Trouble in Toyland 2023
Threats stem from toys with microphones, cameras and trackers, as well as recalled toys, water beads, counterfeits and Meta Quest VR headsets
Report
Superfund Back on Track
Superfund cleanups protect communities and the environment from toxics, but lack of funding slowed progress. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law put Superfund back on track.
Lawn care goes electric
Gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment – lawn mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, snow blowers and other machines – is noisy, polluting and putting our health at risk. Going electric could do a lot more than make our yards look better.
The Plane Truth Part 3
Complaint volume is larger than record-setting 2022, so high that DOT can't keep up.
Ringing in Our Fears 2023
More than 5,000 phone companies still haven't installed robocall defense equipment. Tens of millions of consumers lost money to scam calls last year, with a median loss of $1,400. We look at what's being done to fight robocalls and robotexts, and what's next.
Electric Vehicles Save Money for Government Fleets
State and local governments around the country could save a total of nearly $11 billion in lifetime expenses by purchasing EVs as opposed to gasoline-powered vehicles for their light-duty fleets over the next 10 years.
The Threat of “Forever Chemicals”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are dangerous for public health. Because these “forever chemicals” are nearly indestructible, PFAS build up in the bodies of humans over time and persist in the environment. PFAS can cause kidney cancer, thyroid disruption, reduced responses to vaccination, and other health problems.
Food for Thought Part 2: An analysis of food recalls for 2022
The Cost of Prescription Drug Patent Abuse
‘Chromebook Churn’ report highlights problems of short-lived laptops in schools
The pandemic pushed schools to provide every student with their own device, often turning to Chromebooks. A laptop for every student is likely here to stay, but now this new tech is failing. That’s because while we know milk goes bad, it turns out Chromebooks have expiration dates too.