Public health

September 30, 2009 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today reasserted its concerns about the potential environmental harm that would be caused by the issuance of dozens of new mountaintop removal coal mining permits in Appalachia.

The EPA, which announced on September 11, 2009 that all 79 of the mountaintop removal coal mining permits currently under agency review would violate the Clean Water Act, today formally announced that it would conduct an enhanced review of all 79 permits.

In response Mary Anne Hitt, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign, issued the following statement:    » read more »

Sept. 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, eleven public health and consumer advocacy organizations filed a friend of the court (amicus) brief asking a federal court to reject a lawsuit by R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard and other tobacco companies that seeks to block key provisions of the new federal law regulating tobacco products. The immediate issue before the court is the industry’s challenge of a provision that requires FDA approval before tobacco companies can make claims about “modified risk tobacco products.”

The tobacco companies have also challenged other marketing restrictions in the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which authorizes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products.    » read more »

Implications for Public Health and Social Justice Outlined in New Report

September, 2009 -- Global warming is making hot days hotter, rainfall and flooding heavier, storms stronger, and droughts more severe. As the Senate prepares to take up clean energy legislation, the National Wildlife Federation, Harvard Medical School, the NAACP, and the Apollo Alliance hosted a Congressional briefing today to emphasize the public health and social justice issues that any legislation must address.    » read more »

September 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today lauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of new chemical safety principles as an important breakthrough for public health in America.

Lautenberg, a leader in the Senate on improving chemical safety, is preparing legislation that would put the burden on chemical companies to provide data to the EPA so that Americans can be assured the chemicals they are exposed to are safe.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- Today, President Obama announced the United States will continue to act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic 2009-H1N1 influenza virus and is prepared to make 10 percent of its H1N1 vaccine supply available to other countries through the World Health Organization (WHO).

In recognition that diseases know no borders and that the health of the American people is inseparable from the health of people around the world, the United States is taking this action in concert with Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- In a statewide conference call today, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell updated local health and chief elected officials on the state’s efforts in monitoring the growing number of mosquitoes carrying the potentially deadly Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus.

The virus has been identified in mosquitoes trapped in a number of towns, mostly in rural eastern Connecticut. The Governor was joined on the call by her state commissioners of Environmental Protection, Public Health, Agriculture, Emergency Management and Homeland Security and experts from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.    » read more »

Greater Protections Safeguard Citizens from Tainted Water Following Crestwood Well Contamination

CHICAGO – August 23, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill to help ensure Illinois citizens have safe drinking water and prevent future incidents like the water contamination discovered earlier this year in Crestwood.

“The people of Illinois have a right to know when their water could be contaminated,” said Governor Quinn. “This bill helps prevent terrible incidents like what happened in Crestwood from happening again.”    » read more »

July 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that six Native American communities in New Mexico will share nearly $5 million for water improvements. Funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Health Service.

“This nearly $5 million investment of stimulus funding will be used to improve water infrastructure in six communities in New Mexico. It will create good jobs in the short term, and provide long-lasting quality of life improvements in communities where they are badly needed,” Bingaman said.    » read more »

Sierra Club and allies requested disclosure via FOIA on June 19

June 29, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released information regarding the locations of 44 "high hazard potential" coal combustion waste facilities (or coal ash impoundments), previously kept a secret from the public. On June 19, 2009, Sierra Club and its allies filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to force EPA to make these sites known to the public.

Coal ash impoundments were placed on the list based on the potential for harm to surrounding communities in the event of an accident, but at the request of the Department of Homeland Security and the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA previously refused to release the information.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded President Obama for signing into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Senator Murray voted for the bill on June 11th, which passed the Senate 79-17. This law provides the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the authority to regulate tobacco products, protect families and consumers, and help smokers overcome their addiction.    » read more »

Remarks By The President At The Signing Of The Family Smoking Prevention And Tobacco Control Act

June 22, 2009 -- Rose Garden -- THE PRESIDENT: Please, everybody, have a seat -- have a seat. I am thrilled to be here for what is I think an extraordinary accomplishment by this Congress, a bill we're about to sign into law.    » read more »

American Lung Association Poised to Help Smokers Quit

June 22, 2009 -- Statement of Stephen J. Nolan, American Lung Association National Board Chair:

Today, President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (HR 1256) marking a historic day in our fight against lung disease. Finally, after a two-decade long battle, the American Lung Association can join our public health partners in heralding in the day when tobacco companies can no longer prey on America’s kids with deceitful advertising and candy flavored cigarettes.    » read more »

“Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act” promotes disease prevention and healthy lifestyles

June 22, 2009 -- Statement of J. James Rohack, MD, AMA President:

“As long-time advocates for strong regulation of the tobacco industry, the AMA is honored to stand with President Obama today as he signs the historic tobacco law. Today’s historic bill signing is a victory for public health over Big Tobacco.    » read more »

The NAACP wants you to get tested

June 22, 2009 -- Through the ACT Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI), the NAACP has renewed its commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The AAALI seeks to integrate interventions into existing programs within longstanding traditional African American organizations. Similarly, the NAACP seeks to educate, empower, and mobilize all members and constituents about the importance of getting tested.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today applauded President Barack Obama for signing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law. As New Mexico Attorney General, Udall successfully sued the tobacco industry and in Congress has been a strong proponent of legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products. Click here to see his speech from the Senate floor, urging passage of this bill.

“After more than a decade of fighting to protect children from tobacco,” said Udall, “I am pleased that this law paves the way for commonsense regulation of this dangerous product.”    » read more »