Sign in

Melanie Benesh

@melaniebenesh.bsky.social
115 followers 101 following 42 posts

Toxics law and policy @ Environmental Working Group. Adjunct professor @ Georgetown Law. Nebraskan. Dessert enthusiast. Runner. Single mom.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Barred and Boujee aka Madiba Dennie @audrelawdamercy.blacksky.app · 30/06/2026
I can't deep-dive rn as I'd like to (I have to write about the *whole opinion after all) but from what I've read so far, KBJ's birthright citizenship concurrence is a masterpiece, and gonna be so important for building the future that I call for in The Originalism Trap bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org
The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back
How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back
517640
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Such an honor to talk to Planet Money about the #GRAS loophole and our wild food chemical regulatory system!
010
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Dave Jorgenson @davejorgenson.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Colbert guest hosted a public access TV show in Monroe, Michigan a day after the Late Show ended. Guest star: Jeff Daniels Special appearance by: Eminem Musical director: Jack White Genius. youtu.be/jJTXB5uT_C4?...
youtu.be
Only In Monroe --- May 22, 2026
YouTube video by Stephen Colbert
734285287666
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
PfoaProject NY @pfoaprojectny.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
This is NOT hyperbole folks: “The price of this decision will be paid by ordinary people, in the form of more #PFAS -related diseases” via @ewgprez.bsky.social @melaniebenesh.bsky.social Look what our tiny town has been dealing with 10 yrs - the # of superfund sites 😱: dec.ny.gov/environmenta...
dec.ny.gov
Hoosick Falls Area
012
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
19thnews @19thnews.org · 08/05/2026
Moms are taking on debt, cutting back on personal medical care, delaying rent payments and skipping meals so their kids can eat. Federal cuts are poised to make things worse.
19thnews.org
Mothers are stretching every dollar — and still finding ways to care for their families
They are taking on debt, cutting back on personal medical care, delaying rent payments and skipping meals so their kids can eat. Federal cuts are poised to make things worse.
23225
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
When your father is a professor and your mom directed Salaam Bombay
Homer covered in gold and jewels laughing
222355239
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Coffeebot: do u like drinking caramel Me: I guess so Coffeebot: do u like drinking toothpicks Me: no Coffeebot: alright u want full caramel and half toothpicks now here is a map to the ocean
2058570
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Leana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
“It makes me angry and guilty for poisoning my children for all of these years" One of the more insidious aspects of PFAS pollution is the way it can turn what ought to be health-giving activities like growing your own veg into health-harming ones: share.google/eegDQksoGrJ9... 1/4
Picture of Thornton-Cleveleys resident, Samantha Linacre-Hanmond, in her garden, where testing by the Environment Agency + UK Health Security Agency has revealed high levels of internationally banned PFOA, a type of PFAS forever chemical classed by the World Health Organisation as a group 1 carcinogen. Headline, 'Don't eat home-grown veg, council warns residents near chemical plant' subheading, 'Householders alerted to health risk from toxic soil found in gardens', The Telegraph
311161
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Someone please write a children's book about penguin toxicologists doing research in Patagonia www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
eurekalert.org
Penguin ‘toxicologists’ find PFAS chemicals in remote Patagonia
Penguins can serve as living monitors of their environment by using small, chemical-detecting leg bands, finds a study from UC Davis and University at Buffalo-SUNY
000
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Alex Ip 葉清霖 @alexip718.com · 10/04/2026
BREAKING: in March 2026, *every single one* of the 1,341 refugees admitted in the United States were white South Africans: In FY 2026, the U.S. has admitted a total of 4,496 white South Africans, three Afghans (back in November), and nobody else. www.rpc.state.gov/documents/Re...
rpc.state.gov
6927451433
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
19thnews @19thnews.org · 09/03/2026
People are leaving or avoiding living in states with abortion bans, a new paper shows — resulting in lower rental prices and higher vacancies than in states that protect reproductive rights.
19thnews.org
Abortion bans reshaped reproductive health, and now the rental market
New research found that abortion bans resulted in lower rental prices and higher vacancies.
08233
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Food Fix @foodfixco.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
How a story about GRAS reform went viral and sparked a full-blown frenzy on the East Coast. foodfix.co/new-england-...
foodfix.co
New England in revolt over report RFK Jr. has Dunkin’ in his sights
How a story about GRAS reform went viral and sparked a full-blown frenzy on the East Coast.
102
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Elizabeth Lopatto @lopatto.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
ok I would definitely watch baseball if each team got one (1) animal to let loose during the game. when will you use your animal delay. what animal will you choose
1144769
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
The New Lede @thenewlede.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
“I think people should be concerned that the FDA doesn’t know what’s in food and that we have a regulatory process that allows companies to bypass the FDA's safety review process,” said @melaniebenesh.bsky.social, @ewgofficial.bsky.social’s VP of gov't affairs. www.thenewlede.org/2026/03/repo...
thenewlede.org
Report finds over 100 food chemicals companies declared safe without notifying FDA
A new report has identified over 100 food chemicals that companies have declared are safe for consumption without notifying the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), leveraging what critics say is a leg...
012
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
New report with @mvmaffini.bsky.social today on 111 "secret" GRAS ingredients: www.ewg.org/research/sec...
ewg.org
Secret GRAS: How 100+ food chemicals bypassed government safety review
Thousands of everyday food products potentially could contain substances that carry unknown health risks, a new EWG analysis finds.
011
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Letters of Note @lettersofnote.com · 12/02/2026
Happy birthday to one of my favourite haters, Charles Darwin
157102993045
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
PFAS at the Olympics! www.msn.com/en-us/sports...
msn.com
MSN
000
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Dave Jorgenson @davejorgenson.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
the first choice is literally what Jesus would teach, i feel like i'm losing my mind
2454429526
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
As EPA weakens air pollution regulations, Black women stand to face the greatest health risks 19thnews.org/2026/02/epa-... via @19thnews.org
19thnews.org
As EPA weakens air pollution regulations, Black women stand to face the greatest health risks
They already face the highest rates of asthma-related mortality in the nation. Dirtier air will make that worse.
010
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Come learn about food additive regulation and the #GRAS loophole with me next Friday: www.afdo.org/event/unders...
afdo.org
Fresh Take Fridays Webinar — Understanding the GRAS Loophole and Food Additive Regulation in the U.S. – Association of Food and Drug Officials
020
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Undark Magazine @undark.org · 13/11/2025
Proposed laws would force miscarriage patients to collect fetal tissue, then return it in a medical waste bag. Anti-abortion groups claiming abortion pills threaten environment—with no evidence.
f.mtr.cool
Weaponizing Wastewater Laws to Block Abortion
Opinion | An anti-abortion group has been co-opting environmental laws in an effort to restrict access to medication abortion.
21211
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Cedar River Clinics @cedarriverclinics.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
"Lawmakers should devote energy to strengthening our outdated wastewater laws and funding the agencies tasked with implementing them, instead of using those laws as cover for an anti-abortion agenda." - @melaniebenesh.bsky.social
bit.ly
Weaponizing Wastewater Laws to Block Abortion
Opinion | An anti-abortion group has been co-opting environmental laws in an effort to restrict access to medication abortion.
031
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Thank you @undark.org for letting me write this piece about this insane trend
031
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Joshua Erlich @joshuaerlich.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
ouroboreos
191834344
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
I wrote for @undark.org about abortion, wastewater, and having fetal tissue stuck in my cervix for 9 days: undark.org/2025/11/13/o...
undark.org
Weaponizing Wastewater Laws to Block Abortion
Opinion | An anti-abortion group has been co-opting environmental laws in an effort to restrict access to medication abortion.
010
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Chat is it good when a lawyer for DOJ says this
9764132
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Relax, America, There Is Life After Nonstick Pans. Great piece this morning from Chef Andrew Zimmern www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Relax, America, There Is Life After Nonstick Pans
010
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Maybe not the most important thing right now, but it is utterly bizarre that the already very delayed Spring 2025 agenda was up for a couple hours nearly 3 weeks ago and still hasn't restored
000
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Overflowing with love for this city
010
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Jay Willis @jaywillis.net · 29/08/2025
The only reason for Emil Bove to be still showing up for Trump administration photo opps (in this photo from Trump’s D.C. takeover, peeking out at top right) is that Emil Bove understands himself to be part of the Trump administration on an ongoing basis www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/u...
A bunch of feds lined up before Trump and Bondi and these other White House freaks. Bove visible at upper right, as identified by the NYT
361052266
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
And yet the EPA will likely kneecap its own ability to clean up those very bases by repealing PFAS Superfund designation www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone
000
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
There is no scientific or legal basis for arguing that PFOA and PFOS are not extremely hazardous substances. They are toxic at levels much lower, in some cases orders of magnitude lower, than many (most?) other CERCLA hazardous substances. This is about protecting industry profits full stop.
nytimes.com
An Industry Insider’s Changes at the E.P.A. Could Cost Taxpayers Billions
211
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Dan O’Sullivan @osullyville.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
"Cockroaches" the exact literal term most used in Rwanda by Hutu ultranationalists against Tutsis in the lead up to when they killed hundreds of thousands of them in a matter of weeks. Also used by Begin to describe Palestinians, "drugged cockroaches in a bottle."
551383472
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
We are getting closer and closer to confirming @dqasci.bsky.social's estimate of 200 million Americans with PFAS in their water
034
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Did OMB already take down the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda?
000
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Barred and Boujee aka Madiba Dennie @audrelawdamercy.blacksky.app · 01/07/2025
reposting with alt text bc yknow what that's a good catch
excerpt from Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 which reads "And be it further enacted, That the district courts shall have, exclusively of the courts of the several States, cognizance of all crimes and offences that shall be cognizable under the authority of the United States, committed within their respective districts, or upon the high seas; where no other punishment than whipping, not exceeding thirty stripes, a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, is to be inflicted"

https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/federal-judiciary-act
19731
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Monica Amarelo @monicaamarelo.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Outdated #sunscreen rules = outdated protection Americans deserve better than questionable ingredients and blocked innovation. My colleague @melaniebenesh.bsky.social explains how FDA and industry delays are leaving Americans in the sun - unprotected. #SunBurn #SkinCancer youtu.be/QTLms4ZGi0A?...
youtu.be
America Deserves Better Sunscreen
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
001
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Mina Kimes @minakimes.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Musk should be asked about this in every interview he does now and forever. To ignore it is a dereliction of duty. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
There is one place, however, where Musk, with the help of his minions, achieved his goals. He did indeed shred U.S.A.I.D. Though a rump operation is now operating inside the State Department, the administration says that it has terminated more than 80 percent of U.S.A.I.D. grants. Brooke Nichols, an associate professor of global health at Boston University, has estimated that these cuts have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year. That is what Musk’s foray into politics accomplished.
12553960513766
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Important new analysis from EWG showing how many counties lose if Congress cuts SNAP benefits www.ewg.org/news-insight...
ewg.org
011
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Happy pub day Mariah!! Congrats on getting this important book out into the world!
020
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
"do you have food safety tips" yes as a matter of fact I do I think the people should elect representatives who appoint experts to keep food safe theres a tip for you
233343649
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Please highlight this story. ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago. kfor.com/news/local/w...
kfor.com
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
12692177613588
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
NPR @npr.org · 29/04/2025
Speaking to NPR in his first media interview since his detention, lawful permanent U.S. resident Mohsen Mahdawi finds peace in meditation and hopes "America will fulfill its promise."
npr.org
Detained on verge of U.S. citizenship, Mohsen Mahdawi speaks from Vermont prison
Speaking to NPR in his first media interview since his detention, lawful permanent U.S. resident Mohsen Mahdawi finds peace in meditation and hopes "America will fulfill its promise."
310161274300
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The toxins around us threaten our fertility. Black families face an outsize risk | Reniqua Allen-Lamphere
My fear growing up was gun violence. But a bigger threat to my body may have come from an invisible villain
000
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Monica Amarelo @monicaamarelo.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
BREAKING: The #EPA announced plans to tackle #PFAS contamination. But instead of stronger action, it’s delaying drinking water protections and letting some polluters off the hook. From @melaniebenesh.bsky.social www.ewg.org/news-insight...
ewg.org
011
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
💖 Birdhism Jen @birdhism.com · 24/04/2025
Again, birds have a lot to teach us. #birds
Cockatoo removes anti-nesting spikes and throws them away
349196032192
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Monica Amarelo @monicaamarelo.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
“People regardless of party are right to demand healthier #food,” said Scott Faber (@faberfamilyfarm.bsky.social). Faber sees the move toward removing #fooddyes as mostly talk. “An agreement requires two parties. This is more like a marriage proposal that has not been accepted.” wapo.st/42KUPJA
wapo.st
There’s a new form of environmentalism. It’s called ‘Make America Healthy Again.’
How a group of moms wary of food additives and vaccines is changing the conversation on chemical risks.
011
Melanie Benesh @melaniebenesh.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Food Industry Says There’s No Agreement With US Health Agency to Cut Dyes
The US Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it plans to work with food companies to phase out use of many artificial food colorings by 2026, but industry lobbyists say there’s no agree...
022
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
Barred and Boujee aka Madiba Dennie @audrelawdamercy.blacksky.app · 14/04/2025
related, as I pointed out in @ballsandstrikes.org, that's just not how due process works "people shouldn't get due process if they broke the law" ok but it's *through* due process that a judge determines whether anyone actually broke the law so where are we now ballsandstrikes.org/legal-cultur...
ballsandstrikes.org
Republicans Have No Earthly Idea What “Due Process” Means
Under the Constitution, due process is a right. The Trump White House wants to make it a privilege instead.
591829399
Reposted by Melanie Benesh
rimidar @rimidar.au · 15/04/2025
This is obscene
tl;dr DOGE operatives stalked a federal employee with a drone
418628