environment - Investigate Midwest (Page 5)

Cedar Falls Fights Drinking Water Nitrates Battle

Knowing where your water comes from is one thing. Knowing what is in your water is another. Three of Cedar Falls’ wells – 3, 9 and 10 – consistently have recorded high nitrate levels.

By Elise Leasure, Sabine Martin and Katherine Mauss/IowaWatch and Cedar Falls Tiger Hi-Line

/ 2 Jun 2017

Cedar Falls Fights Drinking Water Nitrates Battle

Lead Present At Low Levels In Some Private Iowa Wells But Experts Say Paint Is Larger Concern

Lead-based paint and paint dust are a much larger concern than lead exposure through drinking water in Iowa, experts who spoke with IowaWatch said.

By Lauren Shotwell

/ 22 Dec 2016

Lead Present At Low Levels In Some Private Iowa Wells But Experts Say Paint Is Larger Concern

‘Strict’ Pesticide Rules Fail To Erase Threat To Wisconsin’s Drinking Water

When it comes to pesticides — including insecticides, herbicides and fungicides — in Wisconsin's drinking water, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism found several health concerns in this investigation.

By Rachael Lallensack/Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism

/ 28 Oct 2016

‘Strict’ Pesticide Rules Fail To Erase Threat To Wisconsin’s Drinking Water

Growing Health Concerns Surrounding Pesticides, Including Two Commonly Used In Iowa

Some farmers applying pesticides to fields this summer might ignore symptoms of being exposed to the chemicals, like headaches or nausea. But mounting evidence shows chronic exposure to pesticides may increase risks for certain cancers, like prostate cancer, and for other chronic illnesses, like Par

By Lauren Mills

/ 21 Jul 2016

Growing Health Concerns Surrounding Pesticides, Including Two Commonly Used In Iowa

Database: Iowa Landfills Tonnage (2000-2015)

Each year, landfills must turn in information on the tonnage taken in, which is reported to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

By Lauren Mills

/ 17 Jun 2016

Paperwork Load, Time Commitment Keep Iowa Landfills From Adopting Plan Called Environment Friendly

The Environmental Management System, or EMS, was seen as an alternative to relying simply on giving credits to Iowa landfills that serve as incentives for accepting fewer tons of garbage. But adoption of this approach has been slow.

By Haley Hansel

/ 17 Jun 2016

Paperwork Load, Time Commitment Keep Iowa Landfills From Adopting Plan Called Environment Friendly

Controversy As Northeast Iowa Frac Sand Mine No. 1 In Violations Seeks To Expand

A controversial frac sand mining company that recently opened a site in Wisconsin is facing opposition to plans that would greatly expand its mine in Clayton County, Iowa. Pattison Sand Co. has requested re-zoning of 746 acres of land from agricultural to heavy industrial to expand its underground m

By Haley Henschel/Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and Bridgit Bowden/Wisconsin Public Radio

/ 5 May 2016

Controversy As Northeast Iowa Frac Sand Mine No. 1 In Violations Seeks To Expand

Consistency Lacking In Iowa High Schools When It Comes To Teaching Climate Change

Iowa teachers are split on how to educate students about climate change despite strong scientific evidence supporting the existence of human-caused climate change, an IowaWatch study with the Cedar Falls High School Tiger Hi-Line newspaper shows.

By Tana Gam-ad, Olivia Fabos Martin and Sarah Stortz / Special IowaWatch-Cedar Falls Tiger Hi-Line report

/ 22 Apr 2016

Consistency Lacking In Iowa High Schools When It Comes To Teaching Climate Change

Severity Of Algae In Iowa Lakes Is On The Rise

That paint-like scum that covers some Iowa lakes every summer isn’t just gross and smelly. People, pets, and livestock coming into contact with or ingesting toxins produced by the algae are at risk to symptoms including skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues and, in high doses, liver failure.

By Lauren Mills

/ 15 Aug 2015

Severity Of Algae In Iowa Lakes Is On The Rise

News Quiz: Draining Iowa's Farmland

For over a century, drainage tiles have played a significant role in Iowa agriculture. But tile systems have also been targets of criticism from environmentalists who point to tiles’ environmental impact. How much do you know about Iowa’s drainage tiles?

By IowaWatch

/ 12 Jun 2015

IowaWatch Connection: Turning Garbage Into Gas

What if we could turn our everyday trash into fuel that could power our cars? That time is closer than you think, and Iowa is on the forefront of this new technology. It's called "trashanol", turning garbage into gas.

By Jeff Stein

/ 8 Dec 2014

IowaWatch Connection: Turning Garbage Into Gas

Little Information Exists About Hazardous Materials Traveling Across Iowa

Special IowaWatch/Investigative News Network report: The Iowa Department of Transportation does not track or permit vehicles carrying hazardous materials in Iowa.

By Lauren Mills

/ 20 Jan 2014

Little Information Exists About Hazardous Materials Traveling Across Iowa