Articles by Grist staff

One in three toys tested has worrisome levels of toxic chemicals, group says

A study of some 1,500 popular children’s toys sold in the United States found that one in three tested contained “medium” to “high” levels of a range of toxic chemicals including arsenic, lead, mercury, and others, according to green group the Ecology Center. “Our hope is that by empowering consumers with this information, manufacturers and […]

Human-caused noises in oceans messing with wildlife, experts say

Loud noises in the world’s oceans, caused by ships, powerful sonar, and oil and gas exploration, are negatively affecting a range of sea critters, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and others, according to a report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Increased noise levels have not only been scaring animals and shortening the distance […]

U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions up 1.4 percent in 2007

U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions hit 8 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2007, up 1.4 percent from the year before and up about 16.7 percent from 1990 levels, according to the Energy Information Administration. The agency said much of the increase was due to two main factors: “unfavorable weather conditions, which increase demand for heating […]

Judge orders Duke Energy coal plant to comply with Clean Air Act

In what environmentalists are calling a precedent-setting case that closes a perceived loophole in the Clean Air Act, a federal judge has ordered utility Duke Energy to conduct a formal assessment of its under-construction Cliffside Stream coal-fired power plant to make sure it will be using the best-available technology to curb its mercury emissions.