EPA bans consumer use of a toxic chemical widely used as a paint stripper but known to cause cancer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it has finalized a ban on consumer uses of  methylene chloride, a chemical that is widely used as a paint stripper but is known to cause liver cancer and other health problems. The EPA said its action will protect...

EPA bans consumer use of methylene chloride, a toxic chemical used as a paint stripper but known to cause liver cancer

Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health

It’s wine time. Beer Thirty. Happy hour. Five o’clock somewhere. Maybe it's also time to rethink drinking? Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that. “Drinking...

Wisconsin Republicans ignore governor's call to spend $125M to combat 'forever chemicals'

MADISON, Wis . (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans on Tuesday ignored the latest call from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to spend $125 million to combat so-called forever chemicals, leading Evers to say he might sue over the issue. The moves are the latest twist in the ongoing stalemate...

Biden administration sets first-ever limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured. Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent...

Hepatitis C cases dropped in the US. Health officials aren't sure if it's a blip or a trend

NEW YORK (AP) — New U.S. hepatitis C infections dropped slightly in 2022, a surprising improvement after more than a decade of steady increases, federal health officials said Wednesday. Experts are not sure whether the 6% decline is a statistical blip or the start of a downward...

Fast-food wrappers that contain PFAS are no longer sold in the US, the FDA says

Fast-food wrappers and packaging that contain so-called forever chemicals are no longer being sold in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday. It's the result of a voluntary effort with U.S. food manufacturers to phase out food contact packaging made with...

Wisconsin lawmakers OK bill to tackle forever chemicals pollution, but governor isn't on board

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Assembly passed a bill Thursday that would unlock $125 million to help municipalities and landowners cope with pollution from so-called forever chemicals. But Gov. Tony Evers isn't on board. The Senate passed the Republican-authored...

Evers signals he won't sign bill to fight PFAS as legislative session nears end

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signaled Wednesday that he has no intention of signing a Republican bill that would spend tens of millions of dollars to address pollution from the so-called forever chemicals known as PFAS because it dramatically scales back regulators' enforcement...