Recent Food Recalls and Safety Notifications
The Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) oversees the regulation and safety of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, medical devices, and most food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) oversees certain food. This includes meat, poultry, and egg products. Below is a list of recent recalls and safety notifications concerning products overseen by the FDA and USDA. […]
AFFF MDL Judge Reappoints Mike Stag to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee
The PEC serves as the driving force behind the litigation, tasked with coordinating strategies, conducting discovery, conducting bellwether trials, negotiating settlement, and advocating for the collective interests of the plaintiffs. This includes funding of the high costs of litigation necessary to prosecute the cause. Court appointment to this committee is a pivotal moment in the […]
PFAS Contamination at Cannon AFB
The Department of Defense concluded Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico is one of the most heavily contaminated sites in the country. The DOD included Cannon in the “top 10 of prioritized active US Air Force installations” for addressing PFAS contamination. This article discusses environmental concerns, health risks, ongoing cleanup efforts, and lawsuits related […]
US Production of Biomass
Background Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of the Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO) 2023 Billion-Ton Report (BT23). This is the fourth in a series of assessments of potential biomass resources available in the United States. BT23 provides estimates of biomass resource potential in response to market demand scenarios. According to the […]
PFAS Air Emission Contamination
Background Recently, a class action lawsuit was filed in Connecticut alleging that PFAS air emissions caused contamination to nearby land. The facility was a tissue facility that in the past manufactured diapers which were made with PFAS. The case is notable because it is one of the first PFAS class action lawsuits filed that involves […]
What is PFOS?
This article explains perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Let us delve into the key details about PFOS and understand its role and impact. The 3M Company formulated PFOS and holds the patent on its unique chemical structure. Chemists characterize its structure based upon the eight-carbon fluorocarbon chain fully covered with fluorine, coupled with a sulfonic acid group. […]
Work Exposure to PFAS Associated with Cancer
Often, workers contact PFAS chemicals without knowing they are being exposed to these dangerous chemicals. Investigators study work exposures to PFAS to figure out whether it affects human health and to protect workers from further harm. Scientists have become alarmed that workers exposed to PFAS have a higher risk of kidney, testicular, and liver cancer. […]
PFAS and Cosmetics
Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of chemicals in which most of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine. Currently, there are more than 12,000 different PFAS identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, only a few hundred of those identified PFAS have been used commercially including multiple intentional […]
Revised Endangered Species Act
Background Recently, the Biden Administration released three final rules that significantly revised regulations which implement several sections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finalized regulations that amend several components of the ESA. The species and habitat protected under the ESA extend […]
The DOE Invests in Decarbonization Projects
Introduction Recently, the DOE announced it would invest in 33 projects across more than 20 states to decarbonize energy-intensive industries. Additionally, it would reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, support good-paying union jobs, revitalize industrial communities, and strengthen the nation’s manufacturing competitiveness. These projects represent an overall investment of more than $20 billion, broken down as […]