Health + Wellness

Makers of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Covered Up Health Risks, Secret Industry Documents Reveal

Makers of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Covered Up Health Risks, Secret Industry Documents Reveal

Makers of PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) “forever chemicals” have a lot to hide. Exposure to the toxic compounds — found in everything from nonstick cookware and personal care products, like shampoo and dental floss, to waterproof rain gear — has been shown to cause cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage and fertility issues. Recently, previously […]

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    Egg Labels, Decoded

    Egg Labels, Decoded

    Faced with a wall of egg cartons at the grocery store, all plastered with different labels and phrases, it’s hard to know what to choose. Which is better: cage-free, free range or pasture-raised? What does “farm-fresh” mean? What lies behind the USDA Organic label? Are vegetarian-fed hens healthier and happier? Without uniform regulation of these […]

    American Heart Association Certifies a Plant-Based ‘Meat’ Product for the First Time

    American Heart Association Certifies a Plant-Based ‘Meat’ Product for the First Time

    For the first time, a meat alternative product has received the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Heart-Check Mark, meaning it meets criteria to deem the plant-based meat product as a heart-healthy food. Beyond Meat’s product Beyond Steak gained the certification, which requires products to meet certain targets such as being low in saturated fat, cholesterol and […]

    Heading to a Beach This Summer? Here’s How to Keep Harmful Algae Blooms From Spoiling Your Trip

    Heading to a Beach This Summer? Here’s How to Keep Harmful Algae Blooms From Spoiling Your Trip

    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.

    Microplastics 101: Everything You Need to Know

    Microplastics 101: Everything You Need to Know

    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 […]

    How to Be More Sustainable in Suburbia

    How to Be More Sustainable in Suburbia

    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 […]