In 2007, the Texas legislature attempted to pass a bill that would put restrictions on school buses idling their engines. By reducing exposure to harmful gases produced by diesel-exhaust, it would hopefully reduce asthma triggers and future hospital visits and costs. However, despite support from many groups such as the Texas Parent Teacher Association and the bill passing through the legislature, the bill was vetoed by the governor, with his reasoning being that policies like this should be made at the local level. This is disappointing, since it could have been a step forward for Texas in the fight against air pollution, but the Texas Department of State Health Services is still pushing for the bill to be reintroduced to the legislation once more.
Engine idling laws seek to reduce children's exposure to harmful carcinogens and irritants produced by burning diesel fuel.
Coal Plant Near Houston Exceeds Pollution Limits
A recent investigation by the Sierra Club accuses a coal power plant near Houston to be exceeding limits placed on environmental toxins. The plant, run by NRG Energy, is emitting more than twice the amount of sulfur dioxide allowed by environmental standards and is not equipped with many features of cleaner, modern power plants. Sulfur dioxide is a major pollutant associated with lung diseases, so the fact that a power plant within range of schools and public parks is exposing people to high levels of toxic chemicals is worrying. However, the power plant company claims that the Sierra Club, which has an agenda against coal, is making unfounded assumptions about the plant. If the Sierra Club is right, though, this is obviously a huge hazard for the environment and people suffering from lung ailments.
Map showing areas affected by sulfur dioxide pollution coming from the plant. Schools and parks are highlighted.
Breo Ellipta Performs Poorly in Worldwide Tests
GlaxoSmithKline recently released the test result for their new respiratory drug Breo Ellipta. The drug, which was touted to reduce death and lung failure rates among patients with cardiac disease or other lung ailments, such as COPD or chronic bronchitis. The drug was tested in over 40 countries with over 16,000 trial subjects. The drug, while shown to reduce rates for death and lung failure, showed statistically insignificant rates of improvement. GSK, which had previously sold Advair as its primary drug for respiratory treatment, was hoping that Breo Ellipta would replace Advair in the near future, but that seems unlikely given these disappointing results. It is still being sold, but faces stiff competition from rival companies. Had this drug succeeded, it could have marketed itself as the medication of choice for patients with chronic cardiac or lung issues, since daily respiratory drugs cannot prevent severe flare ups that send many people to the ER.
Picture of Breo Ellipta and the capsule that releases the medication orally.
In 2007, the Texas legislature attempted to pass a bill that would put restrictions on school buses idling their engines. By reducing exposure to harmful gases produced by diesel-exhaust, it would hopefully reduce asthma triggers and future hospital visits and costs. However, despite support from many groups such as the Texas Parent Teacher Association and the bill passing through the legislature, the bill was vetoed by the governor, with his reasoning being that policies like this should be made at the local level. This is disappointing, since it could have been a step forward for Texas in the fight against air pollution, but the Texas Department of State Health Services is still pushing for the bill to be reintroduced to the legislation once more.
Engine idling laws seek to reduce children's exposure to harmful carcinogens and irritants produced by burning diesel fuel.
Coal Plant Near Houston Exceeds Pollution Limits
A recent investigation by the Sierra Club accuses a coal power plant near Houston to be exceeding limits placed on environmental toxins. The plant, run by NRG Energy, is emitting more than twice the amount of sulfur dioxide allowed by environmental standards and is not equipped with many features of cleaner, modern power plants. Sulfur dioxide is a major pollutant associated with lung diseases, so the fact that a power plant within range of schools and public parks is exposing people to high levels of toxic chemicals is worrying. However, the power plant company claims that the Sierra Club, which has an agenda against coal, is making unfounded assumptions about the plant. If the Sierra Club is right, though, this is obviously a huge hazard for the environment and people suffering from lung ailments.
Map showing areas affected by sulfur dioxide pollution coming from the plant. Schools and parks are highlighted.
Breo Ellipta Performs Poorly in Worldwide Tests
GlaxoSmithKline recently released the test result for their new respiratory drug Breo Ellipta. The drug, which was touted to reduce death and lung failure rates among patients with cardiac disease or other lung ailments, such as COPD or chronic bronchitis. The drug was tested in over 40 countries with over 16,000 trial subjects. The drug, while shown to reduce rates for death and lung failure, showed statistically insignificant rates of improvement. GSK, which had previously sold Advair as its primary drug for respiratory treatment, was hoping that Breo Ellipta would replace Advair in the near future, but that seems unlikely given these disappointing results. It is still being sold, but faces stiff competition from rival companies. Had this drug succeeded, it could have marketed itself as the medication of choice for patients with chronic cardiac or lung issues, since daily respiratory drugs cannot prevent severe flare ups that send many people to the ER.
Picture of Breo Ellipta and the capsule that releases the medication orally.