In December 2020, EPA released its Proposed Interim Decision for the Registration Review of Chlorpyrifos (PID). The PID states that chlorpyrifos degrades into chlorpyrifos oxon, a toxic and potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that potentially causes...
Clifford V. Pascarella, II
EPA Science Panel Will Impact Asbestos Regulations
On October 1, 2020, the EPA announced the nominees for the approximately 15 additional spots on the TSCA Scientific Advisory Committee on Chemicals (“SACC”). SACC is a group of experts chosen by the EPA to “provide independent scientific advice and recommendations to...
Chlorpyrifos Regulatory Actions Closely Watched By Litigators
Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide that has been used since 1965 to protect crop fields (e.g., corn, soybeans, fruit trees) and used to protect golf courses and greenhouses. Chlorpyrifos insecticide products are sold as liquids, granules, powders. The EPA recommends that...
Environmental Law In NJ To Protect Low Income Communities
New Jersey's Governor Murphy recently signed into law S-232, the “toughest” environmental law of its kind in the country, that is aimed at curbing the cumulative environmental and public health impacts in The Garden State. S-232 now requires facilities that meet...
Glyphosate Litigation Takes Criminal Turn
Two name-partners in a plaintiff firm based in Richmond, Virginia were sentenced to one and two year prison terms for pleading guilty to attempting to extort an unnamed chemical company of $200 million. Based on marketing information found on the firm website for...
$25,000 Raised For Martin Richard Foundation Via Marathons
Today, we put our spotlight on CMBG3’s John Gardella, who recently ran the Boston Marathon (virtual) for the Martin Richard Foundation’s Team MR8 – a charitable organization works to advance the values of inclusion, kindness, justice and peace. In this Spotlight...
EPA’s Asbestos Problem: Pending Litigation and Draft Risk Evaluation
Multiple States’ Attorneys General and asbestos advocacy groups are suing EPA in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California[1]. The plaintiffs are seeking judicial intervention concerning EPA “arbitrary and capricious” decision to deny states’...
Creosote Litigation: Understanding and defending the industrial and commercial uses
A new toxic tort lawsuit was recently filed against a railroad company in Houston, Texas. Plaintiffs allege that the coal tar used by the railroad between 1950 and 1985 contained creosote that contaminated the air and ground of the railroad property and plaintiffs’...
Talc Ruling From NJ Appeals Court: Plaintiffs’ Experts Should Be Allowed To Testify
Talc litigation is back in the news given the recent Appellate Court decision in New Jersey. The consolidated cases Brandi Carl and Joel Carl, and Diana Balderrama and Golbert Balderrama (Docket Nos.: A-0387-16T1, and A-0978-16T1, respectively), involve plaintiffs...
EPA’s New Asbestos Determination May Upend Decades of Science and Impact Litigation
The word “asbestos” is a term colloquially known as a hazard. Below the surface, though, while the average person knows from television ads that they may be entitled to compensation if they are exposed to asbestos, they almost surely do not know that asbestos is a...