cancer

EPA Bans Two Chemicals Common in Dry Cleaning and Industrial Use

EPA Bans Two Chemicals Common in Dry Cleaning and Industrial Use

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned two chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning because of their toxicity and cancer risks.  The EPA announced on Dec. 9 that it finalized the risk management regulations for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). PCE is commonly used for dry cleaning […]

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    Massachusetts to Phase Out Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Gear

    Massachusetts to Phase Out Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Gear

    Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey has signed a new law to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the protective gear firefighters wear. PFAS “forever chemicals” do not break down in the environment and have been associated with serious health problems, including liver and thyroid issues, immune system disruption, cancer and reproductive harm. They […]

    PFAS Are Absorbed Through Skin Contact at Higher Levels Than Previously Thought, Study Finds

    PFAS Are Absorbed Through Skin Contact at Higher Levels Than Previously Thought, Study Finds

    A new study has confirmed that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals, are absorbed through human skin. Additionally, researchers found that these chemicals are being absorbed through the skin at higher levels than previously thought. The research, published in the journal Environment International, set out to investigate the dermal absorption […]

    EPA Announces First-Ever Rule Limiting PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

    EPA Announces First-Ever Rule Limiting PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the first-ever nationwide, legally enforceable limits on harmful per- polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — known as “forever chemicals” — in drinking water. The rule is the biggest leap so far in EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will lower exposure to the toxic substances for roughly 100 million […]

    EPA Limits Toxic Pollution From Chemical Plants

    EPA Limits Toxic Pollution From Chemical Plants

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized clean air standards that will limit the toxic pollutants released by chemical plants. According to the agency, the new standards will reduce the number of people with increased cancer risks in vulnerable communities near these chemical plants by 96%. The rule sets out to limit toxic air […]

    Arsenic in Bangladesh Drinking Water to Rise With Sea Levels

    Arsenic in Bangladesh Drinking Water to Rise With Sea Levels

    Climate-induced sea level rise will lead to dangerous levels of arsenic being released into Bangladesh’s drinking water, putting tens of millions of people in the country at greater risk of cancer, new research by scientists from Norwich University has found. Scientists say global heating due to human-caused climate change will lead to extreme weather, sea […]