Joaquin Sapien

EPA Sees Risks to Water, Workers In New York Fracking Rules

Jan. 13, 3:11 p.m.

In 47 pages of comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency weighs in on New York’s potentially precedent-setting regulations for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

Military Still Struggling to Treat Troops With Brain Injuries

Dec. 27, 2011, 9:30 a.m.

Defense Department leaders and lawmakers have taken steps to improve the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injuries since ProPublica and NPR began a two-year investigation, but progress remains incremental.

Drywall Manufacturer Agrees to Settlement

Dec. 15, 2011, 5:47 p.m.

Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin is the first manufacturer to agree to settle defective drywall cases lodged in federal court. The settlement could pay to repair more than 5,000 homes, plaintiffs’ attorneys say. 

Senator Wants Answers on Program to Test Soldiers for Brain Injuries

Dec. 15, 2011, 1:46 p.m.

Sen. Claire McCaskill has requested a briefing from the military on its troubled neurological testing program.

Senate Subcommittee Grills CPSC on Drywall

Dec. 7, 2011, 2:17 p.m.

Lawmakers questioned CPSC and CDC officials about the progress of a years-long federal investigation into contaminated drywall at a Senate hearing.

Congressman Slams Military Brain-Testing Program

Dec. 2, 2011, 2:30 p.m.

Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., sought support to fix the military’s cognitive testing program following a ProPublica and NPR report on the issue earlier this week.

Testing Program Fails Soldiers, Leaving Brain Injuries Undetected

Nov. 28, 2011, Noon

Faced with a congressional mandate to use computerized testing to detect brain injuries, the military chose an unproven test and then botched its implementation.

Search Documents Covering the Military’s Use of the ANAM

Nov. 28, 2011, Noon

Insurers for Drywall Supplier Settle Lawsuit

June 14, 2011, 4:49 p.m.

Stricter Regulation of Formaldehyde Remains Uncertain Despite Carcinogen Ruling

June 14, 2011, 1:03 p.m.

The Department of Health and Human Services has classified formaldehyde as “a known carcinogen,” but it remains to be seen if the new designation will lead to tighter U.S. formaldehyde regulations.

More Than Half of Recent War Vets Treated by VA Are Struggling With Mental Health Problems

May 11, 2011, 10:31 a.m.

Pressure increases on the military to improve mental health care as new data shows that 51 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are treated by the VA for psychological problems, up from 20 percent in 2004. 

CID Concludes Infant Death Investigation at Fort Bragg

May 6, 2011, 3:27 p.m.

The Army Criminal Investigation Command has completed its investigation into the deaths of 10 infants who died of undetermined causes at Fort Bragg, N.C., but questions still linger. 

CPSC Report on U.S.-Made Drywall Raises More Questions Than Answers

April 21, 2011, 1:48 p.m.

The CPSC’s new report on American-made drywall says ‘agency resource constraints’ limited the investigation into whether American-made drywall is causing problems like those associated with Chinese-made drywall.

One Drywall Lawsuit Against National Gypsum Dismissed; Other Claims Pending

April 12, 2011, 4:23 p.m.

A lawsuit filed by an Arizona homeowner against one of the nation’s largest drywall manufacturers has been voluntarily dismissed.

While Nuclear Waste Piles Up in U.S., Billions in Fund to Handle It Sit Unused

March 30, 2011, 10:52 a.m.

Energy companies have been suing the government over a lack of a long-term fix for nuclear waste—costing taxpayers millions and potentially billions.

Lowe’s Settlement in Drywall Cases Moves Closer to Finalization

March 25, 2011, 1:17 p.m.

More than 20,000 people have already submitted claims saying they bought defective drywall from Lowe’s home improvement stores. A judge has given preliminary approval to the settlement.

Senators Call on CPSC to Allow Public Comment on New Drywall Fix

March 24, 2011, 3:12 p.m.

Senators say homeowners suffering through “the nightmare of problem drywall” deserve more information about how the homes can best be repaired.

Federal Agency Changes Guidelines for Repairing Homes With Defective Drywall

March 21, 2011, 1:57 p.m.

Wiring doesn’t necessarily need to be removed from homes built with defective drywall, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Expert: Builder’s New Guidelines for Chinese Drywall “Feel Like a Whitewash”

March 15, 2011, 12:04 p.m.

New National Association of Home Builders guidelines for testing and fixing homes built with suspect Chinese drywall conflict with Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations.