Earlier this week, the news broke that those reusable bags we've all be toting around, in hopes of bettering the environment, might not be so green after all. But despite Senator Chuck Schumer's investigation into the possibility of these bags containing potentially harmful lead levels, New Yorkers seem relatively unconcerned. more ›

Thought you were doing something good by using reusable grocery bags? Think again! Senator Chuck Schumer is looking to launch a federal investigation following a report that lead has been discovered in some of these bags. He is contacting the FDA, the EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the bags, which are sold nationwide; he hopes to have the bags banned immediately. more ›

The AP reports, "New York City officials have detected elevated lead levels in the water. They are telling New Yorkers to run their taps for 30 seconds before drinking water, cooking with it or using it to make baby formula. The Department of Environmental Protection monitors water inside homes that have lead plumbing and fixtures, typically found in buildings more than 40 years old." The EPA requires local utilities to take action if 10% or more tested building have lead levels greater than 15 parts per billion, and in NYC, 30 of 222 tested buildings (14%) had higher levels. What does this mean for bagels? more ›

A top city lead and asbestos inspector pleaded guilty today to filing false reports that several NYC buildings were toxic-free without actually conducting any tests. Saverio "Sam" Todaro, owner of SAF Environmental Corp. of Queens, admitted that he copied official documents and forged the signatures of lab employees for at least seven buildings between 2005 and 2008. According to the Post, some of the buildings were tied in to a city-run, affordable housing program. more ›

Today City Council is hearing arguments for a bill that would prohibit the use of artificial rubber in all city playgrounds and fields. The bill comes on the heels of the temporary shutdown of Thomas Jefferson Park, a soccer field at 113th Street and First Avenue where five times more lead than the Environmental Protection Agency allows in playground soil was discovered in December. Advocates of the bill say that dangerous amount of toxins are contained in the "tire crumbs" that make up the turf. Co-sponsor of the legislation Councilman Eric Giola said yesterday, "You wouldn't let your children play in a junkyard, but many of the same chemicals are in this material." The Parks Department says that Thomas Jefferson Park is an aberration, possibly caused by coal that was there in years past. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe adds that grass parks may not actually be more environmentally conscious when you factor in the pesticides, herbicides, aeration and millions of gallons of water that go into maintaining them. more ›