Group asks EPA to ban weed killer WASHINGTON (AP) - Tap water across the Midwest is contaminated by dangerously high levels of weed killer that pose a cancer risk to bottle-fed babies, an environmental group said Wednesday. The group's president urged the Environmental Protection Agency to ban atrazine and noted that water utilities are spending millions to clean chemical from drinking water. Atrazine, a chemical sprayed on corn, was found in tap water in 796 towns and cities in the nation's Corn Belt, according to a report by the Environmental Working Group. Atrazine, in high doses, has been linked to cancer. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560471752-73d> Manipulated trees said less harmful (AP) - Scientists in Michigan say they are cultivating genetically modified trees that grow almost twice as fast as normal trees and may be a more environmentally friendly raw material for paper. If the trees can be grown commercially, they could increase the timber output of forests and reduce the amount of chemicals used in bleaching paper pulp. The scientists at the Michigan Technological University were looking for a way to grow trees with less lignin, a glue-like substance that has to be separated from wood fibers before they can be used to make paper. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560461498-5a7>
