Health + Wellness

Nearly One-Third of U.S. Residents Exposed to Dangerous, Unregulated Contaminants in Drinking Water, Analysis Finds

Nearly One-Third of U.S. Residents Exposed to Dangerous, Unregulated Contaminants in Drinking Water, Analysis Finds

More than 97 million United States residents have been exposed to contaminants in their drinking water that are unregulated and could affect their health, a new analysis by Silent Spring Institute has found. Hispanic and Black communities have a higher likelihood of their water being contaminated by unsafe levels of toxic chemicals, a press release […]

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    Scientists Identify 11 Genes That Could Help Understand How PFAS Affects the Brain

    Scientists Identify 11 Genes That Could Help Understand How PFAS Affects the Brain

    It’s no secret that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, are now well-established in the human body, with their presence detected in blood, umbilical cords and human milk. And while experts have linked PFAS exposure to health concerns like elevated cancer risks, endocrine disruption, developmental disruption and reduced immune system […]

    In Latest PFAS Lawsuit, Georgia County Says Chemical Companies and Carpet Makers Used Toxins Despite Knowing Risks

    In Latest PFAS Lawsuit, Georgia County Says Chemical Companies and Carpet Makers Used Toxins Despite Knowing Risks

    In a recent lawsuit, Murray County, Georgia, alleged that corporations 3M, Daikin and DuPont have used toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” to produce products in Northwest Georgia while hiding associated dangers since the 1960s, causing a public health crisis. The county is also suing carpet manufacturers, including Shaw and Mohawk Industries, reported […]

    Maryland Sues Maker of Waterproof Material Gore-Tex Over Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Pollution

    Maryland Sues Maker of Waterproof Material Gore-Tex Over Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Pollution

    Maryland is suing W.L. Gore & Associates, the maker of Gore-Tex — a waterproof material often used in outdoor gear such as raincoats — alleging its leaders continued to use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” long after they learned of the chemicals’ serious health risks. The complaint filed in federal court last week […]

    Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution Linked to Slower Marathon Times

    Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution Linked to Slower Marathon Times

    Planning to tackle a marathon in the new year? While getting in your stretches and miles of practice, you may also want to prepare for air quality when training. According to new research, poor air quality could play a role in slower marathon finish times. Researchers at Brown University School of Public Health have found […]

    Major Win for Youth Climate Activists in Montana Supreme Court

    Major Win for Youth Climate Activists in Montana Supreme Court

    The Montana Supreme Court upheld a landmark victory on Wednesday, affirming a lower court’s decision that the energy policies of the state violated youth activists’ constitutional rights to a clean environment. The ruling in Held v. Montana last August invalidated a law stopping regulators from taking into consideration the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions when […]

    Many Smartwatch Wristbands Hold High Levels of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Study Finds

    Many Smartwatch Wristbands Hold High Levels of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Study Finds

    Wearable tech devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches have become the constant companions of many who rely on them for alerts, transactions and health and location information day and night. What wearers of these devices may not know is that many of them contain elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” that […]

    ‘Forever Chemical’ TFA Detected in Mineral Water Brands in Europe

    ‘Forever Chemical’ TFA Detected in Mineral Water Brands in Europe

    A new report from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe revealed the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in mineral water products sourced from around Europe. Researchers tested 19 mineral water samples in total, including two mineral water brands from France, four Belgian brands, one brand from the Netherlands, […]