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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]