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May 5, 2008

Gavel Comes Down on EPA Regulations

Courts find string of Bush Administration's Clean Air Act rules unlawful.

Court Castigation

Fairy tales and judicial opinions.

» Government & Policy Concentrates

May 5, 2008

U.S. sues railroad for environmental damage — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking thousands of dollars in penalties from Norfolk Southern Railway for environmental damage that resulted from a deadly 2005 train wreck and chemical spill in South Carolina.

Congress looks at Heparin failures — Baxter International's recalled blood-thinner heparin appears to have been intentionally contaminated with a similar, but cheaper, chemical, the company's top executive told a congressional panel last week.

Combustible dust bill passed by House — In the wake of a sugar plant explosion in February that killed 13 workers and injured scores more, the House passed legislation on April 30 requiring OSHA to quickly institute a mandatory regulatory program for combustible dust in all industrial settings.

Deadline set for Polar bear status — A federal court last week gave the Bush Administration until May 15 to decide whether the polar bear should be protected as a threatened species.

Nano-biointeractions need more study — A coordinated global research effort is needed to predict how engineered nanoparticles will interact with biological systems, concludes a new assessment from the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON).

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April 28, 2008

Trade Agenda Imperiled

Congress defies White House bid to expand markets for U.S. exporters.

Protecting Consumers

Bills enhance consumer product safety agency's clout.

» Government & Policy Concentrates

April 28, 2008

FDA Faulted For Lax Oversight OF Foreign Drugs — Lawmakers sharply criticized the Bush Administration last week for not doing enough to protect Americans from tainted medicine and food produced overseas.

Security Rule Targets Foreign Investments — The Treasury Department has proposed regulations to implement a new law tightening national security reviews of foreign investments in energy companies and other strategic U.S. businesses.

Smog Linked To Premature Death — When EPA sets an air quality standard for ozone, it needs to consider that this pollutant likely contributes to premature deaths, the National Research Council says in a new report.

Fee Hike For Student Visas — The Department of Homeland Security plans to raise the fees that visiting international students must pay, according to a notice in the April 21 Federal Register.

Nanotech Risk Studies Lack Support — In 2006, the U.S. spent half as much money on research into the potential risks of nanotechnology as Europe did, says an analysis by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.

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The latest environmental science and technology news

May 7, 2008

Would you like that book in paper or plastic?

Electronic book readers save paper, but can a piece of plastic really be better for the environment? ES&T reporter Erika Engelhaupt is determined—very determined—to find out.

More ES&T News | ES&T NewsFeed

» Homeland Security

Current coverage includes chemical plant security, the Department of Homeland Security including it's research and development, and application in various international theaters.