Environmental

Recent Posts

Statistics, a weak link in environmental, medical, & toxicological studies?
Posted on 10 Nov 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Statistics are used throughout science both by those proposing a conclusion and those opposed to said conclusion. Statistics form the basis for a wide variety of claims made about environmental, medical, and toxicological matters. I would even go so... Read More

BPA exposure may be underestimated because of laboratory method used
Posted on 14 Jun 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have discussed various animal studies that have reported the potential for adverse impacts from BPA exposure, as well as the controversial conclusions of FDA under President Bush in assessing the risk of such exposure to humans. Recently... Read More

What is third-hand tobacco smoke and is it dangerous?
Posted on 26 Feb 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

In general terms, the phrase "third-hand tobacco smoke" ("THS") refers to the tobacco particulates and gas that get on clothes, in hair, etc. You have smelled it when you approach a smoker, even if they are smoking at that time. Technically... Read More

Flame retardants found in butter
Posted on 10 Dec 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Researchers found very high levels of the flame retardant PBDE in one of ten samples of butter. The researchers believe the butter wrapper was the source of contamination, and they speculate that Deca-PBDE, which is being phased out of U.S. production... Read More

EPA adds 16 chemicals, each reasonably anticipated to be carcinogenic, to the TRI inventory requirements
Posted on 10 Dec 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

On November 26, 2010, EPA finalized a rule, which became effective on November 30, 2010, that adds 16 chemicals to the TRI list of reportable chemicals. This is the first TRI program chemical expansion in over a decade. Each chemical added has been classified... Read More

BPA exposure may be underestimated because of laboratory method used
Posted on 14 Jun 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have discussed various animal studies that have reported the potential for adverse impacts from BPA exposure, as well as the controversial conclusions of FDA under President Bush in assessing the risk of such exposure to humans. Recently... Read More

Lead and cadmium may delay the onset of puberty in girls
Posted on 18 Dec 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Violation of lead and cadmium standards are often used in litigation under California's Proposition 65 because the threshold warning level, based on "reproductive toxicity", requires the potential ingestion of very small amounts. The general... Read More

Silver nanoparticles are transformed by sewage treatment
Posted on 18 Dec 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted a number of issues related to nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles are used in hundreds of consumer products, including food storage containers, clothing, computer keyboards, cosmetics, pillows, cell phones, and medical appliances... Read More

Statistics, a weak link in environmental, medical, & toxicological studies?
Posted on 10 Nov 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Statistics are used throughout science both by those proposing a conclusion and those opposed to said conclusion. Statistics form the basis for a wide variety of claims made about environmental, medical, and toxicological matters. I would even go so... Read More