Health + Wellness

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    U.S. Wildfire Suppressants Revealed as Major Sources of Toxic Metal Pollution

    U.S. Wildfire Suppressants Revealed as Major Sources of Toxic Metal Pollution

    Some wildfire suppressants in the U.S. contain levels of toxic metals up to 2,880 times the regulator limits set for drinking water, according to a recently published study. Further, researchers found that wildfire suppressants may have contributed to around 850,000 pounds of toxic metal pollution in the western U.S. from 2009 to 2021. When toxic […]

    Microplastics in Human Placentas Linked to Premature Births

    Microplastics in Human Placentas Linked to Premature Births

    A new study presented as part of the annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine meeting has revealed a link between microplastic bioaccumulation in the human placenta to preterm, or premature, births. In the study, researchers analyzed 175 placentas collected at both term and preterm, or under 37 weeks of pregnancy, and measured the amounts of 12 […]

    Microplastics Block Blood Flow in Mice Brains, Study Shows

    Microplastics Block Blood Flow in Mice Brains, Study Shows

    As microplastics become more and more prevalent, even showing up in seafood, clouds and human testicular tissue, scientists are working to further understand how these plastic particles could impact ecosystems and human health. Based on a new study, scientists are now concerned about how microplastics could affect our brains after finding that the particles can […]

    Chemours Chemical Plant Still Polluting West Virginia Water With Toxic PFAS After Almost 25 Years, Lawsuit Claims

    Chemours Chemical Plant Still Polluting West Virginia Water With Toxic PFAS After Almost 25 Years, Lawsuit Claims

    A Chemours chemical plant in West Virginia is polluting nearby waters with toxic PFAS “forever chemicals,” according to a new lawsuit brought by the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. The complaint is the most recent in a fight that has been ongoing since 2001 over pollution from the Washington Works plant, reported The Guardian. The PFAS-contaminated […]

    Scientists Identify Bacteria That Can Break Down Some PFAS and Their Byproducts

    Scientists Identify Bacteria That Can Break Down Some PFAS and Their Byproducts

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have taken on the nickname “forever chemicals” for their inability to break down in the environment. These chemicals, which are found in everything from food packaging to camping gear, are popular for their stain-, moisture- and grease-resistant properties, but they have been found to accumulate in the environment and […]