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The article reports that the New York City Housing Authority has admitted its failure to meet federal requirements to inspect for hazardous lead as well as out of compliance in many other areas.

This article discusses an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) probe of a chemical found in Teflon products. Federal regulators are pushing to reduce certain chemicals found in nonstick, water-repellent and grease-resistant products. The manufacturing of products such as nonstick cookware, microwave popcorn bags, fast-food containers, carpeting, nail polish and stain-resistant clothing could be affected. An EPA advisory group stated that the chemical perflourooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a "likely" cancer-causing agent.

Reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed tough restrictions on the industrial use of benzene, which is used to manufacture plastics, insecticides and other items, and has been linked to leukemia. The regulations will take effect over the next two years and will cover about 20 percent of benzene emissions in the US. EPA plans to address the remaining 80 percent; Exceptions to the restrictions; Reaction from industry and environmentalists; Cost.

The article reports that the moratorium on the transfer of dangerous substances to high-security laboratories has been lifted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The article reports on the withdrawal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency n(EPA) from a pair of regulations aimed at strengthening oversight of dangerous chemicals in September 2013, considering the rules as no longer necessary.

The article reports on the action taken by U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to accelerating the process of establishing rules to protect workers from exposure to the chemical, diacetyl. Diacetyl is used in making microwave-popcorn flavoring and has been associated to a condition dubbed popcorn lung. The move was supported by unions, but criticized by business groups. The action also reflects the commitment of the government to reinvigorate the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The article reports on the move by California state regulators to add 11 chemicals to the list of hazardous substances requiring the posting of notices under the state's Proposition 65 law. It includes marijuana smoke, caffeine, and many chemicals used in manufacturing. In addition, the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment issued a notice of preliminary consideration for adding the 11 chemicals to the list required under Proposition 65.

Reports that carrying dangerous goods aboard an aircraft violates the United States federal law. Maximum imprisonment and penalties for violators; Factors that may cause household items to become hazardous; Household items that when transported by air are hazardous materials.

Reports that the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed its decision to declare tons of coal ash and related-power plant wastes as hazardous waste under federal law. Criticisms received by the agency's decision; Uniform federal standards for regulating industrial wastes in US states.

Refers to an article on page D9 (Gore says Clinton will try to halt waste incinerator, by Keith Schneider) which says that the Clinton Administration, in its first environmental policy decision, will seek to halt operations at the nation's newest hazardous-waste incinerator until Congress investigates the plant's safety and the way it got its operating permits.

Editorial. Reflects on the relevance of the Delaney Clause requiring banning of all substances with traces of carcinogens. Environmental Protection Agency's reminder to Representative Henry Waxman and Senator Edward Kennedy about Delaney Clause; Economic costs of maintenance of Delaney Clause.

Reports on the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) recommendations aimed at reducing the possibility of fires caused by hazardous cargo shipped aboard commercial aircraft. Call to the Federal Aviation Administration to make a permanent ban on shipping so-called oxygen generators; Board's emphasis on lapses in the current hazardous-waste cargo system.

Focuses on parents concerns after the closing of a New York elementary school in Harlem due to hazardous fumes. A call for an investigation into air-quality tests discrepancies in Public School 141 by Mark Green, the Public Advocate; The question of what to do with the 500 children needing classroom space.

States that the Federal Environmental Protection Agency plans to demolish a former factory building in Hoboken, New Jersey. The building being a former mercury vapor lamp plant; The artists being forced to vacate because officials decided the building couldn't be made habitable; Previous plans for the area.

Describes the federal government's controversial proposal to reduce monitoring of dangerous chemicals used in industry. Exemptions proposed; Opposition from state and local authorities and firefighters.

The article offers updates on issues related to higher education in the U.S. A bill appropriating $1.103 billion for the U.S. National Science Foundation was approved by the U.S. House. It is recommended by a U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee that $1.038 billion should be spent on agricultural research and education in fiscal 1982. The American Council on Education is supporting a recommendation from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to create federal standards more flexible for works involving toxic chemicals.