Competing visions for a famed river in a Midwest hotspot—Part 1

This 2-part series explores two projects on Michigan's Grand River and how a fast-growing region is struggling to define a relationship with the river it was built around.

    
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    Attention Pittsburgh — Let's talk PFAS

    Peter Dykstra: Acid heroes

    NY seeks to be first state requiring ingredient labeling on menstrual products

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    PFAS contamination is likely at Pittsburgh airport. Airports may face legal challenges by doing nothing.

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    Competing visions for a famed river in a Midwest hotspot—Part 1

    Attention Pittsburgh — Let's talk PFAS

    Peter Dykstra: Acid heroes

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Members of the 171st Air Refueling Wing Fire Department conduct training on July 7, 2007, on the Air National Guard base near Pittsburgh International Airport. Firefighting foam has been one of the largest sources of PFAS contamination. (U.S. Air Force photo taken by MSgt. Stacey Barkey)

Former firefighters describe how they used foam with PFAS chemicals at Pittsburgh's airport for decades

The foam, required by the Federal Aviation Administration, contains chemicals that are harmful and don't break down. Former firefighters say the foam was used liberally and rarely cleaned up.

Credit: Ryan McGuire/Pixabay

How toxic PFAS chemicals could be making their way into food from Pennsylvania farms

The chemicals—linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis—have been detected in a type of fertilizer used on farms throughout the state.

Steve Sawyer in a GP Zodiac, c. 1982 . (Credit: Greenpeace International)

Peter Dykstra: Leaving a hero’s footprint on Earth

Whether or not you've heard of my friend Steve Sawyer, here's how he touched your life.

Great kiskadee entangled by a fishing line (Paraná River floodplain, Argentina; Credit C. Machado)

Freshwater is getting neglected when it comes to plastic pollution research

"The oceans are the heart of the planetary ecosystem. But the arteries are all the freshwater."

Delores Leonard of Detroit holding up an air pollution analysis. (Credit: Adam Reinhardt)

Researchers hand Michigan officials a tool to remedy environmental injustice. Will they use it?

"Other states are trying to identify [at risk] areas … this is the time for Michigan to do the same."

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Mackinac Bridge. (Credit: Dane/flickr)

“Forever chemical” replacements on the rise in the Great Lakes

Yet another game of toxic whack-a-mole—this time with PFAS chemicals. Phased-out compounds are decreasing in the Great Lakes, but replacements keep showing up.

Credit: WWF Malaysia/William Joseph

Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans

Researchers find population declines continue in fragmented forests near palm oil plantations. The good news? Forest protection works.

Corals in American Samoa region that survived a 2015 bleaching event. (Credit: Stephen Palumbi)

“A friend is gone:” Handpicking hardy corals to save them from warming waters

As warming waters and acidification threaten corals around the world, scientists are gathering clues to save the charismatic colonies and bolster biodiversity

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Nutrient runoff starves corals in the Florida Keys

Too much nitrogen killed off corals in the Keys, and, as reefs suffer around the world, this new research offers lessons learned in Florida that could save other nutrient-loaded corals

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This 2-part series explores two projects on Michigan's Grand River and how a fast-growing region is struggling to define a relationship with the river it was built around.

Latest From Our Newsroom

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Stories near you

"I really was just doing my job as a journalist."

The foam, required by the Federal Aviation Administration, contains chemicals that are harmful and don't break down. Former firefighters say the foam was used liberally and rarely cleaned up.

The chemicals—linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis—have been detected in a type of fertilizer used on farms throughout the state.

We're discovering new environmental menaces faster than we're solving the old ones.

"We are entering a world where history is an unreliable guide for decision-making"

EHN.org launches new map and "Smart Search" to better access its reporting archive; thousands of stories available

Whether or not you've heard of my friend Steve Sawyer, here's how he touched your life.

"The oceans are the heart of the planetary ecosystem. But the arteries are all the freshwater."

Kristina Marusic's air pollution coverage recognized by the Society of Environmental Journalists

"Other states are trying to identify [at risk] areas … this is the time for Michigan to do the same."

Our free newsletter Into the Plasticene puts insightful news about the world's growing plastic pollution problem in your inbox every Monday. Subscribe today.

Some new, lowbrow basic-cable comedy? Don't you wish.

"Replacing BPA with similar chemicals does nothing to mitigate the harms chemical exposure has on our health"

Yet another game of toxic whack-a-mole—this time with PFAS chemicals. Phased-out compounds are decreasing in the Great Lakes, but replacements keep showing up.

Billionaire Tom Steyer could make real progress on climate action. Instead he joined the circus.

Researchers find population declines continue in fragmented forests near palm oil plantations. The good news? Forest protection works.

As warming waters and acidification threaten corals around the world, scientists are gathering clues to save the charismatic colonies and bolster biodiversity

Too much nitrogen killed off corals in the Keys, and, as reefs suffer around the world, this new research offers lessons learned in Florida that could save other nutrient-loaded corals

With his normal Shakespearean aplomb, the president rattles off a list of his green credentials.

Farmers around the world are increasingly relying on pollinators—but not providing the crop diversity bees and other insects need to thrive

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