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Antibiotics in Agriculture
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) estimates that 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States – more that 24 million pounds per year – are routinely put in the food and water of healthy livestock.
Ballast Water Management
Experts believe that, every minute, 40,000 gallons of foreign ballast water contaminate U.S. waters – likely the single largest source of foreign species invading America’s ecosystem.
Banning Cyanide Use in Mining
The use of cyanide compounds by the mining industry, along with limitations in the analysis and monitoring of these compounds, raises serious concerns regarding environmental protection and public safety at mine sites using cyanide processing.
Clean Power
Most Americans think of electricity as “clean” and are shocked to learn that power plants are the single worst industrial contributor to air pollution in the United States.
Cleaning Up Brownfields
Experts estimate that this nation has more than 450,000 brownfields – vacant or underused industrial sites with environmental contamination caused by chemical compounds and other hazardous substances.
Electronic Waste
Each year the U.S. generates 5-7 million tons of electronic waste. About 2% of this is recycled, 30% is stored, and the rest ends up in a landfill.
Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Reduction Strategies
The global community has become critically concerned about anthropogenic climate change. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are warming the earth, posing significant threats to our environment and health.
Mercury Reduction
Thousands of Americans unnecessarily expose themselves and others to mercury.
Phosphorus Pollution
Phosphorus pollution threatens our aquatic ecosystems, fouls our water supplies, and diminishes the recreational and economic benefits of clean lakes, rivers, and streams. This policy issues package is designed to help state legislators target phosphorus pollution from two sources: lawn fertilizers and cleaning agents (including automatic dishwashing detergents, or ADDs).
Regulating Pesticides
There is growing public concern regarding pesticide exposure, and for good reason. Studies have shown that all persons, but especially children, pregnant women, farmers, farmworkers, and the elderly, may experience negative health effects from exposure to pesticides.

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State Environmental Resource Center
Madison, Wisconsin