Above the fold. News aggregated by www.EnvironmentalHealthNews.org

Don't miss the link to
today's good news

Daily links to top stories in the news about environmental health.

NIEHS Director: "We kind of jump from the proverbial fry pan into the fire" when replacing chemicals. As head of the federal institute examining environmental health, Linda Birnbaum and her staff are taking on many controversial topics, including Bisphenol A and new flame retardants. She is concerned about what role chemicals play in cancer and other diseases. Environmental Health News
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/q-a-with-linda-birnbaum

Effects of judge's Katrina ruling could be huge. The finding that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is liable for much of the flooding during Hurricane Katrina could have a far-reaching effect on flood-control policies and on the government's long-standing refusal to take responsibility for its errors. Los Angeles Times, California. [Registration Required]
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-levee-react20-2009nov20,0,6687085.story

Environmentalists take legal actions to block dredging of Delaware River. Five environmental organizations Thursday filed legal challenges in opposition to the Army Corps of Engineers plan to dredge the Delaware River, which they claimed violates seven federal laws, as well as Delaware law. Newsroom Jersey, New Jersey.
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/science-updates/environmentalists-take-two-legal-actions-to-block-dredging-of-delaware-river

Eco-alchemy in Alberta. There's a roaring debate in Canada about whether tailings ponds, and oil mines in general, are ecologically salvageable—specifically, whether they can ever support the same flora and fauna as undisturbed land. Science [Subscription Required]
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/326/5956/1052

U.S. group sees worsening coastal flooding threat. Fast-melting ice from Greenland and Antarctica will lead to a much sharper rise in sea levels than previously estimated, touching off flooding that will radically alter U.S. East Coast cities from Miami to Baltimore, according to a new study. Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE5AI57O20091119

As smart grid expands, so does vulnerability to cyber attacks. The accelerating deployment of tens of millions of advanced electric meters and other smart grid devices may help fight climate change. But it also could make the nation's power network potentially more vulnerable, the head of the nation's electric grid operations monitor says. ClimateWire
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/11/19/19climatewire-as-smart-grid-expands-so-does-vulnerability-25941.html

Harvard finds kidney stones, malaria among global-warming risks. Kidney stones, malaria, Lyme disease, depression and respiratory illness all may increase with global warming, researchers at Harvard Medical School said. Bloomberg News
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aNxW1iyn095E

Radioactive waste contaminating Canadian water supply: Report. Nuclear facilities and power plants are contaminating local Canadian food and water with radioactive waste that increases risks of cancer and birth defects, says a new report to be released on Friday. Canwest News Service
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Nuclear%20plants%20leaking%20waste%20Report/2245386/story.html

Mexico City's transit improvements on track. Cash-strapped Mexico City is pressing ahead with new bus lines and bike lanes in 2010, buoyed by prestigious recognition for a world-class transit system that has reduced pollution in one of the globe's largest cities with more than 20 million residents and 6 million cars. Associated Press
http://www.heraldonline.com/wire/world/story/1756376.html

Four ways to feed the world. Global population is set to grow to 9.1 billion by 2050, while global warming will have a serious impact on farming. So, what can be done? New Scientist
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427353.500-four-ways-to-feed-the-world.html

Government reintroduces DDT to eradicate Malaria. Malaria remains a huge health challenge in Botswana and has compelled the government to reintroduce the use of DDT. Gaborone Mmegi, Botswana.
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=10&dir=2009/November/Wednesday18

Workers, students exposed to potential toxins at Paramus school. Nearly 100 people affiliated with the West Brook Middle School are suing the school board and the borough, accusing them of knowingly exposing the plaintiffs to potentially toxic chemicals in 2007, according to documents filed in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack. Bergen County Record, New Jersey.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/111909_Suit_Workers_students_knowingly_exposed_to_potential_toxins_at_Paramus_school.html

Owners sue Quadrant Homes over 'sick' houses. Homeowners contend that mold growing in houses built by Quadrant Corp -- flowering, they claim, because rushed construction schedules didn't leave time to dry wet building materials -- is circulated through poorly designed and badly built heating systems, poisoning occupants. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412486_quadrant19.html

Asian carp may have breached barrier. The decade-old battle to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes might be over. New research shows the fish likely have made it past the $9 million electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/70573047.html

EPA intervention in Florida cleanup unwelcome, says DEP. A panel of experts spoke out Monday in opposition to a federal judge's decision allowing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set surface water pollution standards for Florida -- the first time any state's standards have been overridden in this manner. Suwannee Democrat, Florida.
http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/suwannee/local_story_323123409.html

Lawsuit abuse charge by western lawmakers enrages enviro groups. Poor government oversight has allowed advocacy groups to squander taxpayer money on frivolous lawsuits that drain the budgets of federal land management agencies without the knowledge of the public or Congress, a group of Western lawmakers charge. Greenwire
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/11/19/19greenwire-lawsuit-abuse-charge-by-western-lawmakers-enra-54944.html

Average UK woman wears 515 chemicals a day. The average British woman "hosts" 515 chemicals on her body every day, according to a new study. Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE5AI3M820091119

Culture clash in medicine. Two new recommendations, calling for delaying the start and reducing the frequency of screening for breast and cervical cancer, have been met with anger and confusion from some corners, not to mention a measure of political posturing. New York Times [Registration Required]
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/health/20assess.html

More news from today
•>170 more stories today, including:
•More on controversial cancer guidelines
•Climate: 'Corrosive' water harms sea life; Global warming takes a break; Dutch build dunes; Saving rainforests from home with Google
•Stories from UK, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada
•Frack 2, Scene 1
•US stories from NH, CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, GA, AL, MI, IN, MO, MS, OK, TX, CO, UT, NM, CA
•Smoking: Science behind outdoor bans; Africa faces epidemic; Smoke-free public housing?; Campus ban in heart of tobacco country
•Editorials: Hidden poison in San Jacinto; Coffin nails in WV; Mammogram controversy

Shortcuts to stories from today about The good news, Avian flu, Katrina, Climate, Children's health, Air pollution, Cancer, Reproductive disorders, Endocrine disruption, Birth defects, Learning and developmental disabilities, Immune disorders, Environmental justice, Superfund, Water treatment/sewage, Food safety, Integrity of science, Green chemistry.

You can also read last weekend's news.

Plus: If you were on vacation last week, don't miss last week's top stories...

Would you like to display the news stories from EnvironmentalHealthNews.org on your own web site? Check out our RSS feeds.

Compiled by Environmental Health Sciences
421 Park Street, Suite 4 Charlottesville, VA USA 22902
www.EnvironmentalHealthNews.org
feedback@EnvironmentalHealthNews.org

Having problems viewing this e-mail? View the newsletter online.

To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add AboveTheFold@Newsletters.EnvironmentalHealthNews.org to your address book.

If you received this email from a friend and would like to start receiving our newsletter yourself you may subscribe here.

This message was originally sent to aharlib@earthlink.net. You are receiving this e-mail because you have subscribed to receive AboveTheFold. To end your subscription unsubscribe here.