Greenlines – EPA Dithers on BPA, Big Oil’s Deniers Club + More Shame over Sidewalks

I’ve seen tons of stories and received a slew of activist emails about the need to ban BPA, or bisphenol A. The material used in baby bottles and many other products was considered safe for years but a growing body of scientific research suggests toxins in the plastic seeps into whatever is stored inside, meaning we may be consuming it with every sip. The EPA was poised to take a side on the issue, but NPR reports that the agency now plans to delay action pending the results of even more studies.

Mother Jones on Big Oil continues funding climate deniers abroad and how the corporate largess undermines international climate action.

The EPA is reversing a long-standing decision with plans to require pesticide manufacturers to disclose to the public the inert ingredients in their
products. Federal regulators are also shifting course on the policy toward pharmaceutical residues in the nation’s drinking water.

Farmers use more herbicides on GMO crops, according to a new report.

Hey, did you see that the shoveled sidewalk story made the TV news last night and outrage has not yet waned! There are posts in Borderstan, Urban Places & Spaces, and the DCist.

Congress Heights on the Rise takes on the pros and cons of gentrification.

DC Mud reports that Zip Car has won the right to park in alleys, a victory that will help the car sharing service expand its presence in parking-strapped neighborhoods.

Qualia, the Petworth coffee joint, is staying open late tonight to help last-minute shoppers stay alert. Oops,I’m confusing my blog posts. This one’s better for my new Washington City Paper Series “Confessions of a Wi-Fi loafer.” Check it out on the WCP’s City Desk blog!

Today’s Greenlines: DC’s 1st Swine Flu Fatality, Biking News, Commuter Taxes + Fetal Chemical Exposure

DC has its first Swine Flu fatality and drug-Resistant Swine Flu Now in Virginia & Maryland, DCist reports.

Prince of Petworth poses the Friday question of the day: Do You Support a Commuter Tax for DC?

Richard Layman’s blog has new bicyling and transportation statistics and some thoughts on park planning.

The Washington Post has a story today on how some Virginians are taking the smoking ban hard.

Our exposure to toxic chemicals begins in the womb, according to a new study covered by Yale’s e360.

Today’s Sustainability News Roundup

Given the wave of bedbug sightings in DC and elsewhere recently, this new research is a relief. Environmental Health News is reporting that “good housekeeping” habits are more effective than fumigation in keeping the bedbug population at bay.

Californian regulators are considering a proposal for pay-by-the-mile auto insurance. If adopted, California would be the second state, after Texas, to give motorists a chance to insure themselves for only the miles they drive. Besides offering a new way of looking at auto insurance, the plan, called the MileMeter, drives home (so to speak) the connection between mileage and air pollution, not to mention global warming.

Spiegel Online International provides some insights on how climate change fighters could save the planet on the cheap.

Kmart, Target and Toys R Us will pay nearly half a million dollars to settle a California lawsuit over sale of toys containing excessive amounts of lead.

Nanoparticles found in many body lotions and cosmetics damage DNA, according to new research.

USA Today has a story on bad behavior by farmers growing genetically engineered corn.

Owens Corning is starting a shingle recycling program.

LEED, the country’s preeminent green building rating system, has seen rapid growth this year, even as the conventional environmentally evasive construction industry has faltered.

Traces of BPA, the controversial plastic often used to coat the insides of cans, can leach into the food inside those cans. Yuk!