The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared that an astounding 55 percent of rivers and streams in the country are in “poor condition for aquatic life.” The results of their first comprehensive survey of waterway health reveal shrinking vegetation cover, high levels of phosphorous and nitrogen, and pollution from mercury and bacteria—none of which are all that great for human health either. These issues pose a threat not only to 1.2 million miles of waterways, but also the coastal areas, lakes and bays that are served by those rivers and streams. Additionally, as the EPA emphasizes, the polluted, unhealthy waterways include vital sources of drinking water.

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Post tags: agricultural ruoff, agriculture pollution, algae blooms, aquatic life, dead zone, environmental destruction, environmental protection agency, epa, fertilizer pollution, fertilizer runoff, fertilizers, fish health, mercury, mercury fish, mercury health, National Rivers and Stream Assessment, river health, river pollution, water health, water pollution

It makes sense to this writer that organic food is a healthier option than convention produce, which is grown with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Take away those harmful chemicals, and organic food ought to be better for you, right? I am not alone in this line thought, and as such, the organic food market is a $29 billion industry. However a new study is pouring cold water on this theory, suggesting that research into organic food has found “scant evidence of health benefits” — but is the new study missing the point?

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Post tags: Annals of Internal Medicine, fertilizers, food production, health benefits, organic farming, organic food, pesticides, stanford university of medicine, vegetables

Poo power is rapidly becoming the energy source of choice in many countries, powering everything from homes to motorcycles. Now scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have invented a new toilet system that not only turns human waste into electricity and fertilizers, but also reduces the amount of water needed for flushing by up to 90%!

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Post tags: alternative energy, bioreactor, biowaste, compost, fertilizers, human energy, human waste, no-mix vacuum toilet, Poo Power!, poop power