including certain cancers.
Last year, the EPA introduced the first-ever federally-enforceable limits on PFAS in drinking water. In a suit filed in federal court in January, a grassroots group called the Tucson Environmental Task Force argues the same should be done for food.
"They are doing a total dietary study, that says, you know, they monitor foods for contamination and then they say, ‘Oh, don’t worry, there’s no PFAS, nothing to see here.’ But you know, you can’t find what you’re not looking for," said Sandy Daussin, the group’s attorney
Daussin’s suit — filed in 2023 — references the FDA’s own studies showing PFAS contamination in milk, corn and other items. Their new filing alleges an unreasonably delayed response.
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Officials have lifted fire restrictions for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, citing increased moisture and cooler temperatures.
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The California-based company Reflect Orbital got approval to send a prototype into space from the FCC that is set to be able to reflect sunlight back to Earth at night. Astronomers had tried to get more review, saying it could effect observations and have broader ecological impacts.
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Several Tempe and Phoenix neighbors reported smelling a strong odor of natural gas outside their homes on July 6, but local authorities said they did not detect a gas leak.
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The EPA is proposing eliminating a federal 30-day public notice requirement for minor source permits. Most data centers in Arizona, and across the country, obtain these permits to allow them to run backup diesel generators or small gas turbines.
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Environmental advocates argue that new water-sharing rules can and should keep the river flowing for plants, animals, people and infrastructure.