LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Following interviews of three candidates on Thursday evening, the Clearlake City Council chose two to join the Clearlake Planning Commission.
Christopher Inglis and Jack Smalley were selected in a unanimous vote to serve four-year terms on the commission.
They will join the five-member commission, whose other members are Robert Coker, Terry Stewart and Fawn Williams.
Inglis and Smalley succeed Lisa Wilson and Erin McCarrick on the commission.
Wilson had previously indicated she did not intend to seek another term. On Thursday evening, McCarrick clarified for the city — which had reported that she was seeking another term — that she also did not intend to return to the commission.
The city received five applications for the two seats. In addition to Inglis and Smalley, applicants were Jamie DeWalt, Chris Jennings and Carlos Eduardo Ramos.
Jennings pulled out of the running before the meeting and Ramos did not appear for the interviews.
The council asked a series of questions of each candidate. DeWalt went first, and the others were asked to wait outside of the council chambers during her interview.
DeWalt works for a bank, Inglis is a certified financial planner and Smalley works for the county of Lake as a plans examiner. While DeWalt and Smalley both have lived in the county for more than 25 years, Inglis is a relative newcomer.
All of the interviewees noted interest in city growth and housing.
Smalley, in particular, noted that he felt that the housing issue is a major one for the whole state, and that Clearlake is going in a good direction with its effort to develop more housing.
“Getting people off the street should be a major objective,” he said.
Following the interviews, the council voted by ballot and City Clerk Melissa Swanson conducted the tabulation. Smalley received the most votes, followed by Inglis, DeWalt and Ramos.
During public comment, Rick Mayo, the Lake County NAACP Branch president and co-founder, who also is a former city planning commissioner, said he was glad to see how the council was handling the appointments for the very important position.
“It’s a big job,” Mayo said.
Councilman Dirk Slooten moved to appoint Smalley and Inglis, with Councilman David Claffey seconding and the council approving the motion 5-0.
Councilman Russell Cremer said it was a tough vote, noting that DeWalt also is qualified.
Mayor Russell Perdock asked DeWalt to apply again as he wanted to encourage community members to participate.
Claffey called them “three incredible candidates,” adding that there is a lot of need within the community for people like them.
The Clearlake Planning Commission is next set to meet on March 14.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The leadership of the Clearlake Police Department was officially placed in the hands of two of its veteran officers on Thursday night.
The Clearlake City Council hosted a swearing-in for new Police Chief Tim Hobbs and Lt. Ryan Peterson following a police leadership reception.
Hobbs, 41, in February marked 20 years with the Clearlake Police Department.
He had been appointed interim chief and on Dec. 19 was sworn in at an event marking the departure of the man he called his mentor, Chief Andrew White, who was hired as police chief in the city of Martinez.
The council unanimously approved giving Hobbs the chief’s job on a permanent basis at its Jan. 5 meeting.
Since then, another key promotion took place: Sgt. Ryan Peterson, a 15-year department veteran considered to be one of Lake County’s top detectives, was given the lieutenant’s job, succeeding Hobbs in that post.
City Manager Alan Flora, noting Hobbs has spent his entire career with the Clearlake Police Department, said, “You’ve filled nearly every role available during your time here.”
While that in itself didn’t necessarily qualify or prepare Hobbs to become chief, Flora said Hobbs has shown himself to be ready, facing challenges in his first weeks and responding well to them.
Flora said he’s frequently hearing from community members that they are impressed with how Hobbs is handling himself in the leadership role.
Hobbs has stepped into the police chief role at a time when the police department is performing at a high level, Flora said.
“We haven’t peaked yet and I strongly believe you are the right person for this time,” Flora said. “Thank you for your willingness to serve.”
City Clerk Melissa Swanson then administered the oath to Hobbs and his fiancee pinned on his badge.
Hobbs thanked Flora and the council for the confidence they have shown in him by his appointment.
“This position comes with very important responsibilities. Thank you for the faith you have shown in me,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs then thanked his predecessor, Andrew White, who had made the trip from Martinez for the event.
Hobbs credited White for being key to making the department a better place and setting them up to move forward as they continue to improve and grow.
He said he learned a lot from White, and would not be in this place today without his mentorship.
Those who work in law enforcement know that no police officer can be truly successful without support of family, and Hobbs said he has that.
To the community, Hobbs said, “Our level of service and our commitment to the community is second to none. I am proud and happy to be part of this team.”
As chief, he said will do his best to make sure the agency maintains and, when possible, improves its service.
He then turned to the audience to deliver a message directly to the department employees, telling them he needed their help.
“No chief of police can be successful without the support, dedication and hard work of their employees at every level within the department,” he said.
Mayor Russell Perdock paused to recognize dignitaries who had come to support Hobbs, including White, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen and Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta.
After his swearing-in, Hobbs then welcomed Peterson forward.
Like Hobbs, Peterson has spent his entire career with the Clearlake Police Department.
Peterson most recently served as patrol sergeant before being promoted after his performance in the lieutenant’s testing process, Hobbs said.
Hobbs thanked Peterson for being a part of the Clearlake Police team, and putting in all the hard work and dedication in his time with the agency.
He then administered the oath to Peterson, shaking his hand afterward.
Peterson received a standing ovation from the council and the audience.
His young daughters then came forward and one pinned on his badge, giving him a big hug afterward.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County and the rest of the North Coast aren't past winter storms yet.
The National Weather Service is forecasting more snow beginning on Saturday and continuing into early next week.
The agency has issued a winter storm watch for Lake County that’s in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Sunday.
The National Weather Service’s Eureka office said the incoming winter storm will impact elevations above the 1,000 foot elevation level from Saturday through early next week.
Forecasters urged North Coast residents to start planning now for heavy snow in higher elevations, and heavy showers and thunderstorms near sea level.
The lineup of snowstorms that began last week is reminiscent of the series of atmospheric rivers that brought heavy rain to Lake County and much of the rest of California beginning at Christmas and continuing through January.
The specific Lake County forecast shows daytime temperatures dipping into the 40s through Tuesday and the high 20s and night.
Areas like Cobb are expected to see rain and snow beginning on Saturday, with the potential to consider through Tuesday, while other areas like the Northshore may not see snow until Monday.
The National Weather Service’s map of snowfall shows amounts ranging from 2 to 6 inches of snow around the lake, and areas in the northern mountains that are part of the Mendocino National Forest getting as much as 18 inches.
In related weather news, on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in 13 counties due to the winter storms and activated the California Guard.
Lake County was not included in the proclamation, despite the fact that Sheriff Rob Howe on Friday declared a local emergency, which the Board of Supervisors unanimously ratified on Tuesday.
The counties in the governor’s Wednesday proclamation, which supports disaster response and relief, are Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare.
It’s not clear why Lake wasn’t included, but Howe told the board on Tuesday that the damage from the recent storms may not be clear in Lake County until the snow melts.
Howe at that point had warned that the storms were not yet over.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
No one can blame parents for being spooked by new research finding that tweens’ risk of suicidal behavior increases with their amount of screen time.
However, lead researcher Jason Nagata, MD, of UCSF Benioff Children Hospitals, says that caregivers should view these findings mostly as a reminder to ingrain healthy screen use habits in their kids as early as possible.
So your study found that screen use increases suicide risk?
The more time kids spend using screens from ages 9 to 11 years old, the higher their odds of suicidal behaviors two years later, at ages 11 to 13. Specifically, each additional hour of screen time increased the risk by 9%. The risk was highest with texting, followed by video chatting, watching videos, and playing video games. Social media didn’t show an effect, but that may be because, technically, kids aren’t allowed to be on social media platforms until they are 13 (though some still are), so we didn’t have as much data there.
What does “suicidal behavior” mean?
It means thinking about suicide, with or without a specific plan, as well as attempting suicide. We weren’t able to separate attempts versus types of thoughts in this study. I should also note that, overall, suicidal behavior was uncommon in these young kids, occurring in just 1.38% of the 11,633 kids we studied. The risk of suicidal behavior tends to increase with age, so this could be seen as an early warning sign.
Why does screen time increase suicidal behavior?
Time spent on screens often displaces time spent on in-person socializing, physical activity and sleep – all of which are good for mental health. Screen usage can lead to cyberbullying, poor eating habits, isolation and disrupted sleep – all of which can worsen mental health. It also increases exposure to potentially anxiety-provoking or otherwise distressing content.
Is all screen time bad for tweens?
Screens can be helpful in some cases, like for kids who, say, are LGBTQ and don’t have real-life access to support, and to stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. I’d say it’s about being thoughtful about how kids engage with screens and keeping an eye on what they consume.
What can parents do to help kids use screens safely?
It’s important for parents to do what’s developmentally appropriate. For older teens, it’s about giving advice. With younger children, preteens and young teens, it makes sense to have a more hands-on approach, like using parental controls and keeping them off social media until they are 13. This time, during early adolescence, is when you set the behaviors that will help kids develop healthy screen habits later on.
What healthy screen habits do you recommend for tweens?
• Avoid screens before bedtime. We know screen use interferes with sleep, and good sleep is so important for mental health.
• Avoid snacking while using screens, to make eating more intentional; and no use of screens during family meals. That helps keep family time about connection, and also helps parents monitor their kids’ eating, which is important because screen overuse is connected to disordered eating, a mental health issue.
• Parents can also establish screen-free zones, like bathrooms and bedrooms. Kids are less likely to get into violent or harmful content in public spaces in the home.
• Parents should try to model all these behaviors for their kids, which can be the hardest part.
What questions are you still trying to answer about screen time and suicide risk?
One is whether screen use causes suicidality, or whether the increased odds of suicide is because kids who are already depressed are more prone to using screens. With this paper, we see a little more evidence that it’s screens leading to suicidal behavior, because we adjusted for mental health at baseline and we looked at the kids two years later.
Another question is, how can we identify the 1% of kids who might tip into suicidality? We need to learn more about the type of content they consume and how it might play a role.
Jess Berthold writes for the University of California San Francisco News Center.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Water Resources Department has determined Highland Springs Recreation Area will remain closed until further notice, due to potentially life-threatening conditions caused by storm damage.
This closure includes the Range and Rod and Gun Club.
County work crews conducted an initial survey on Wednesday and observed hundreds of downed trees and partially fallen limbs on recreational trails, parking areas and the disc golf course.
With saturated soils, high winds, freezing temperatures and more precipitation anticipated, additional damage may occur.
District 4 Supervisor Michael Green, was on site to observe damage brought by recent storms.
“The disc golf course and picnic areas suffered little structural damage, but there are an unprecedented number of downed trees, ‘widow makers’ and other hazards,” Green said.
“It will likely take weeks to fully assess the damage and bring in forestry crews and equipment to prepare the park for public use. We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation,” Green added.
Highland Springs Recreation Area is owned by the Lake County Watershed Protection District and managed by the Lake County Water Resources Department.
For more information, contact Water Resources at 707-263-2344 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on the Lake County Public Defenders’ Advisory Committee.
The work of the Lake County Public Defenders’ Advisory Committee involves reviewing generally the provision of indigent defense services in Lake County, advising the Board of Supervisors on matters of equity and social justice related to indigent defense services, and the preparation of statistical reports to the Board of Supervisors annually on the state of the indigent defense services in Lake County.
The committee met regularly until March of 2018, at which time the meetings stopped. The county of Lake has not responded to Lake County News’ questions about why the meetings stopped five years ago.
Now, however, the county wants to restart the committee.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors discussed a report on indigent defense services. At that time, County Counsel Anita Grant recommended the committee could be more robust and involve people who have been involved in the criminal justice system.
The county said all committee members are expected to have substantial experience and expertise relevant to indigent public defense services and to reflect the diversity of Lake County to the extent practicable.
Individuals selected for this committee must be able to commit the time necessary to attend meetings and participate effectively as a member.
While serving on the committee, no member may engage in the provision of indigent defense services, hold a position as a prosecuting attorney or be an employee of the Lake County Superior Court.
Committee composition
The county is seeking recommendations for appointments to this Committee from associations/groups active in Lake County that focus on indigent criminal defense issues based upon the experiences of persons identifying as African-American, Native American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Asian-American and members of the LBGTQ+ communities.
Organizations that meet the criteria listed above may each submit three names. The submittal must include an application and other written materials relevant to the organization’s recommendation of each applicant.
Additionally, the county is seeking applications from:
• Persons with significant experience providing indigent defense services of five (5) or more years, who does not presently provide such services in Lake County; and • Persons with significant experience as indigent criminal defendants in the County of Lake.
Applications are available at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, California, or online.
There are frequently asked questions that people have about revocable living trusts, wills, supported decision making agreements (new), powers of attorney and advance health care directives.
Basically it is what do these documents accomplish and how do they work?
California’s new Supported Decision Making, or SDM, law allows adults with disabilities to authorize trusted persons (e.g., family and friends) to assist them in understanding, making, communicating and implementing their own informed choices, and to have supporters present at important meetings.
A disabled person’s capacity to engage in a wide range of activities is to be determined with such decision making supports in place.
A SDM agreement can authorize supporters to assist a disabled person in estate planning and much more.
A decedent’s will nominates an executor to administer the decedent’s estate, including the distribution of specific gifts and other assets.
A person can execute a simple handwritten will, a statutory will, or have a professional draft a will. Any will, other than a handwritten will, must be witnessed by two disinterested witnesses (i.e., who have no interest under the will).
At death, a will only applies to assets that are not otherwise transferred under a trust, a designation of death beneficiary form or a joint tenancy title.
A trust controls and manages trust assets during a person’s life and at death. Assets held in a living trust avoid conservatorships (during the settlor’s disability) and probate (at the settlor’s death).
Assets transferred into a living trust must belong to the settlor(s) who established the trust. A married couple may together establish a joint (two settler) trust to receive their community property assets.
Each spouse may choose to transfer his or her own separate property assets into a joint trust or else keep their separate property assets in a separate property trust.
Trust assets are titled – for ownership and control — to the trustee(s). Trustee(s) are fiduciaries, i.e., the legal representative of the trust, who administer the provisions in the trust as written, unless unenforceable (i.e., contrary to law or to strong public policy). When a trust is silent on an issue the trustee follows the California Probate Code.
Successor trustees nominated in the trust take office when the last initial trustee(s) resigns, is incapacitated or dies. When and how the transfer occurs is stated in the trust. Some trusts also include a method to fill a trustee vacancy if no nominated successor trustees accepts.
Living trusts can be amended by the settlor(s) as stated in the trust instrument or in the Probate Code. The incapacity or the death of the settlor make the trust irrevocable. A joint trust, however, sometimes allows either settlor acting alone to amend the living trust, in some or all particulars.
Next a power of attorney, or POA, allows a person (i.e., the principal) to authorize another person (i.e., the agent) to act as a fiduciary (representative) over some or all of the principal’s own legal, property and financial affairs; but not the assets held in a trust.
A POA can either be effective upon signing or upon incapacity of the principal. If used to transfer title to real property, a power of attorney must be recorded with the county recorder.
Lastly, advanced health care directive, or AHCD, like a POA, delegates authority to an agent to act in a fiduciary capacity, but with respect to the principal’s health care only.
An AHCD is needed when the principal is unable to make health care decisions, most notably at the end of life.
The foregoing discussion is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
Dennis A. Fordham, attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Dozens of dogs are waiting for homes at the Clearlake Animal Shelters.
There currently are 35 adoptable dogs at the shelter available to be adopted into new homes.
They include “Olive,” a female Labrador retriever mix, and “Toffee,” a male German shepherd mix.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution marking March 3 as World Hearing Day.
World Hearing Day acknowledges the millions of Americans who are facing disabling hearing loss, brings awareness to the different causes of deafness, and promotes finding solutions in preventing hearing loss.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to designate March 3 as World Hearing Day,” said Thompson. “The resolution recognizes the millions of Americans who experience disabling hearing loss and provides an opportunity to come together and push for policies that support ear and hearing care and pursue cures to various causes of deafness. On World Hearing Day, I am committed to working with Rep. Fitzpatrick and my colleagues to support those with disabling hearing loss and advance research into hearing care.”
“Forty-eight million Americans are currently suffering with hearing loss,” said Fitzpatrick. “That is why I am proud to support this bipartisan resolution which raises awareness of those suffering and recognizes the need for increased access to care.”
"The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association applauds Representatives Thompson and Fitzpatrick for introducing today’s resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Hearing Day," said 2023 ASHA President Robert M. Augustine, PhD, CCC-SLP. "ASHA looks forward to continued work with Reps. Thompson and Fitzpatrick to increase access to hearing health care and technology to improve quality of life for all individuals living with hearing loss.”
The full text of the resolution can be found below.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. RES. ll
Expressing support for the goals and ideals of ‘‘World Hearing Day’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. THOMPSON of California submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the goals and ideals of ‘‘World Hearing Day’’.
Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated March 3 as World Hearing Day;
Whereas the theme for World Hearing Day 2023 is ‘‘Ear and Hearing Care for All’’;
Whereas approximately 466 million people worldwide, including 34 million children, have disabling hearing loss;
Whereas the WHO estimates that by 2050 over 900 million people—1 in every 10—will have disabling hearing loss;
Whereas approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss and people with hearing impairments wait on average 7 years before seeking help;
Whereas hearing issues are the most common service-connected disability among American veterans;
Whereas the number of adults in the United States 20 years or older with hearing loss is expected to increase from 44.1 million in 2020 to 73.5 million by 2060;
Whereas individuals with mild hearing loss are 3 times more likely to experience a fall, and falls are the leading cause of fatal injury for Americans over 65;
Whereas seniors with hearing loss are more likely to develop cognitive problems and experience cognitive decline up to 40 percent faster than those without hearing loss;
Whereas untreated hearing loss can lead to depression, anxiety, and social isolation, especially during the coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic;
Whereas uneven coverage of and access to hearing technology and services contribute to significant disparities in hearing care; and
Whereas timely access to diagnosis and treatment for hearing and vestibular conditions by qualified hearing health care professionals can improve outcomes and reduce overall cost of care: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives — (1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘World Hearing Day’’; (2) encourages awareness about ways to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care; and (3) supports efforts to improve access to hearing health care and technology for all individuals.
Earth and Venus are rocky planets of about the same size and rock chemistry, so they should be losing their internal heat to space at about the same rate.
How Earth loses its heat is well known, but Venus’ heat flow mechanism has been a mystery.
A study that uses three-decade-old data from NASA’s Magellan mission has taken a new look at how Venus cools and found that thin regions of the planet’s uppermost layer may provide an answer.
Our planet has a hot core that heats the surrounding mantle, which carries that heat up to Earth’s rigid outer rocky layer, or lithosphere. The heat is then lost to space, cooling the uppermost region of the mantle.
This mantle convection drives tectonic processes on the surface, keeping a patchwork of mobile plates in motion. Venus doesn’t have tectonic plates, so how the planet loses its heat and what processes shape its surface have been long-running questions in planetary science.
The study looks at the mystery using observations the Magellan spacecraft made in the early 1990s of quasi-circular geological features on Venus called coronae.
Making new measurements of coronae visible in the Magellan images, the researchers concluded that coronae tend to be located where the planet’s lithosphere is at its thinnest and most active.
“For so long we’ve been locked into this idea that Venus’ lithosphere is stagnant and thick, but our view is now evolving,” said Suzanne Smrekar, senior research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, who led the study published in Nature Geoscience.
Just as a thin bedsheet releases more body heat than a thick comforter, a thin lithosphere allows more heat to escape from the planet’s interior via buoyant plumes of molten rock rising to the outer layer. Typically, where there’s enhanced heat flow, there’s increased volcanic activity below the surface. So coronae likely reveal locations where active geology is shaping Venus’ surface today.
The researchers focused on 65 previously unstudied coronae that are up to a few hundred miles across. To calculate the thickness of the lithosphere surrounding them, they measured the depth of the trenches and ridges around each corona.
What they found is that ridges are spaced more closely together in areas where the lithosphere is more flexible, or elastic.
By applying a computer model of how an elastic lithosphere bends, they determined that, on average, the lithosphere around each corona is about 7 miles (11 kilometers) thick — much thinner than previous studies suggest.
These regions have an estimated heat flow that is greater than Earth’s average, suggesting that coronae are geologically active.
“While Venus doesn’t have Earth-style tectonics, these regions of thin lithosphere appear to be allowing significant amounts of heat to escape, similar to areas where new tectonic plates form on Earth’s seafloor,” said Smrekar.
A window into Earth’s past
To calculate how old a celestial body’s surface material is, planetary scientists count the number of visible impact craters.
For a tectonically active planet like Earth, impact craters are erased by the subduction of continental plates and covered by molten rock from volcanoes.
If Venus lacks tectonic activity and the regular churn of Earth-like geology, it should be covered in old craters. But by counting the number of Venusian craters, scientists estimate that the surface is relatively young.
Recent studies suggest the youthful appearance of Venus’ surface is likely due to volcanic activity, which drives regional resurfacing today. This finding is supported by the new research indicating higher heat flow in coronae regions – a state that Earth’s lithosphere may have resembled in the past.
“What’s interesting is that Venus provides a window into the past to help us better understand how Earth may have looked over 2.5 billion years ago. It’s in a state that is predicted to occur before a planet forms tectonic plates,” said Smrekar, who is also the principal investigator of NASA’s forthcoming Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy (VERITAS) mission.
VERITAS will pick up where Magellan left off, improving upon that mission’s data, which is low resolution and comes with large margins of error. Targeting launch within a decade, the mission will use a state-of-the-art synthetic aperture radar to create 3D global maps and a near-infrared spectrometer to figure out what the surface is made of. VERITAS will also measure the planet’s gravitational field to determine the structure of Venus’ interior. The instruments will together fill in the story of the planet’s past and present geologic processes.
“VERITAS will be an orbiting geologist, able to pinpoint where these active areas are, and better resolve local variations in lithospheric thickness. We’ll be even be able to catch the lithosphere in the act of deforming,” said Smrekar. “We’ll determine if volcanism really is making the lithosphere ‘squishy’ enough to lose as much heat as Earth, or if Venus has more mysteries in store.”
Acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis on Thursday signed legislation to help maintain the state’s COVID-19 operational preparedness by codifying two emergency waivers regarding COVID-19 laboratory testing and therapeutics — statutory changes the Newsom Administration called for, and the Legislature expedited, this session.
AB 269, an urgency measure by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), authorizes qualified laboratory personnel to continue solely processing COVID-19 tests and permits COVID-19 testing sites contracted with the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, to continue dispensing COVID-19 therapeutics until January 2024.
“This measure preserves important tools in the state’s response to the pandemic and will continue to protect public health as California moves forward, focusing on preparedness and support for our communities,” said Kounalakis.
As previously announced in October, the state’s COVID-19 state of emergency ended on Feb. 28, 2023.
The state’s SMARTER Plan continues to guide California’s work to support local communities, and COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment are available throughout the state.
You’ve probably been hearing the term PFAS in the news lately as states and the U.S. government consider rules and guidelines for managing these “forever chemicals.”
Even if the term is new to you, chances are good that you’re familiar with what PFAS do. That’s because they’re found in everything from nonstick cookware to carpets to ski wax.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are a large group of human-made chemicals – currently estimated to be around 9,000 individual chemical compounds – that are used widely in consumer products and industry. They can make products resistant to water, grease and stains and protect against fire.
Waterproof outdoor apparel and cosmetics, stain-resistant upholstery and carpets, food packaging that is designed to prevent liquid or grease from leaking through, and certain firefighting equipment often contain PFAS. In fact, one recent study found that most products labeled stain- or water-resistant contained PFAS, and another study found that this is even true among products labeled as “nontoxic” or “green.” PFAS are also found in unexpected places like high-performance ski and snowboard waxes, floor waxes and medical devices.
At first glance, PFAS sound pretty useful, so you might be wondering “what’s the big deal?”
The short answer is that PFAS are harmful to human health and the environment.
Some of the very same chemical properties that make PFAS attractive in products also mean these chemicals will persist in the environment for generations. Because of the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found across almost every part of the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets, and in 98% of the American public.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued new warnings about their risk in drinking water even at very low levels.
Health risks from PFAS exposure
Once people are exposed to PFAS, the chemicals remain in their bodies for a long time – months to years, depending on the specific compound – and they can accumulate over time.
Research consistently demonstrates that PFAS are associated with a variety of adverse health effects. A recent review by a panel of experts looking at research on PFAS toxicity concluded with a high degree of certainty that PFAS contribute to thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, liver damage and kidney and testicular cancer.
Further, they concluded with a high degree of certainty that PFAS also affect babies exposed in utero by increasing their likelihood of being born at a lower birth weight and responding less effectively to vaccines, while impairing women’s mammary gland development, which may adversely impact a mom’s ability to breastfeed.
The review also found evidence that PFAS may contribute to a number of other disorders, though further research is needed to confirm existing findings: inflammatory bowel disease, reduced fertility, breast cancer and an increased likelihood of miscarriage and developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy. Additionally, current research suggests that babies exposed prenatally are at higher risk of experiencing obesity, early-onset puberty and reduced fertility later in life.
Collectively, this is a formidable list of diseases and disorders.
Who’s regulating PFAS?
PFAS chemicals have been around since the late 1930s, when a DuPont scientist created one by accident during a lab experiment. DuPont called it Teflon, which eventually became a household name for its use on nonstick pans.
Decades later, in 1998, Scotchgard maker 3M notified the Environmental Protection Agency that a PFAS chemical was showing up in human blood samples. At the time, 3M said low levels of the manufactured chemical had been detected in people’s blood as early as the 1970s.
Despite the lengthy list of serious health risks linked to PFAS and a tremendous amount of federal investment in PFAS-related research in recent years, PFAS haven’t been regulated at the federal level in the United States.
The EPA has issued advisories and health-based guidelines for two PFAS compounds – PFOA and PFOS – in drinking water, though these guidelines are not legally enforceable standards. And the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has a toxicological profile for PFAS.
States, meanwhile, have been taking their own actions to protect residents against the risk of PFAS exposure.
At least 23 states have laws targeting PFAS in various uses, such as in food packaging and carpets. But relying on state laws places burdens on state agencies responsible for enforcing them and creates a patchwork of regulations which, in turn, place burdens on business and consumers to navigate regulatory nuances across state lines.
So, what can you do about PFAS?
Based on current scientific understanding, most people are exposed to PFAS primarily through their diet, though drinking water and airborne exposures may be significant among some people, especially if they live near known PFAS-related industries or contamination.
The best ways to protect yourself and your family from risks associated with PFAS are to educate yourself about potential sources of exposures.
Products labeled as water- or stain-resistant have a good chance of containing PFAS. Check the ingredients on products you buy and watch for chemical names containing “fluor-.” Specific trade names, such as Teflon and Gore-Tex, are also likely to contain PFAS.
Check whether there are sources of contamination near you, such as in drinking water or PFAS-related industries in the area. Some states don’t test or report PFAS contamination, so the absence of readily available information does not necessarily mean the region is free of PFAS problems.
If you believe you have been exposed to PFAS and are concerned about your health, contact your health care provider. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has a succinct report to help health care professionals understand the clinical implications of PFAS exposure.
This article was updated July 8, 2022, with new legislation signed in Rhode Island and Hawaii.