Bayer AG’s settlement talks over tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its Roundup herbicide causes cancer is heating up as the company’s lawyers meet with individual attorneys representing consumers across the U.S. Meanwhile, the EPA goes to bat for Bayer as the company fights $25 million verdict in Roundup cancer case. The chemical company is asking a federal appeals court to reverse its ruling in favor of a California man suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. New data shows that rainwater in some parts of the US contains high enough levels of potentially toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to possibly affect human health and may, if found in drinking water, in some cases be high enough to trigger regulatory action. In Southeast Asia, the second-largest economy suspended an imminent move to ban three agrochemicals over safety fears. The restrictions could have led to a significant reduction in American agricultural shipments to the kingdom. The Donald Trump administration, however, knew how to hit Thailand where it hurts. The United Steelworkers sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in federal court on Thursday in a bid to reverse its gutting of a safety rule at chemical plants, the union said.

Bayer Roundup Mediator Is ‘Optimistic’ With Talks Heating Up

Bayer AG’s settlement talks over tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its Roundup herbicide causes cancer are heating up as the company’s lawyers meet with individual attorneys representing consumers across the U.S., according to people familiar with the negotiations.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/bayer-roundup-mediator-is-optimistic-with-talks-heating-up?fbclid=IwAR3F5kp3_e0KZAl_WAkpUMXnyezmnWLr0o0khvZf3YRRCWj3_VwKllfypXo

Toxic Chemicals Found in Rainwater and Drinking Water Throughout the U.S.

New data shows that rainwater in some parts of the US contains high enough levels of potentially toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to possibly affect human health and may, if found in drinking water, in some cases be high enough to trigger regulatory action.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/17/rainwater-pfas-us-potentially-toxic-levels-study

Trump squeezes Thailand in trade row over chemicals ban

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy suspended an imminent move to ban three agrochemicals over safety fears. The restrictions could have led to a significant reduction in American agricultural shipments to the kingdom. The Donald Trump administration, however, knew how to hit Thailand where it hurts.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Asia-Insight/Trump-squeezes-Thailand-in-trade-row-over-chemicals-ban?fbclid=IwAR2tZsBJV72ZYdSyaB6tHqC4pPG5B0ieqqmX-3nhVhVbWXkysDtmm3ICMek

United Steelworkers sues EPA over weakening of chemical safety rule

The United Steelworkers sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in federal court on Thursday in a bid to reverse its gutting of a safety rule at chemical plants, the union said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-environment-lawsuit/united-steelworkers-sues-epa-over-weakening-of-chemical-safety-rule-idUSKBN1Z82BL?fbclid=IwAR0sXO_vYqGokaVP0rB5CBPpK0tm0RANgFMYMgg70ZIO5hDb1t_pZtohoOA

Trump’s EPA Goes to Bat for Bayer as Company Fights $25 Million Verdict in Roundup Cancer Case
The chemical company is asking a federal appeals court to reverse its ruling in favor of a California man suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/12/23/trumps-epa-goes-bat-bayer-company-fights-25-million-verdict-roundup-cancer-case?fbclid=IwAR0PmKUkM1jHpe-gXHDJmisou6ImIypl3siI85uIHumr-_jqUdiVQdVL3c4