Scientists from the University of Rochester have developed new electrochemical approaches to clean up pollution from "forever chemicals" found in clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, and a wide array of other products. A new Journal of Catalysis study describes nanocatalysts developed to remediate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS. More:

• Harmful 'forever chemicals' removed from water with new electrocatalysis method  –  Phys.org
• Complete electrocatalytic defluorination of perfluorooctane sulfonate in aqueous solution with nonprecious materials (Research article)

Are you looking for the safest plastic sandwich bags similar to Ziploc without indication of PFAS “forever chemicals?” Mamavation sent several types of plastic sandwich bags to an EPA certified laboratory to find out which ones may be contaminated with PFAS. PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce, however they are very toxic, persistent, and detrimental to hormonal health. More:

• Plastic Sandwich Bags Like Ziploc Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”  –  Mamavation

New food packaging products sold in the U.S., such as takeout boxes and fast-food wrappers, will no longer contain harmful "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. More:

• PFAS 'forever chemicals' to officially be removed from food packaging, FDA says  –  Live Science

• Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Factsheet  –  US National Biomonitoring Program
• What Are PFAS?  –  Live Science
• PFAS in the U.S. Population  –  US ATSDR

• FDA Announces PFAS Used in Grease-Proofing Agents for Food Packaging No Longer Being Sold in the U.S.  –  US FDA
• Food packaging containing toxic "forever chemicals" no longer sold in U.S., FDA says  –  CBS News
• FDA Announces the Voluntary Phase-Out by Industry of Certain PFAS Used in Food Packaging  –  US FDA

• Breaking It Down: Estimating Short-Chain PFAS Half-Lives in a Human Population  –  Environmental Health Perspectives
• Breastfeeding may expose infants to toxic chemicals  –  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Understanding PFAS Exposure and Your Body  –  US ATSDR
• 12 Worst Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals & Their Health Effects  –  Live Science

• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Significance and Considerations within the Regulatory Framework of the USA (Research article)

When the simple blue-and-white postcard arrived in January 2023, Sarah Ferris missed it. The mailer, sent by the city of Vancouver, Washington, told 270,000 municipal water users that a group of chemicals called PFAS had been found in city water. Levels were low, the postcard said; the city would soon test again to comply with state law and share more information. More:

• The dangers of PFAS — and of downplaying their ubiquity  –  High Country News

• All The Stuff in Your Home That Might Contain PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’  –  Time

• Most drinking water in the U.S. is contaminated by PFAS; here’s what you can do about it  –  High Country News
• A quarter of rural water systems likely contain ‘forever chemicals’  –  High Country News

• Official health communications are failing PFAS-contaminated communities (Research article)

Hundreds of chemical facilities around the US must implement new procedures to try to better safeguard communities from accidents that are happening with alarming frequency and jeopardizing human and environmental health, regulators said this week. More:

• EPA moves to limit frequent chemical accidents  –  The New Lede

• Hazardous chemical accidents happening with “alarming frequency”  –  The New Lede
• Key Findings Chemical Incident Tracking 2021-2023 (download PDF)  –  Coming Clean
• Winter storm leaves Texas air polluted with 2.1 million pounds of unauthorized chemicals, report says  –  Fox Weather
• Toxins from Marathon refinery fire leaked 15 hours before evacuation called  –  Louisiana Illuminator

• EPA finalizes critical new chemical disaster prevention rule after years of community pressure  –  Coming Clean
• EPA finalizes stronger safety standards to protect at-risk communities from chemical accidents  –  US EPA
• Chemical Accident Prevention - EPA Should Ensure Regulated Facilities Consider Risks from Climate Change  –  GAO

Is it time to rethink your cookware? Experts say that nonstick pots and pans—even those that are advertised to be free of the harmful chemicals known as PFAS—may still contain substances with unclear effects on your health. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ are hiding in your kitchen. Here’s where—and what you can do  –  National Geographic

• Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Factsheet  –  US National Biomonitoring Program

• “Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home  –  NRDC
• Those ‘forever chemicals’ on our furniture don’t actually prevent stains  –  Fast Company
• PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foams  –  Clean Water Action

• Dietary Habits Related to Food Packaging and Population Exposure to PFASs  –  Environmental Health Perspectives
• Perfluoroalkyl Substances in U.S. market basket fish and shellfish (Research abstract)

• PFAS-Free Products  –  PFAS Central
• You Can’t Always Trust Claims on ‘Non-Toxic’ Cookware  –  Consumer Reports

The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe report purported to track residues of 31 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — known as “forever chemicals” because they are impossible to eradicate — in fruit and vegetables in the EU between 2011 and 2021. More:

• EU Policy. Fruit and veg increasingly tainted by 'forever-chemicals', NGO warns  –  EuroNews
• European citizens face increasing exposure to PFAS pesticides through fruit and vegetables  –  PAN Europe
• Toxic Harvest The rise of forever PFAS pesticides in fruit and vegetables in Europe (Report) (download PDF)  –  Pesticide Action Network et al.

Fast-food wrappers and packaging that contain so-called forever chemicals are no longer being sold in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration announced. It Is the result of a voluntary effort with U.S. food manufacturers to phase out food contact packaging made with PFAS, the acronym for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which do not degrade and can harm human health. More:

• Fast-food wrappers that contain PFAS are no longer sold in the US, the FDA says  –  AP News
• FDA Announces PFAS Used in Grease-Proofing Agents for Food Packaging No Longer Being Sold in the U.S.  –  US FDA

Philip Landrigan, M.D., '63 director of the Program on Global Public Health and the Common Good and the Boston College Global Observatory on Planetary Health, is the lead author of a groundbreaking new report about the far-reaching health hazards of plastics manufacturing and pollution across the entire product life cycle. More:

• Health hazards of plastic: From cradle to grave  –  BC News
• The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health (Research article)
• Integrating a Chemicals Perspective into the Global Plastic Treaty (Research article)

• Benchmarking the in Vitro Toxicity and Chemical Composition of Plastic Consumer Products (Research article)
• Hazardous Chemicals in PVC Flooring (Report) (download PDF)  –  Greenpeace

• Human health risks due to exposure to inorganic and organic chemicals from textiles: A review (Research article)
• Hazardous chemicals in branded textile products on sale in 27 countries during 2012 (Report) (download PDF)  –  Greenpeace

• Widespread Chemical Contamination of Recycled Plastic Pellets Globally (download PDF)  –  IPEN
• Downsides of the recycling process: Harmful organic chemicals in children's toys (Research article)

• Plastic Products Leach Chemicals That Induce In Vitro Toxicity under Realistic Use Conditions (Research article)
• Systematic evidence on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals: Most chemicals detected in food contact materials are not listed for use (Research article)
• Identification and quantification of the migration of chemicals from plastic baby bottles used as substitutes for polycarbonate (Research abstract)

• X-Press Pearl: A 'New kind of oil spill' (Report) (download PDF)  –  IPEN
• An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: Migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling (Research article)
• Occurrence and concentrations of chemical additives in plastic fragments on a beach on the island of Kauai, Hawaii (Research article)
• Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife (Research abstract)

• Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics in Marine Environments: International Pellet Watch (Research abstract)
• The Complex Mixture, Fate and Toxicity of Chemicals Associated with Plastic Debris in the Marine Environment (Research article)
• Microplastic as a Vector for Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment: Critical Review and Model-Supported Reinterpretation of Empirical Studies (Research article)
• Relative importance of microplastics as a pathway for the transfer of hydrophobic organic chemicals to marine life (Research article)

• Accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals in tissues of seabirds ingesting marine plastics (Research abstract)
• In Vivo Accumulation of Plastic-Derived Chemicals into Seabird Tissues (Research article)
• Transfer of Additive Chemicals From Marine Plastic Debris to the Stomach Oil of Northern Fulmars (Research article)
• The complex issue of chemicals and microplastic pollution: A case study in North Pacific lanternfish (Research article)

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are human-made substances that were used as coolants and lubricants in electrical equipment until they were banned due to their links to health problems and because they do not break down easily in the environment. More:

• Cancer-causing PCB chemicals still being produced despite 40-year-old ban  –  The Guardian

• Is current generation of polychlorinated biphenyls exceeding peak production of the 1970s? (Research abstract)

• Levels of toxic PCB chemicals found at 30 times ‘safe’ limits in stranded whales  –  The Guardian
• Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations and profiles in marine mammals from the North Atlantic Ocean (Research article)

Plastics, pesticides and forever chemicals are exposing billions of people around the world to pernicious and dangerous health effects, a new report has found. In the report, scientists from the Endocrine Society and the International Pollutants Elimination Network criticized the way regulators determine the toxicity level of chemicals — and suggested that for a staggering array of common compounds, no dose may be safe. More:

• For thousands of common chemicals, there is ‘no safe level,’ says report  –  The Hill

• Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Threats to Human Health (download PDF)  –  IPEN & Endocrine Society
• Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity (Research article)
• The Effect of Bisphenol A on Puberty: A Critical Review of the Medical Literature (Research article)

All those chemical pesticides have had a profound impact on ecosystems and human health. It is why some countries have banned them, and the EU has long threatened — but failed — to outlaw glyphosate, a controversial weedkiller that threatens biodiversity and has been linked to the development of cancer. But what's the alternative?. More:

• What are natural pesticides?  –  DW
• How Germany's ban on harmful pesticides could impact Africa  –  DW
• Neem: A Tree For Solving Global Problems - Effects on Insects  –  US National Libray of Medicine

Il y a toujours plus de "polluants éternels" (PFAS) dans les fruits et légumes en Europe, dénoncent plusieurs ONG dans une enquête. La présence de pesticides contenant ces substances chimiques a explosé entre 2011 et 2021 dans les végétaux consommés dans l'Union européenne, notamment dans les fruits d'été. More:

• Explosion des "polluants éternels" dans les fruits et légumes européens  –  RTS

• Pesticides PFAS révélations (Report) (download PDF)  –  PAN Europe & Générations Futures
• Pesticides PFAS : révélation sur une situation ignorée jusqu’à ce jour !  –  Générations Futures

Billions of denim garments are produced each year, with the global denim market valued at $63.5 billion in 2020. To produce this classic garment, producers rely on indigo dye, the only molecule known to provide jeans’ unique, beloved color. While indigo itself is naturally derived from a plant, growing demand for blue jeans throughout the 20th century gave rise to synthetic indigo, which is now more commonly used. More:

• Blue jeans are terrible for the environment—but a new discovery could help  –  National Geographic

• The surprising science of blue jeans  –  CNET
• Blue jeans: An iconic fashion item that’s costing the planet dearly  –  Mongabay
• Critical Review on Sustainability in Denim: A Step toward Sustainable Production and Consumption of Denim (Research article)

• Chemists go green to make better blue jeans  –  Nature
• Chemoenzymatic indican for light-driven denim dyeing (Research article)

Analysis conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe revives debate on PFAS ban covering active substances in pesticides. Residues of toxic “forever chemicals” substances traceable on fruit and vegetables has reportedly tripled in the EU over the last 10 years, according to an NGO report. More:

• EU Policy. Fruit and veg increasingly tainted by 'forever-chemicals', NGO warns  –  EuroNews
• ‘Forever chemicals’ found in fruit and veg  –  Footprint
• Toxic Harvest: The rise of forever PFAS pesticides in fruit and vegetables in Europe  –  Pesticide Action Network Europe

Does your favorite deodorant contain indications of PFAS “forever chemicals?” PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce. More:

• Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Found in Deodorants — Guide  –  Mamavation

• Immunotoxicity and allergenic potential induced by topical application of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a murine model (Research abstract)
• Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours (Research abstract)
• Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk  –  US National Cancer Institute
• Save the Swimmers: Why Phthalates Are the Hormonal Enemy of Boys  –  Mamavation

A UN human rights panel calls on the UN Environment Assembly to take on “forever chemicals” at a meeting in Nairobi, citing a North Carolina PFAS plant as an example of environmental negligence. More:

• Chemours and DuPont Knew About Risks But Kept Making Toxic PFAS Chemicals, UN Human Rights Advisors Conclude  –  Inside Climate News
• US companies DuPont and Chemours generated extensive contamination with toxic “forever chemicals” in North Carolina: UN experts  –  OHCHR
• Toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ released by DuPont and Chemours caused significant harm  –  Earth.com

• An Assessment Report on Issues of Concern: Chemicals and Waste Issues Posing Risks to Human Health and the Environment  –  UNEP
• Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)  –  Endocrine

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), mainly short-chain CPs (SCCPs) and medium-chain CPs (MCCPs), are currently the most produced and used industrial chemicals related to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally. These chemicals are widely detected in the environment and in the human body. As the release of SCCPs and MCCPs from products represents only a small fraction of their stock in products, the potential long-term release of CPs from a large variety of products at the waste stage has become an issue of great concern. More:

• Exploring long-term global environmental impacts of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in waste: Implications for the Stockholm and Basel Conventions and the global plastic treaty (Research article)

• Chlorinated paraffins in the technosphere: A review of available information and data gaps demonstrating the need to support the Stockholm Convention implementation (Research article)
• Widespread presence of chlorinated paraffins in consumer products (Research article)
• Initial assessment of imports of chlorinated paraffins into Nigeria and the need of improvement of the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions (Research article)

• Short-, Medium-, and Long-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Wildlife from Paddy Fields in the Yangtze River Delta (Research article)
• Environmental risks of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins  –  Food Packaging Forum

• Critical review on disposition of chlorinated paraffins in animals and humans (Research article)
• Chlorinated paraffins and dechloranes in free-range chicken eggs and soil around waste disposal sites in Tanzania (Research article)
• Circular economy could expose children to hazardous phthalates and chlorinated paraffins via old toys and childcare articles (Research article)
• Distribution and Pattern Profiles of Chlorinated Paraffins in Human Placenta of Henan Province, China (Research article)

Nanotechnology has pervaded numerous industrial sectors over the past decades. Although many of us may not be aware of it, nanomaterials are now embedded within many of the the products we use in our daily lives. Recent developments suggest that agriculture could be next in line. More:

• Nanotechnology promises to help farmers cut pesticide use – but could also make chemicals more toxic  –  The Conversation

• Nanomaterials are changing the world – but we still don’t have adequate safety tests for them  –  The Conversation
• Nanotechnology - not that green?  –  Nanowerk
• Why nanotechnology is more than just a buzzword  –  The Conversation
• How Small is a Nanoparticle? (YouTube)  –  Sanford Burnham Prebys
• A guide to the nanotechnology used in the average home  –  The Conversation

• Discovering Novel Insecticides with Nanoparticles  –  AZO Nano
• Tailored Nanopesticides Support Sustainable Agricultural Practice  –  AZO Nano
• Small amounts of pesticides reaching target insects (Research article)
• Technology readiness and overcoming barriers to sustainably implement nanotechnology-enabled plant agriculture (Research abstract)
• Sustainability Claims of Nanoenabled Pesticides Require a More Thorough Evaluation (Research article)

This report examines the commercial availability and current uses of PFASs and alternatives in cosmetics, as well as their market penetration, feasibility, effectiveness and cost. Thirty-six PFASs (polymeric and non-polymeric) were identified as intentionally added to cosmetics. PFASs provide a wide range of functions in cosmetic products, acting as hair and skin conditioning agents, emulsifiers, stabilisers, oil and water-resistant agents, lubricants, bulking agents and/or oil-resistant surfactants. More:

• PFASs and alternatives in cosmetics report on commercial availability and current uses  –  OECD
• IN-DEPTH: For clean beauty brands, getting PFAS out of makeup might be easier said than done  –  EHN

• Identification and classification of commercially relevant per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Research article)
• Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment- Terminology, Classification, and Origins (Research article)
• Environmental fate and effects of polyand perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Report)(download PDF)  –  Concawe
• Risk management scope for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)  –  Government of Canada

• An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Research article)
• Historical and current usage of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A literature review (Research article)
• Occurrence of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in personal care products and compounding agents (Research abstract)

• Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Cosmetics  –  US FDA
• PFASs in Cosmetics (Report) (download PDF)  –  KEMI
• In the News: PFAS and Cosmetics – the Facts  –  CTPA
• 'Forever chemicals' still in use in UK make-up  –  BBC
• PFAS Found in L’Oréal Cosmetics  –  Verdant Law

• Risk assessment of fluorinated substances in cosmetic products  –  The Danish Environmental Protection Agency
• Safety Assessment of Polyfluorinated Polymers as Used in Cosmetics  –  Cosmetic Ingredient Review

• Are cosmetics a significant source of PFAS in Europe? product inventories, chemical characterization and emission estimates (Research article)
• Targeted and Suspect Screening of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products (Research abstract)
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fluorine mass balance in cosmetic products from the Swedish market: implications for environmental emissions and human exposure (Research article)