Leigh Krietsch Boerner
@leighkboerner.bsky.social
journo on enviro policy, pollution, chemicals, plastics, & other stuff for Chemical and Engineering News. Data ♡er. Recovering chemist and Wirecutter editor. Posts belong to just me and certainly not my employer, the American Chemical Society. She/her/Dr
please give my new colleague some love (aka reads and reposts)
My first foray into food chemicals -- which I'm learning is a busy, busy beat right now, especially at the state level
West Virginia enacted the US’s first broad ban on synthetic food dyes in March. On Monday, an industry group filed the first lawsuit seeking to overturn the ban. cen.acs.org/policy/West-...
October 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
please give my new colleague some love (aka reads and reposts)
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
The @cenmag.bsky.social science team was up early this morning to report on this year's #ChemNobel. Check out Prachi Patel's excellent story on the prize.
It’s a material world after all. And this year’s #NobelPrize in Chemistry has been awarded to researchers who created a family of materials that could help solve some of humanity’s most critical problems. Read more: cen.acs.org/people/nobel...
#ChemNobel #Chem #Chemistry #chemsky 🧪
#ChemNobel #Chem #Chemistry #chemsky 🧪
October 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The @cenmag.bsky.social science team was up early this morning to report on this year's #ChemNobel. Check out Prachi Patel's excellent story on the prize.
eggshell, oyster, nail, garage: things you don't want to swallow
How did you do in Connections today? Players must select four groups of four words without making more than three mistakes. nyti.ms/4q21rOu
October 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
eggshell, oyster, nail, garage: things you don't want to swallow
the world needs this content
It happened. Last night I was feeling despair about a lot of different things and I realized I needed to enlist my dog’s help to make me feel better.
I present to you Maggie the Pug as Cher Pugowitz.
I present to you Maggie the Pug as Cher Pugowitz.
October 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
the world needs this content
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
The official website of the Nobel Prize - NobelPrize.org
The Nobel Prize rewards science, humanism and peace efforts. This is one of the central concepts in the will of Alfred Nobel, and it also permeates the outreach activities that have been developed for...
www.nobelprize.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
COVID-19 data are limited this week due to the government shutdown, but we are not entirely without information on how the disease is spreading. Many independent dashboards as well as state and local sites continue to offer info. (1/3)
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/n...
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/n...
October 7, 2025 at 8:33 PM
COVID-19 data are limited this week due to the government shutdown, but we are not entirely without information on how the disease is spreading. Many independent dashboards as well as state and local sites continue to offer info. (1/3)
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/n...
thesicktimes.org/2025/10/07/n...
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
Denise Okafor, a biochemist at Penn State and one of C&EN's Talented 12, will be speaking at the #CENT12 Symposium on Monday, August 18 in Washington, DC. RSVP here: connect.discoveracs.org/talented-12-...
Read more: cen.acs.org/biological-c...
Read more: cen.acs.org/biological-c...
August 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Denise Okafor, a biochemist at Penn State and one of C&EN's Talented 12, will be speaking at the #CENT12 Symposium on Monday, August 18 in Washington, DC. RSVP here: connect.discoveracs.org/talented-12-...
Read more: cen.acs.org/biological-c...
Read more: cen.acs.org/biological-c...
my in-person recordings of Tuesday's announcement:
Lee Zeldin's remarks youtu.be/aozqFnwPk_o
Chris Wright's remarks youtu.be/WjGWoyBaNms
Q&A at the end youtu.be/ItcKtov6pSM
(I did record the whole event but in the interest in time and internet speed, only uploaded these sections)
Lee Zeldin's remarks youtu.be/aozqFnwPk_o
Chris Wright's remarks youtu.be/WjGWoyBaNms
Q&A at the end youtu.be/ItcKtov6pSM
(I did record the whole event but in the interest in time and internet speed, only uploaded these sections)
Yesterday at a semi-truck warehouse in the middle of nowhere Indiana, Lee Zeldin annouced that the EPA is trying to recind the regulatory basis to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. I was there. Here's my story for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/policy/regul...
EPA rejects key finding underpinning US climate rules
Energy secretary cites new DOE report on climate change by known climate denialists to justify repeal
cen.acs.org
July 31, 2025 at 5:10 PM
my in-person recordings of Tuesday's announcement:
Lee Zeldin's remarks youtu.be/aozqFnwPk_o
Chris Wright's remarks youtu.be/WjGWoyBaNms
Q&A at the end youtu.be/ItcKtov6pSM
(I did record the whole event but in the interest in time and internet speed, only uploaded these sections)
Lee Zeldin's remarks youtu.be/aozqFnwPk_o
Chris Wright's remarks youtu.be/WjGWoyBaNms
Q&A at the end youtu.be/ItcKtov6pSM
(I did record the whole event but in the interest in time and internet speed, only uploaded these sections)
Yesterday at a semi-truck warehouse in the middle of nowhere Indiana, Lee Zeldin annouced that the EPA is trying to recind the regulatory basis to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. I was there. Here's my story for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/policy/regul...
EPA rejects key finding underpinning US climate rules
Energy secretary cites new DOE report on climate change by known climate denialists to justify repeal
cen.acs.org
July 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Yesterday at a semi-truck warehouse in the middle of nowhere Indiana, Lee Zeldin annouced that the EPA is trying to recind the regulatory basis to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. I was there. Here's my story for @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/policy/regul...
my take on the EPA rollback of power plant emissions rule, in @cenmag.bsky.social An interesting thing is kinda buried tho. cen.acs.org/policy/EPA-a...
EPA aims to roll back greenhouse gas and mercury emission rules
Zeldin’s EPA argues that US power plant carbon emissions aren’t ‘significant’—recent study says total is more than most countries
cen.acs.org
June 12, 2025 at 9:34 PM
my take on the EPA rollback of power plant emissions rule, in @cenmag.bsky.social An interesting thing is kinda buried tho. cen.acs.org/policy/EPA-a...
Trump's 'Gold Standard Science' EO is more like 'fool's gold'. Latest from me in @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/policy/Gold-...
(to steal a term from @standupforscience.bsky.social's open letter)
(to steal a term from @standupforscience.bsky.social's open letter)
‘Gold Standard Science’ may lead to discarding valid research
Trump’s executive order gives political appointees power to enforce standards that scientists call unattainable
cen.acs.org
May 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Trump's 'Gold Standard Science' EO is more like 'fool's gold'. Latest from me in @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/policy/Gold-...
(to steal a term from @standupforscience.bsky.social's open letter)
(to steal a term from @standupforscience.bsky.social's open letter)
why are men so emotional
Must See: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and #EPA Chief Lee Zeldin got into a shouting match over agency grant cancellations during a Senate hearing. thehill.com/policy/energ...
May 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
why are men so emotional
Grad students will need to start cutting their pH strips into quarters instead of into halves I guess
The U.S. research community needs to learn how to thrive with less money from the federal government.
That was the blunt message from Michael Kratsios, science adviser to President Donald Trump and head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. scim.ag/4k0EIiv
That was the blunt message from Michael Kratsios, science adviser to President Donald Trump and head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. scim.ag/4k0EIiv
Trump’s science adviser defends funding cuts as a chance to ‘revitalize’ U.S. science
Michael Kratsios says DEI has led to a loss of public trust in universities
scim.ag
May 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Grad students will need to start cutting their pH strips into quarters instead of into halves I guess
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
The Senate #Environment and #PublicWorks Committee is interested in hearing how the #EPA 's work has helped you, a loved one, or your community. Deadline is TODAY (before the budget hearing tomorrow)
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
How has the EPA helped you?
Has the Environmental Protection Agency cleaned up a toxic area in your community? Restored clean water access to your community? Cleaned up the air you breathe? Replaced lead pipes in your town?
The...
docs.google.com
May 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The Senate #Environment and #PublicWorks Committee is interested in hearing how the #EPA 's work has helped you, a loved one, or your community. Deadline is TODAY (before the budget hearing tomorrow)
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
ATTN #ChemSky: It's time to nominate folks for C&EN's Trailblazers 🎉
This year, we'll be featuring disabled chemists & chemical engineers, and highlighting their research and how they make their workspaces more accessible!
Nominate someone here by June 4: cenm.ag/nominatetrai...
#DisabledInSTEM
This year, we'll be featuring disabled chemists & chemical engineers, and highlighting their research and how they make their workspaces more accessible!
Nominate someone here by June 4: cenm.ag/nominatetrai...
#DisabledInSTEM
May 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
ATTN #ChemSky: It's time to nominate folks for C&EN's Trailblazers 🎉
This year, we'll be featuring disabled chemists & chemical engineers, and highlighting their research and how they make their workspaces more accessible!
Nominate someone here by June 4: cenm.ag/nominatetrai...
#DisabledInSTEM
This year, we'll be featuring disabled chemists & chemical engineers, and highlighting their research and how they make their workspaces more accessible!
Nominate someone here by June 4: cenm.ag/nominatetrai...
#DisabledInSTEM
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
I'm helping lead @cenmag.bsky.social's Trailblazers 2025, and I want you 🫵 to nominate a chemist with disabilities for us to feature. Before June 4, fill out this form and recognize a chemist who inspires you: cenm.ag/nominatetrai...
Microsoft Forms
cenm.ag
May 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I'm helping lead @cenmag.bsky.social's Trailblazers 2025, and I want you 🫵 to nominate a chemist with disabilities for us to feature. Before June 4, fill out this form and recognize a chemist who inspires you: cenm.ag/nominatetrai...
any ALS researchers follow me here? or ppl know of researchers on BlueSky studying ALS?
will go looking for myself, but trying the passive option first.
will go looking for myself, but trying the passive option first.
May 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
any ALS researchers follow me here? or ppl know of researchers on BlueSky studying ALS?
will go looking for myself, but trying the passive option first.
will go looking for myself, but trying the passive option first.
EPA reorg essentially dissolves its independent science arm, the Office of Research and Development (ORD). But the EPA is not answering questions about it, and ORD scientists are left scrambling and confused. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/environment/...
May 7, 2025 at 4:55 PM
EPA reorg essentially dissolves its independent science arm, the Office of Research and Development (ORD). But the EPA is not answering questions about it, and ORD scientists are left scrambling and confused. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/environment/...
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
Trump proposes unprecedented budget cuts for US science in next fiscal year
NASA cut by 24%
NIH cut by 40%
EPA cut by 55%
NSF cut by 56%
Analysis from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @dangaristo.bsky.social @alexwitze.bsky.social and @nature.com team
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
NASA cut by 24%
NIH cut by 40%
EPA cut by 55%
NSF cut by 56%
Analysis from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @dangaristo.bsky.social @alexwitze.bsky.social and @nature.com team
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Trump proposes unprecedented budget cuts to US science
Huge reductions, if enacted, could have ‘catastrophic’ effects on US competitiveness and the scientific pipeline, critics say.
www.nature.com
May 2, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Trump proposes unprecedented budget cuts for US science in next fiscal year
NASA cut by 24%
NIH cut by 40%
EPA cut by 55%
NSF cut by 56%
Analysis from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @dangaristo.bsky.social @alexwitze.bsky.social and @nature.com team
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
NASA cut by 24%
NIH cut by 40%
EPA cut by 55%
NSF cut by 56%
Analysis from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @dangaristo.bsky.social @alexwitze.bsky.social and @nature.com team
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
this is why journalists tend to drink, isn't it
May 2, 2025 at 9:25 PM
this is why journalists tend to drink, isn't it
EPA reorg includes changes to offices of Administrator, Air and Radiation, Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), and Water. No details on the ORD? Looking to talk to EPA scientists, esp from ORD. Please reach out [email protected] or leigh_boerner.75 on signal. lnkd.in/gVt-iAEv
May 2, 2025 at 7:51 PM
EPA reorg includes changes to offices of Administrator, Air and Radiation, Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), and Water. No details on the ORD? Looking to talk to EPA scientists, esp from ORD. Please reach out [email protected] or leigh_boerner.75 on signal. lnkd.in/gVt-iAEv
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
ICYMI yesterday: EPA Funding Cuts Target Disadvantaged Communities, Analysis Shows
insideclimatenews.org/news/0105202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0105202...
EPA Funding Cuts Target Disadvantaged Communities, Analysis Shows - Inside Climate News
In its bid to resist a court order to unfreeze grants, the Trump administration reveals a laser focus on eliminating environmental justice aid.
insideclimatenews.org
May 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
ICYMI yesterday: EPA Funding Cuts Target Disadvantaged Communities, Analysis Shows
insideclimatenews.org/news/0105202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0105202...
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
The US Food and Drug Administration plans to work with industry to remove petroleum-based food dyes from the US food supply by the end of next year. cen.acs.org/food/food-in... 🧪
FDA eyes phaseout of petroleum-based food dyes
Plan relies on industry voluntarily eliminating artificial colors in food
cen.acs.org
April 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The US Food and Drug Administration plans to work with industry to remove petroleum-based food dyes from the US food supply by the end of next year. cen.acs.org/food/food-in... 🧪
Reposted by Leigh Krietsch Boerner
Ever had to wear an ill-fitting lab coat? I have! It's a common experience that's uncomfortable at best, and dangerous at worst.
Read more about lab coats and the companies rethinking their designs at @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/safety/lab-s...
#ChemSky #Science
Read more about lab coats and the companies rethinking their designs at @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/safety/lab-s...
#ChemSky #Science
Ill-fitting lab coats raise safety and inclusivity concerns
The protective garments are not only uncomfortable but can pose a danger to researchers
cen.acs.org
April 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Ever had to wear an ill-fitting lab coat? I have! It's a common experience that's uncomfortable at best, and dangerous at worst.
Read more about lab coats and the companies rethinking their designs at @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/safety/lab-s...
#ChemSky #Science
Read more about lab coats and the companies rethinking their designs at @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/safety/lab-s...
#ChemSky #Science
Trump's Jan EO, now a proposed OPM rule, makes federal workers who don't advance presidential policies easier to fire. My latest in @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/policy/US-ru... (edited bc apparently I can't spell)
April 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Trump's Jan EO, now a proposed OPM rule, makes federal workers who don't advance presidential policies easier to fire. My latest in @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/policy/US-ru... (edited bc apparently I can't spell)