The Daily Catch

• Looking for plastic in the placenta at UCSF
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/07/2011

  A UCSF research scientist is charting new territory by studying the effects of phthalates – widely chemicals used in soft plastics – on the development of fetuses. Dr. Jennifer Adibi is studying cells from the placenta to determine if the toxic chemicals can alter hormonal development in utero. Testing on animals has shown that phthalates can damage male and female reproductive systems. [Mission Local]

• State ban of shark fins splits a community
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/07/2011

  The Bay Area Chinese community is debating the recently proposed state ban on the possession or sale of shark fins, which, as the name implies, are essential to the culturally important shark fin soup. In many instances the debate falls along generational lines. Younger people feel the dwindling number of sharks should be protected, while older generations say shark fin soup has been a cultural tradition for thousands of years. San Francisco mayoral candidate and State Senator Leland Yee agrees with the older cohort. [New York Times] [Way Out West]

• Debate over money for Caltrans upgrade in budget
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/07/2011

  Governor Jerry Brown wants to slate $63 million for Caltrans to meet the state’s clean air standards in his proposed budget, but the Legislative Analyst’s Office says there are less expensive ways to meet the requirements than retrofitting or replacing vehicles. There is debate with the air board on how to comply with ARB regulations. This is the third year the LAO has made such a recommendation to the legislature. [California Watch]

• Test shows BART seats truly are disgusting
  By Alison Hawkes 

  03/07/2011

  You probably already predicted this — BART seats are disgusting. The Bay Citizen went out to prove it, commissioning an SF State biology lab to analyze the bacteria content of a random BART seat. The findings: fecal and skin-borne bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, at least nine bacteria strains, and several types of mold. Cleaning the cushion with an alcohol swap didn’t get rid of all the microscopic critters. BART is considering switching to hard plastic or padded vinyl in an upcoming seat upgrade. [Read more - The Bay Citizen]

• Richmond asks Chevron to resubmit plans for refinery expansion
  By Alison Hawkes 

  03/07/2011

  Chevron abandoned plans to expand its refinery in Richmond two years ago after a long fight with environmental justice groups. With the political winds changing at Richmond city hall, city leaders are asking the company to resubmit plans that would allow the refinery to process a wider range of crude, some of it dirtier, and more California-grade gasoline. [ Read More - Contra CostaTimes]

• Is ocean desalination a good idea for California?
  By Alison Hawkes 

  03/04/2011

  Is ocean-water desalination a good way to solve California’s impending water crisis? Conservationists are pushing back on the idea, saying that technology is harmful to the environment because it can entrap wildlife and create byproducts heavily concentrated with salt and chemicals that would be dumped back into the ocean. Desalination also uses a lot of power. They favor conserving water at the tap. There are now nearly a dozen plans for desal plants in California, including in Marin.  [DC Bureau]

• Adam Werbach on Libya, $200 oil, and clean energy
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/04/2011

  Controversial environmentalist Adam Werbach says that Libyan civil unrest could push oil prices up to $200 a barrel, and that’s a good thing for the adoption of clean energy. Unlike the last time the Americans faced high oil prices (2008), today the U.S. is better positioned to seize green technology research funding, drive electric cars, and build a clean energy infrastructure. [The Atlantic Monthly]

• San Bruno gas pipeline had multiple poorly welded seams
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/04/2011

  Federal investigations into the PG&E San Bruno gas pipeline explosion found that multiple welded seams were “grotesquely at odds with industry standards and specifications.” PG&E declined to comment on the finding, but yesterday agreed to send notices to customers who live within 2,000 feet of a gas-transmission line. The National Transportation Safety Board hearings also revealed that in the 90s PG&E replaced miles of pipeline in San Bruno, stopping 300 yards short of the explosion site. [San Francisco Chronicle] [San Jose Mercury News]

• Recent cold weather may damage locally-grown fruit and raise prices
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/04/2011

  Just as many Central Valley fruit trees began to bloom, temperatures dropped last week, potentially harming many fruit and nut trees at a particularly vulnerable time. In particular stone fruit, such as peaches, apricots, and plums are susceptible to frost. But farmers won’t know the extent of the damage until harvest time. Buyers will find out when they look at the prices. [Marin Independent Journal]

• The Central Valley’s environmental health legacy in pictures
  By Victoria Schlesinger 

  03/04/2011

  One of the most aggressively farmed stretches of land in the world, California’s Central Valley has a long, often unseen history of environmental health problems. Photographs by Tracy Perkins beautifully document the story and are featured in the inaugural issue of Boom: A Journal of California, published by the University of California Press and due out in March. [Boom] [California Watch]

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