chemicals

64% of World’s Farmland at Risk From Pesticide Pollution, Study Finds

64% of World’s Farmland at Risk From Pesticide Pollution, Study Finds

About one third of the world’s agricultural land is at high risk from pesticide pollution, a new study has found. The research, published in Nature Geoscience Monday, looked at the use and spread of 92 active pesticide ingredients in 168 countries. They considered an area at risk if the concentration of a chemical exceeded the […]

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    Hawaii Moves to Ban More Reef-Harming Sunscreens

    Hawaii Moves to Ban More Reef-Harming Sunscreens

    Hawaii is on its way to banning more reef-damaging sunscreens. On Tuesday of last week, its state Senate approved Senate Bill 132, which would ban all sunscreens containing the chemicals avobenzone or octocrylene. The bill then moved to the House, where it passed its first reading on Thursday, March 11. If approved, it would build […]

    Ozone-Depleting CFC Chemicals Will Reemerge From Ocean by 2075, Study Finds

    Ozone-Depleting CFC Chemicals Will Reemerge From Ocean by 2075, Study Finds

    The Montreal Protocol banning ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 1987 has been hailed as an example of successful international collaboration to stop an environmental threat. But, like a creature from a horror movie, those banned chemicals could rise from the depths to stalk our atmosphere once again. That’s the finding of a new study, which concluded […]

    New Pesticides Will Modify Insect Genes: What Could Go Wrong?

    New Pesticides Will Modify Insect Genes: What Could Go Wrong?

    By Kendra Klein Biden’s election has boosted hopes that scientific integrity will be restored in the federal government. To make good on that promise, the administration will need to take action to safeguard against the risks of an entirely new type of pesticide, one developed by genetic engineers rather than chemists. These pesticides will broadcast […]

    What Are Phthalates, and How Do They Put Children’s Health at Risk?

    What Are Phthalates, and How Do They Put Children’s Health at Risk?

    By Stephanie Eick You may not realize it, but you likely encounter phthalates every day. These chemicals are found in many plastics, including food packaging, and they can migrate into food products during processing. They’re in personal care products like shampoos, soaps and laundry detergents, and in the vinyl flooring in many homes. They’re also […]

    Eco-Friendly Solutions for the Top 5 Pests

    Eco-Friendly Solutions for the Top 5 Pests

    Dealing with pest infestations in your home can be stressful. While there are plenty of exterminators that can use toxic chemicals to rid you of your problem, sometimes you want a less harmful solution. Luckily, there are some DIY, eco-friendly methods and natural products that can effectively keep pests out of your home. Below, we’re […]

    Texas Refineries Released Tons of Pollutants During Storm

    Texas Refineries Released Tons of Pollutants During Storm

    By Brett Wilkins Texas oil refineries released hundreds of thousands of pounds of pollutants including benzene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide into the air as they scrambled to shut down during last week’s deadly winter storm, Reuters reported Sunday. Winter storm Uri, which killed dozens of people and cut off power to over […]

    Californians With Long Commutes Are Inhaling Carcinogens, Study Finds

    Californians With Long Commutes Are Inhaling Carcinogens, Study Finds

    Californians with long commutes may be inhaling chemicals that put them at risk for cancer and birth defects, a new study has found. Led by UC Riverside, a study published in Environment International found that up to 90 percent of the population with 30-minute commutes in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Santa Clara and Alameda […]