water contamination
Newsletter
Water gushes from abandoned oil wells in Texas
A troubling trend of water erupting from abandoned oil wells in West Texas raises unanswered questions about the cause and impact on the environment.
In short:
- Water has been gushing from abandoned oil wells on Schuyler Wight's West Texas ranch, with no clear explanation from regulators.
- The Texas Railroad Commission has been unable to determine the cause, despite numerous incidents and cleanup efforts.
- Experts suggest that the injection of fracking wastewater might be increasing underground pressure, leading to these blowouts.
Key quote:
“There’s been such an increase in disposal of produced water over the past decade, there’s an overwhelming amount of water being disposed. That pressure has to go somewhere.”
— Dominic DiGiulio, an environmental consultant and geoscientist
Why this matters:
These unexplained water eruptions, occurring in an area with weak regulatory oversight, could have severe long-term effects on local ecosystems and agriculture.
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Scientists urge Canada to address emerging water contaminants in the Great Lakes
Scientists studying unregulated contaminants are calling for coordinated action from Ontario and federal governments to protect water and health in the Great Lakes region.
In short:
- Emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and PFAS are not being removed by Ontario's outdated wastewater treatment systems.
- These contaminants pose a threat to the Great Lakes, which supply drinking water to millions and are home to diverse ecosystems.
- Other Great Lakes states, like Michigan and New York, have implemented measures to reduce these contaminants, putting Ontario behind in environmental protection.
Key quote:
“Contaminants keep changing and growing. We’ll get much more. Are we really going to wait to see humans impacted before we start addressing this?”
— Rania Hamza, civil engineering professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Why this matters:
The presence of unregulated contaminants in the Great Lakes poses serious risks to human health and the environment. With millions relying on the Great Lakes for water, comprehensive measures are essential to prevent long-term ecological damage and negative health impacts. Read more: Long-banned toxics are still accumulating in Great Lakes birds—as new chemical threats emerge.
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Newsletter
Heat conditions are worsening for fashion workers amid climate change
Extreme heat and flooding exacerbated by climate change are impacting the health and safety of garment workers in global fashion supply chains, with many already enduring tough working conditions.
Louise Donovan, Snigdha Poonam, and Albert Oppong-Ansah report for Grist.
In short:
- Workers in fashion's supply chain, especially women, are grappling with dangerous heat and flooding, made worse by climate change.
- Unsafe working conditions are prevalent, with inadequate ventilation, extreme temperatures, and often unclean water.
- Industry efforts have focused more on reducing environmental impact than on ensuring safe conditions for vulnerable workers.
Key quote:
"Workers are suffering from heat stress, from flooding, from water pollution … and we need to protect [them] from that as well."
— Liz Parker, Clean Clothes Campaign
Why this matters:
Advocates say fashion brands must do more to address the climate change-driven threats that endanger the health of workers who produce their garments. Providing safe working conditions not only safeguards these essential workers but also reinforces ethical practices across the global supply chain. Read more: Farmworkers’ vicious cycle of precarious employment, exploitation and climate change
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Opinion: Rethinking plastic production for a healthier future
Delegates meet to reshape the global approach to plastic pollution at the UN treaty talks, highlighting industry influence and warning of greenwashing.
In short:
- The authors argue that the United Nations plastic treaty discussions in Ottawa need to steer clear of industry-promoted recycling myths and focus on substantive reductions in plastic production.
- They criticize the plastics industry for promoting continued reliance on ineffective recycling methods that fail to address broader environmental and health concerns.
- Global plastic output has surged, and unless robust international regulations are implemented, it is projected to double, exacerbating health and environmental crises.
Key quote:
"Instead of supporting cuts to plastic production, the U.S. has been mimicking the petrochemical and plastics industries’ talking points at the UN convenings, focusing on waste management and emphasizing failed plastics recycling and “circular” plastics."
— Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and Pamela Miller, Alaska Community Action on Toxics.
Why this matters:
As the UN plastic treaty talks unfold, the authors urge focusing on reducing plastic production and eliminating harmful chemicals, not just for environmental sustainability but for global health and safety, particularly in vulnerable communities. Read more: Ending toxic threats to Alaska from plastics and petrochemicals.
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British Columbia's handling of hazardous spills falls short, audit reveals
British Columbia's preparedness for hazardous spills is inadequate, with outdated response plans and insufficient compliance oversight, an audit finds.
Amanda Follett Hosgood and Andrew MacLeod report for The Tyee.
In short:
- The audit highlighted that B.C.'s spill response plans are not current, there's a lack of procedures for identifying non-compliance, and First Nations are not consistently informed of spills.
- Nearly $14 million in costs from spills remains unrecovered, mainly from the bankrupt Neucel pulp mill, with the government only recovering a fraction of non-Neucel related costs.
- The Ministry of Environment has accepted nine recommendations from the audit, aiming to improve the province's management of hazardous spills.
Key quote:
"The program is designed for there to be consequences, but those responsible for spills don’t comply with the law."
— Michael Pickup, B.C. auditor general
Why this matters:
This audit reveals significant gaps in British Columbia's preparedness and response to such incidents, underlining the need for urgent reforms to safeguard communities and ecosystems from potential disasters. Effective management of hazardous spills is crucial for protecting public health and the environment.
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Health risks from nuclear contamination in St. Louis denounced at congressional hearing
The United States should not expand nuclear energy use, at least until the federal government can make up for the harms caused by previous nuclear projects, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri said at a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
Texas faces growing challenge in plugging abandoned oil wells
Despite receiving federal funds, Texas struggles to keep up with an increasing number of abandoned oil wells; threatening land, water and human health.
- The Texas Railroad Commission's list of wells to be plugged has grown to nearly 8,200, up 3% since August 2022.
- Texas plugged 19,000 wells from 2005 to 2022, but the list of orphan wells increased by 21,000 during the same period.
- Federal funding has helped Texas plug 730 wells, the most in any state, but state funding for well plugging has declined.
Key quote:
“The responsibility should bear mostly on the industry, and maybe the rules do need to change. That’s going to be tough in the current political environment. The oil and gas industry is an important part of the economy.”
— Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, chair of House appropriations subcommittee
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.
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