What is “acid rain” and what causes it?
Dear EarthTalk: What is "acid rain" and what causes it?
Dear EarthTalk: How can I recycle my old propane gas tank that can no longer be refilled?
EarthTalk Q&A
How can I recycle my old propane gas tank that can no longer be refilled?
If you have an older propane gas tank that has been denied refilling by a retailer, it is probably because it lacks an Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD). As of April 2002, the National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) safety code requires an OPD on every propane tank that holds between four and 40 pounds of the gas
I would like my children to start eating organic foods. Are there any organic products that young children would enjoy?
A recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that each day more than one million children ages five and under ingest unsafe levels of pesticides from food consumed at home.
What has been causing holes in the Earth’s ozone layer and what is being done about it?
Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), of which there are many variations, are the prime culprits in the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
Are there any car-free cities in the world?
Since the dawn of the automobile age, residents of urban areas worldwide have been choking on exhaust fumes and tempting fate every time they enter a crosswalk. According to J.H. Crawford, author of the book, Carfree Cities, as much as 70 percent of downtown space in most
Is there a way to wash the pesticides off fruits and vegetables before we eat them?
Many fruits and vegetables sold in the United States today are treated with pesticides, and residues of these potentially harmful chemicals often remain on their surfaces. Rinsing all produce thoroughly before eating is always a good idea, but many pesticides, fungicides and other agricultural
I have developed asthma from the fiberglass insulation in our home
Fiberglass, a common home insulator that grew popular after the dangers of asbestos became more widely known, is itself now associated with a range of health issues. Microscopic slivers of fiberglass can break loose during handling and be inhaled, irritating the lining of the respiratory
Are there environmentally friendlier ways to de-ice pavement besides using salt?
Although salt and various salt derivatives melt ice effectively and make both walkways and roads safer, they can be damaging to the environment. After salt is applied, it washes off paved surfaces into storm drains or onto adjacent ground,
Is it true that coastal development contributed to greater loss
The tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia in December was a natural catastrophe triggered by a massive undersea earthquake. But rampant coastal development in recent years—which removed the mangrove forests and coral reefs that had previously
Is it true that coastal development contributed to greater loss of life from the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster?
The tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia in December was a natural catastrophe triggered by a massive undersea earthquake. But rampant coastal development in recent years—which removed the mangrove forests