Parts Per Billion

Latest Episodes:

Talking Pesticides on Turkey Day Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we have Bloomberg Environment’s Tiffany Stecker on to talk about the pesticides that might be in your food. Specifically, she talks about a particularly potent bug-killing chemical that hasn’t gone away in the developing world, even though the U.S., Europe, and other developed areas have largely declared it unsafe. Host: David Schultz. Editors: Marissa Horn and Jessica Coomes.

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New Congress Will Bring Oversight, Policy Changes Nov 07, 2018

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Congress will look very different when it gavels in next year with a new House Democratic Majority and an expanded Republican Senate. On this special post-election episode of "Suspending the Rules," our reporters and legislative analysts break down the implications of a divided Congress for a variety of key issues. In this episode: • Bloomberg Government senior congressional reporter Nancy Ognanovich dives into the election returns and dynamics in the new Congress. • Bloomberg Government health policy reporter Shira Stein discusses what's in store for the Affordable Care Act, "Medicare-for-All," and drug pricing. • Bloomberg Government homeland security reporter Michaela Ross reviews potential moves on immigration. • Bloomberg Environment editor Rob Tricchinelli talks about what the election could mean for climate policy and environmental regulations. • Bloomberg Tax reporter Stu Basu discusses Democrats' tax priorities and plans to seek President Donald Trump's tax returns. Hosts: Adam M. Taylor, Danielle Parnass, Sarah Babbage Engineer: Nico Anzalotta

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Tiny Power Plants, Tiny Chemicals & Tiny Plaintiffs Nov 06, 2018

Show notes

On this week's episode of our weekly podcast, Parts Per Billion, we get small: small power plants, small amounts of chemicals in your breakfast, and an update on a lawsuit from some small people. Bloomberg Environment's Adam Allington and Bobby Magill join us to discuss the future of coal and the future of litigation that could change the way the government addresses climate change. Host: David Schultz Producers: Jessica Coomes & Marissa Horn

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Are You Smarter Than an Environmental Reporter? Oct 31, 2018

Show notes

This week, we introduce a new segment on our weekly environmental policy podcast, Parts Per Billion: a news quiz where you can test your knowledge of current events against Bloomberg Environment’s finest journalists. We also hear from one of those journalists, climate reporter Abby Smith, about an on-again-off-again lawsuit from a group of young people who are arguing that the government has a constitutional duty to combat climate change. Host: David Schultz. Producer: Jessica Coomes.

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The New Gold Rush 3 Miles Under the Ocean Oct 12, 2018

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The conditions may finally be right for deep sea mining. Demand for rare minerals is peaking thanks to consumer electronics, and technology has developed enough that drilling three miles underwater can be done safely. Or can it? This week on Parts Per Billion, Bloomberg Environment's Adam Allington tells us about why some environmentalists and scientists think mining isn't actually better down where it's wetter. Host: David Schultz Editors: Marissa Horn & Nicholas Anzalotta-Kynoch Producers: Rachael Daigle & Jessica Coomes

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The Pentagon's $2 Billion Contamination Problem Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

There's a new contamination problem that people are calling "the new asbestos." It's per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS. PFAS has been linked to numerous health problems, and cities and towns across the country have been finding them in their water supplies—especially towns or around military bases. Why? Because PFAS was commonly used in firefighting foam that was sprayed liberally on tarmacs and airstrips. Maureen Sullivan is the Pentagon's point person for addressing this mushrooming problem. She said the cost of cleaning up PFAS contamination could exceed $2 billion and take a generation to complete. We spoke to her at the annual conference of the Environmental Council of the States in Stowe, Vt.

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Don't Just Throw Away That Fracking Wastewater Aug 28, 2018

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Fracking involves shooting water deep underground to break open oil and gas formations. Most of that water comes back up to the surface eventually. What are we supposed to do with it? Nichole Saunders, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund, says we need to do A LOT more research before we start using this wastewater instead of just storing it back underground. We spoke to Saunders at the annual conference of the Environmental Council of the States in Stowe, Vt. Check back in later this week for more podcasts from Vermont.

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Climate Solutions, or Maybe Just Wishful Thinking Aug 23, 2018

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Some scientists out there are working on a plan to suck greenhouse gasses out of the air. Is this a potentially revolutionary solution to the problem of climate change? Bloomberg Environment's Bobby Magill says don't go popping the champagne corks just yet. In the latest episode of Parts Per Billion, Magill talks about the struggle to make carbon removal viable—not just technologically, but also economically and even morally viable.

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Taking Plastic Straws Out of the Ballgame Jul 25, 2018

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It seems you can't go a week anymore without someone announcing they're banning plastic straws in the name of reducing water pollution. As Bloomberg Environment's Sam McQuillan reports, even the sporting world is getting into the act. For the latest episode of Parts Per Billion, we talk with Sam about why sports stadiums are announcing bans on plastic straws and about the star power behind this nascent movement.

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Who Is Brett Kavanaugh? Jul 10, 2018

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Brett Kavanaugh is the man of the hour. The federal appeals court judge was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Trump, who called him “one of the finest and sharpest legal minds in our time.” Bloomberg Environment reporter Fatima Hussein says Kavanaugh has a lengthy and interesting record on environmental issues. For the latest episode of Parts Per Billion, Fatima breaks down what a possible “Associate Justice Kavanaugh” would mean for air, water, soil, and more.

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