Crude oil toxicity continued to sicken a sentinel Gulf Coast fish species for at least more than a year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to new findings from a research team that includes a University of California, Davis, scientist.

With researchers from Louisiana and South Carolina, the scientists found that Gulf killifish embryos exposed to sediments from oiled locations in 2010 and 2011 show developmental abnormalities, including heart defects, delayed hatching and reduced hatching success. The killifish is an environmental indicator species, or a “canary in the coal mine,” used to predict broader exposures and health risks... Read More

Each year the City of Modesto recognizes local businesses and organizations for their outstanding waste reduction and recycling efforts. The winners selected for their strong environmental efforts in 2011 are:

·         Boyett Petroleum
·         Center for Human Services
·         Community Business College
·         Community Hospice - Hope Chest Thrift Stores
·         Memorial Medical Center
·         Modesto Junk Company

Gusty winds over the San Joaquin Valley have prompted local air-pollution officials to issue a health cautionary statement through this evening throughout the air basin: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the Valley portion of Kern counties. Winds are expected to be especially strong in the western and southern portions of the Valley.

Winds may produce areas of localized blowing dust, which can result in unhealthy concentrations of particulate matter 10 microns and smaller (PM10). Exposure to particulate pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections.