Media Reviews
EHS scientists and fellows critique media coverage.
Readers may be left in the dark.
An article in the London Telegraph covers innovative new research on use of cleaning products and breast cancer risk, but a factual error and lack of context may hinder readers’ ability to make sense of it.
Educator advises on risks, precautions of 'fracking' mining.
A recent article in TribLive News draws attention to potential water contamination associated with hydraulic fracturing mining and suggests ways land owners can determine if contamination occurs.
BPA exposures, effects deserve more careful look.
A story in the U.K.'s Daily Mail alerts readers to an important source of chemical exposure, but ignores the most serious risks.
Don't omit health effects of pesticide.
A Los Angeles Times article focuses on fraud related to a dismissed court case between Dole Food Company and banana plantation workers, but never mentions that the pesticide in question is a known reproductive toxicant.
Reporter's extra effort is a home run.
An excellent report in the Los Angeles Times on contamination of free-range chicken eggs includes crucial information on conflict-of-interest.
Significance of dioxin understated.
An Associated Press article misses details on the health effects of Agent Orange.
Reporter messes up facts and misses drug exposures.
A reporter misrepresents new science data and misses the opportunity to highlight human exposures in a Chemical and Engineering News article.
Stick to facts about glue toxicity.
An article in the London Telegraph misinforms readers about the toxicity of glues used on food packaging labels.
Include low level BPA studies.
An article from Reuters discusses concerns about exposure to low levels of BPA from canned goods yet only covers effects of high doses of BPA on developing rodents, failing to mention the hundreds of studies that find adverse effects from low, environmentally relevant exposures.
Lost in the hubbub: Many products with unlisted toxic ingredients.
A Mother Jones article reminds readers that toxic chemicals are rampant in common household cleansers but rarely revealed in ingredient lists.
Don't overlook organic diet.
An Omaha World-Herald article gives tips about avoiding the health risks of pesticides but neglects research showing that an organic diet virtually eliminates them from the body.
Informative article describes backlash against dubious "green" labels.
The Wall Street Journal provides an in-depth look at a recent controversy over "green" labeling in the United States.
Health, ecosystem effects of rotenone ignored.
Articles in the Chicago Tribune and the Tahoe Daily Tribune report on use of rotenone to kill invasive fish species, and both leave out human health and ecosystem concerns associated with the poison.
Plastic from algae: How green?
A story in Discovery News on new algae-based plastic highlights green benefits but misses the challenges.
TSCA taken to task in well-rounded broadcast.
A report on National Public Radio's Living on Earth cleverly intertwines comments from chemical industry officials, environmental activists and legislators to shed light on the need for toxic chemical regulation reform. The need to also update testing is neglected, though.
Broadcast focuses on misinformed messages about the dangers of men's personal care products.
A report for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network on efforts to educate men about chemicals in their personal care products alerts them to an important issue, but leaves them misinformed about the specific dangers.
Story misses bigger picture of nitrate exposure, cancers.
A Reuters article that reports on a study finding an increased risk of ovarian cancer from eating processed meats that contain nitrates and nitrates should have specified the other cancers associated with exposure to the chemicals.
Story on animal testing confuses plastics issues.
The Valley Vanguard draws attention to some interesting fronts in endocrine disruption, but confuses issues related to plastics and chemical additives.
Story shines light on new, but controversial, degradable plastic.
An article in The Telegraph is one of the few media stories to focus on the ongoing controversy about so-called 'oxo-degradable plastics.'
Food fraud impacts health as well as wallet.
The Washington Post draws attention to an important issue concerning improper – or blatantly false – food labeling. A larger issue not covered is that mislabeled food may actually represent a health and safety issue for consumers.
