Hacker NewsMar 6, 2025
The US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide
https://apnews.com/article/us-air-quality-monitors-8270927bbd0f166238243ac9d14bce03
#ycombinator #Air_quality #Donald_Trump #Pakistan #Beijing #United_States_government #General_news #United_States #AP_Top_News #Politics #India_government #U_S_Environmental_Protection_Agency #China_government #Climate_and_environment #Alejandro_Piracoca_Mayorga #Raja_Jahangir #World_news #World_News
Scientists raise concerns as the US stops sharing air quality data from embassies worldwide

The U.S. government’s decision to stop sharing air quality data from embassies and consulates worldwide is worrying some local scientists and experts who say the data was vital for people to be aware of air quality and monitor their government's progress in improving public health. Historical data will remain on an Environmental Protection Agency site, but live data will stay down unless funding is restored. Scientists said the data were reliable, allowed for air quality monitoring and helped prompt governments to clean up the air. The fiscal cut is one of many under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been deprioritizing environmental and climate initiatives.

AP News
 Hacker NewsMar 18, 2024
EPA bans asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still in use decades after partial ban
https://apnews.com/article/epa-asbestos-cancer-brakes-biden-72b0fa8b36adedaff6000034d35c2acd
#ycombinator #Government_regulations #U_S_Environmental_Protection_Agency #Joe_Biden #Public_health #General_news #AP_Top_News #Business #Climate_and_environment #Frank_Lautenberg #Lung_cancer #Politics #Health #Washington_news #Climate
EPA bans asbestos, still in use decades after partial ban

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still used in some chlorine bleach, brake pads and other products. The final rule marks a major expansion of EPA regulation under a landmark 2016 law that overhauled regulations governing tens of thousands of toxic chemicals in everyday products, from household cleaners to clothing and furniture. The new rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only ongoing use of asbestos in the United States. The substance is found in products such as brake linings and gaskets and is used to manufacture chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda. Asbestos exposure is linked to 40,000 U.S. deaths each year.

AP News