Tom Perkins

California has canceled its last remaining registration for paraquat, with the highly toxic herbicide to be phased out over two years. The decision follows a 2024 state law requiring a renewed risk review and comes despite paraquat’s continued federal approval and use across millions of acres of US farmland. Regulators cited links to Parkinson’s disease, reproductive harms, birth defects, organ failure and ecological damage, while public-health and farm-worker advocates welcomed the ban. Pesticide manufacturers, including Syngenta, declined to provide updated risk data and instead withdrew their permits; agricultural groups opposed the process. The move makes California the second US state to prohibit paraquat and could increase pressure on the EPA, which is facing an ongoing legal challenge over its failure to ban the substance.

A coalition of 17 environmental groups is urging the EPA to reject Chemours’ application to fast-track Opteon 2P50, a PFAS gas intended for two-phase datacenter cooling. Earthjustice and other advocates argue that Chemours understated the compound’s toxicity and climate risks, relied on inadequate studies and failed to account for leakage and end-of-life disposal. Chemours says the cooling systems are closed-loop and have low emissions, while researchers have raised concerns about the toxicity of TFA, a breakdown product. The EPA’s decision could affect broader industrial and consumer uses of the chemical and test the limits of the Trump administration’s expedited-review policy.

A peer-reviewed Mount Sinai study of 107 mother-child pairs in the United States and Mexico found that prenatal or early-life exposure to mixtures of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ was strongly correlated with elevated fecal calprotectin, a marker of intestinal inflammation, later in childhood. The research followed children for up to 11 years and identified exposures to common compounds such as PFOA and PFOS as well as newer, less-studied chemicals. The findings do not establish a specific disease, and the researchers note that the small sample size is a limitation, but they suggest early exposure may contribute to later inflammatory bowel disease. Experts say the results support stronger policies to reduce PFAS exposure, while recommending measures such as filtration systems and avoiding waterproof or stain-resistant products.

SpaceX, Blue Origin and other technology companies are seeking approval for millions of satellites that would function as orbital datacenters. Environmental groups and former US space officials warn that rocket emissions, satellite disintegration and re-entry could pollute the stratosphere, damage the ozone layer, disrupt climate regulation and intensify light pollution. A petition by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Earthjustice and DarkSky International urges the Federal Communications Commission to pause approvals and conduct reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. The groups argue that company applications fail to address the cumulative consequences of deploying potentially more than a million satellites.

Proposed regulations to limit the use of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge as fertilizer were withdrawn after the Environmental Protection Agency discarded its earlier scientific assessment linking the chemicals to cancer and other health risks. Environmental groups criticized the decision for disregarding documented contamination of farmland, livestock, and food supplies and for shifting responsibility onto the public to identify unsafe sludge products. States such as Maine and Michigan have documented widespread PFAS presence in biosolids, and legal challenges continue over the EPA’s refusal to regulate these chemicals under the Clean Water Act.

Democratic officials accuse Donald Trump and his administration of delaying the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge to benefit billionaire donor Matthew Moroun, owner of the competing Ambassador Bridge. The postponement, resolved only after a new US-Canada agreement, prompted investigations and bipartisan criticism over concerns of political favoritism and economic harm. The dispute unfolds amid broader US-Canada trade tensions and becomes a weapon in Michigan’s 2026 election campaigns, with Democrats charging that Trump’s actions threaten the state’s economy and auto industry.

Trump administration appointees to the EPA’s science advisory committee on chemicals are accused by public health groups of having significant industry ties and financial conflicts of interest that could shape reviews of toxic chemicals. Several proposed members, including employees of major chemical producers and long‑time industry‑aligned consultants, are linked to firms that could benefit from regulatory rollbacks. Critics warn that the appointments threaten the committee’s impartiality and integrity, while the EPA maintains that previous industry experience does not constitute a conflict under federal law.

Climate change–driven loss of sea ice and food sources is causing a catastrophic mortality event among Pacific gray whales, with the population falling from 20,000 in 2019 to under 13,000 in 2026. Conservation groups petition the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to relist the species under the Endangered Species Act, citing starvation, ship strikes, pollution, and Russian hunting as major contributors. Experts warn the pace of environmental change may exceed the whales' ability to adapt. Advocacy groups say they will sue if the administration rejects the petition, while states like California implement voluntary ship speed reductions to reduce whale deaths.

A nonprofit analysis shows US chemical accidents have risen more than 50% since 2021 as the Trump administration moves to dismantle federal safety protections strengthened in 2024. Major incidents in California and Washington highlight growing risks tied to aging industrial infrastructure. Experts warn that eliminating safety rules, reducing transparency, and defunding the Chemical Safety Board shift danger onto workers and nearby communities, with little ability to halt upcoming regulatory rollbacks expected to take effect by fall. About 40% of Americans live near high‑risk chemical facilities, heightening concerns over preventable disasters.

The US Food and Drug Administration rejected a petition seeking mandatory limits for PFAS chemicals in food despite scientific evidence and EPA findings that food is the largest source of exposure. The Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force plans to sue, arguing regulators have prioritized water standards while ignoring significant contamination in seafood, milk, produce and other foods. Independent testing has revealed widespread PFAS presence, including high levels in certain commercial brands and foods grown near contaminated sites. Critics say the FDA’s limited testing and changes to its methodology obscure the full scale of contamination and fail to protect public health.

Research from Mt Sinai indicates that early-life exposure to PM2.5 disrupts impulse control in children, creating a pathway linking air pollution to obesity. Modeling data from a cohort of children in Mexico City, the study found that higher pollution exposure during the first year of life correlates with increased impulsivity and higher body fat between ages four and eight. Experts say the findings strengthen evidence supporting tighter air quality regulations. While air filtration systems can reduce indoor exposure, researchers emphasize that policy action is necessary to address the broader public health risks posed by PM2.5.

Critics argue that the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act would fail to shield US consumers from rising electricity and infrastructure costs driven by rapid datacenter expansion. Although promoted as a consumer protection measure, the bill’s largely voluntary provisions allow state utility commissions to disregard its guidelines while offering advantages that accelerate datacenter development. Advocacy groups warn that the legislation overlooks cumulative environmental, water, and infrastructure impacts and reduces federal environmental review, further enabling big tech growth. Opponents contend that utilities and datacenter companies benefit while ratepayers face higher costs and limited regulatory safeguards.

Rising US vehicle prices and consumer demand for larger, feature‑rich cars are limiting the growth of affordable electric vehicles while China surges ahead with low‑cost models. Slate Auto’s new budget electric truck offers a rare low‑price option in the US but becomes costly with add‑ons, while Chinese manufacturers like BYD sell feature‑rich EVs at a fraction of the price. Analysts warn that US manufacturers risk losing ground in a key global industry and argue that expanding affordable EV options is essential for competitiveness and national security.

Blood tests from East Palestine residents exposed to the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment show signs of chronic inflammation and immune system activity consistent with ongoing response to toxic chemical exposure. A University of Kentucky pilot study found elevated red blood cells, hemoglobin, inflammatory markers and tissue-repair proteins, alongside reduced infection-fighting cells, suggesting continued physiological stress. Residents closer to the derailment site showed more pronounced markers, while others farther away exhibited no abnormalities. Researchers caution the findings do not confirm illness or establish causation but highlight gaps in knowledge about immune responses to chemical exposures. Concerns persist over long-term effects of vinyl chloride and other pollutants released after the controlled burn conducted to avoid an explosion.

A Harvard-led study of 325 mother-daughter pairs in the Boston area finds that higher prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with increased likelihood of developing polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome and moderate-to-severe acne during adolescence. The findings strengthen evidence linking PFAS chemicals to hormonal disruption, though researchers caution that the small and demographically narrow sample limits conclusions. Certain PFAS compounds, including N‑EtFOSAA and PFNA, show especially strong associations with disease risk. Experts highlight the difficulty of avoiding PFAS due to their widespread use but recommend reducing exposure through choices about textiles, stain guards and food preparation.

Datacenters are driving a surge in US clean energy development as demand for electricity skyrockets, prompting major tech companies to invest in their own solar, wind, battery and fuel‑cell infrastructure. Despite this boost to renewables, utilities are expanding or maintaining fossil‑fuel plants to meet rising datacenter loads, undermining climate goals. Clean energy stocks have rebounded after years of decline, benefiting from datacenter demand and falling renewable technology costs, though gains are uneven across sectors. Tech companies are prioritizing fast deployment of power sources, including natural gas and fuel cells, as grid connections face delays of up to 12 years. Analysts warn that future energy demand is uncertain, but investors suggest sustainable energy companies are well positioned even if AI‑driven growth slows.

The Trump administration rescinded long-standing Nixon and Carter-era restrictions on off-road vehicle access to public lands, prompting strong warnings from conservation groups that expanded vehicle access will damage sensitive ecosystems, threaten endangered species, and increase dangerous human-wildlife interactions. Critics argue the move continues a broader effort to weaken environmental protections across public lands, while agencies prepare to open millions of additional acres to motorized access. Environmental advocates plan to monitor the forthcoming rule-making process and consider legal action if necessary.

State bans in California and New York have sharply reduced intentionally added PFAS in clothing and textiles, with about 80% of tested products meeting legal limits. Major brands have shifted toward PFAS-free alternatives ahead of the rules taking effect, although some manufacturers still exceed thresholds, particularly in categories such as diapers, outdoor furniture and pet products. Residual PFAS contamination persists due to widespread industrial use, complicating efforts to eliminate the chemicals entirely. Enforcement mechanisms and market pressure are expected to push remaining companies to transition away from PFAS use.

Research on breast milk samples from Seattle mothers detected high levels of multiple endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including BPA, BPS, triclosan and melamine, posing risks to infant development. The findings highlight widespread chemical contamination driven by extensive industrial use and insufficient regulation. Researchers stress that breastfeeding remains safest but emphasize that consumers cannot avoid exposure through purchasing decisions alone. The study’s release coincides with efforts by the Trump-era EPA and Congress to weaken chemical regulations, prompting calls for stronger protections to prevent worsening health impacts.

Roughly half of California waterways tested by regulators contain PFAS pesticides, according to a new analysis of state and federal records. The findings show widespread contamination in agricultural regions and confirm concerns that extensive PFAS pesticide use is polluting drinking water sources. Regulators detected PFAS in sediments and found high concentrations in counties such as Monterey and San Luis Obispo. The review coincided with the failure of a proposed statewide ban on PFAS pesticides, though lawmakers approved a moratorium on new PFAS pesticides, expanded local authority to limit their use, and new warning requirements for farmers. Advocates argue that health risks are underestimated due to regulatory gaps, while agricultural industry groups say stricter limits would harm farmers economically. The legislation now moves to the state senate.

Independent experts and public health advocates warn that U.S. garbage incinerators are failing to destroy PFAS chemicals, placing low-income communities at risk despite industry claims of dramatic emissions reductions. A Minnesota industry report asserting 99.6% PFAS destruction is challenged for poor data, misleading language and inadequate testing, with critics arguing the facilities likely release numerous unmeasured and still‑toxic PFAS by‑products. Advocacy groups highlight gaps in health standards, insufficient toxicity data, and combined exposure risks from multiple pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency has expressed low confidence in incineration as a PFAS control method, and the findings are expected to intensify ongoing battles over closures and stricter regulation of waste‑burning facilities.

The Trump administration moved to eliminate Biden-era PFAS drinking water limits while promoting large-scale PFAS destruction technologies that experts say do not yet exist in effective industrial form. Advocates warn the approach mirrors flawed carbon‑capture strategies, providing the appearance of action while enabling continued pollution. Scientists and public health experts argue that current destruction methods often fail and can create harmful byproducts, and that industry stands to profit from expensive and unreliable technologies. Critics contend that removing regulations will worsen widespread PFAS contamination affecting millions of Americans’ health.

A University of Michigan student filed a federal lawsuit alleging the university and private investigators conducted illegal undercover surveillance, intimidation and retaliatory actions in response to his pro-Palestinian activism. The suit claims investigators falsified reports, manipulated police documents, staged incidents and facilitated wrongful arrests, leading to repeated violations of the student’s constitutional rights. Charges tied to the incidents were later dropped after questions of bias and prosecutorial motives emerged. The case is part of a growing wave of legal actions by students nationwide alleging civil rights violations during university crackdowns on Gaza-related protests.