The European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament have reached agreement on a new Directive that addresses the risks of major accidents from offshore oil and gas operations in EU waters.

Mere days after an agreement that seemed to bring fracking forces and fracking foes together, some environmental groups are crying foul.

Now that President Obama has made his nomination for the top post at the EPA official, anticipation is mounting over whether or not she’ll face Congressional opposition – or more accurately, how much Congressional opposition she’ll face – during the confirmation process.

Chemicals used to treat drinking water for millions of Americans may raise the risk of cancer and lead to other unintended health hazards, according to a report released today by the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization.

Low levels of two common metals may contribute to hearing loss, according to a study published recently in Environmental Health Perspectives. Researchers found that lead and cadmium – even at levels below national workplace standards set by OSHA – can damage hearing.

Introduction: When many people think about carbon emissions, they assume that cars and other motorized vehicles are the main culprits. However, building construction uses 30 percent of all raw materials consumed in this country and 12 percent of all available potable water – 15 trillion gallons each year. This level of water consumption is ultimately unsustainable, given that the United Nations World Water Development Report 3, issued in 2009, states that one-third of the world’s population already lacks access to clean water.

BP Exploration and Production Inc. pleaded guilty today to 14 criminal counts for its illegal conduct leading to and after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, and was sentenced to pay $4 billion in criminal fines and penalties, the largest criminal resolution in U.S. history, Attorney General Holder announced today.

A report on the health of children as it relates to the environment shows that fewer U.S. children are being exposed to lead, tobacco smoke and air pollution, but more are developing asthma.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has released the updated Consultants Listing, a searchable print and online directory of its consultant members. Consumers can search for industrial hygienists and other occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals by state and specialty.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) announces the publication of eight new textbooks edited by Joel M. Haight, PhD., PE for college and university students. Developed from one of ASSE’s most popular technical publications, The Safety Professional’s Handbook, Second Edition these peer-reviewed texts, written by safety, health and environmental professionals, are intended as primary texts for core safety, health and environmental undergraduate courses.