ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD

May 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Staying Safe from Algae in the Caloosahatchee River

A warning has gone out about harmful blue-green algae in a stretch of the Caloosahatchee River near the Sebastian Canal. Tiny bacteria that normally live in Florida’s freshwater have multiplied rapidly, creating visible blooms that can produce toxins. These blooms often look like thick green paint,

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May 04 2026ENVIRONMENT

When Earth Moves: How Swiss Pollution Spots Risk Contaminating Water

Switzerland keeps track of about 38, 000 spots where soil or ground water has been polluted. These can be old dumps, factory yards, shooting ranges, or places where accidents happened years ago. Most of us don’t notice them, but nature sometimes does. Heavy rain can turn quiet slopes into fast-movin

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Jan 27 2026ENVIRONMENT

Tiny Plastic Troubles: How Sun-Aged Nanoplastics Mess with Fish Healing

Nanoplastics are tiny bits of plastic that are causing big problems in water environments. They often get weathered by the sun, making them even more harmful. Fish, which can usually heal their tails pretty well, are now struggling because of these aged nanoplastics. Scientists did an experiment wi

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Dec 26 2025ENVIRONMENT

Rotorua's Watery Warnings: Staying Safe This Summer

Rotorua's lakes and rivers are popular spots to beat the summer heat, but they come with risks. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is urging everyone to be cautious. Last year, 17 people drowned in lakes and rivers across New Zealand, with three of those in the Bay of Plenty. Drowning isn't the only

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Dec 17 2025HEALTH

Staying Safe While Cleaning Up After Floods

Floods can be really scary and messy. After the water goes down, it's important to be careful when cleaning up. The health department in Snohomish County has some good advice to keep everyone safe. First, don't go back into your home until officials say it's okay. Look for any damage to the buildin

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Mar 10 2025ENVIRONMENT

Floods and Health: Why Older Adults Are at Risk

Floods are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. This poses a significant threat to public health, especially for older adults. These natural disasters can lead to serious health issues and financial burdens. Yet, there hasn't been enough research on the full extent of these healt

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Feb 02 2025ENVIRONMENT

Smoke and Flame:A Big Problem at Martinez Refinery

On a Saturday afternoon in Martinez, a leak in a refinery led to a massive explosion and a huge fire. The fire burned fiercely and sent dark smoke across Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde. The refinery is known for having a lot of problems, so maybe this shouldn't have been a surprise. Luckily, all emplo

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