Federal testing of soil samples from 100 sites across New Hampshire has found high levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in every sample that was collected, prompting concerns that the amounts of these chemicals in soil, along with water and air, could be much higher than previously thought. The analysis, done by U.S. Geological Survey, […]
Toxic polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” have been found in everything from products like cleaners, cosmetics and grease-resistant food packaging to air, water and soil — even in remote locations — as well as human blood. Now, some of the most commonly used food pesticides in the U.S. have been found to be contaminated with […]
Plunging into the ocean or a lake is one of the great joys of summer. But arriving at the beach to find water that’s green, red or brown, and possibly foul-smelling, can instantly spoil the party.
As a toxicologist, I study health risks from both synthetic and natural substances. I’ve conducted research into early detection of harmful algal blooms, or HABs, which are an increasing threat to humans, animals and the environment.
Body lotions, shampoos, cleaners and other everyday household products are safe to use, right? That’s what many of us assume, but a new study from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), and the Silent Spring Institute reveals that these products actually contain toxic chemicals that could be harmful to our health. Many of these […]
On April 20, Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship exploded over the Gulf of Mexico three minutes into its inaugural launch. While the fiery spectacle caught the attention of the public, it was the eruptive ground-level portion of the launch that has been attracting more intense scrutiny from the government and environmentalists. Last Thursday’s blastoff from SpaceX’s […]
Quick Key Facts We use a lot of plastic. Since the 1950s, more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been produced by humans. All in all, only 9% of these plastics have actually been recycled, and the rest has either been incinerated or landed up in landfills — and, in many cases, in the […]
When trying to be environmentally sustainable, living in suburbia can make it pretty difficult. The suburbs have been responsible for 50% of carbon emissions in the United States, mainly due to a reliance on automobiles. Suburban homes also conserve far less energy due to the heating and cooling of larger houses, which also contributes to […]
Quick Key Facts In November of 2021, the U.S. Navy’s massive Red Hill underground fuel storage facility on O’ahu leaked 19,000 gallons of petroleum into the islands’ main drinking water aquifers, poisoning the water for over 93,000 people and sickening thousands of their own military families and civilians. The disaster occurred after years of protest, […]
People of color are far more likely to breathe heavily polluted air than white people, the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air report shows.