Articles by Grist staff

Some Easter trinkets test high for lead in small study

If you’re the Easter-trinket-buying type, beware: some pastel gewgaws may have high levels of lead, according to testing done by students at Ohio’s Ashland University. Of 45 Easter-themed spinning tops, hair clips, sippy cups, and plastic eggs purchased at the fun-to-say Hobby Lobby, 13 exceeded the federal standards for lead in paint. But that shouldn’t […]

House committee to investigate EPA panel members’ conflicts of interest

A House committee has opened an investigation into possible conflicts of interest concerning members of U.S. EPA expert panels that advise the agency on matters such as banning or restricting the use of certain toxic chemicals. The EPA stirred up controversy last year when it dismissed a toxicologist from a panel that was reviewing the […]

Saab commercial features Lolita the killer whale

On the heels of my short mention of the campaign to free Lolita, producer (and campaign spokesperson) Raul Julia-Levy called today to point me to a Saab commercial that features video of Lolita in “her stinky little tank.” It’s a tear-jerker; break out the hankies:

Ship pilot charged in San Francisco oil spill

The pilot of the ship that spilled more than 50,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay in November has been charged with criminal negligence, harming federally protected birds, and violating the Clean Water Act. If found guilty, Capt. John Cota could face up to 18 months in jail and more than $100,000 in […]