POPs in the news

05/12/2023 -

The EU is currently debating a new Soil Law. Why is it vital that the EU passes such a Law as quickly as possible? Soil is possibly the most overlooked habitat on earth, but also one of the most important. For the United Nations’ World Soil Day, we investigated just some of the surprising aspects of soil and why healthy soils matter more than you might think. More:

What is Soil Soil and Biodiversity Soil Contamination and Degradation Soil Monitoring and Resilience in the EU

4 things you need to know about soil health

The EU is currently debating a new Soil Law. Why is it vital that the EU passes such a Law as quickly as possible? Soil is possibly the most overlooked habitat on earth, but also one of the most important. For the United Nations’ World Soil Day, we investigated just some of the surprising aspects of soil and why healthy soils matter more than you might think. More:

What is Soil Soil and Biodiversity Soil Contamination and Degradation Soil Monitoring and Resilience in the EU
05/12/2023 -

The Swedish Supreme Court rules in favour of residents affected by PFAS-contaminated drinking water in the Swedish municipality of Ronneby. But the list of contaminated sites is long. Will this landmark court ruling have a domino effect on PFAS-related lawsuits? More:

PFAS Toxicity and Risk Assessment PFAS Lawsuits in Sweden

Swedish court ruling unlocks potential for more PFAS lawsuits

The Swedish Supreme Court rules in favour of residents affected by PFAS-contaminated drinking water in the Swedish municipality of Ronneby. But the list of contaminated sites is long. Will this landmark court ruling have a domino effect on PFAS-related lawsuits? More:

PFAS Toxicity and Risk Assessment PFAS Lawsuits in Sweden
04/12/2023 -

PFAS filters available for industrial waste are usually made of activated carbon. As this is comparatively expensive, researchers are looking for alternative filter materials for the so-called "eternal toxins," whose hazardous residues only degrade very slowly in the environment. More:


Using clay to combat eternal toxins: Scientists clarify basis for innovative PFAS filter made of clay

PFAS filters available for industrial waste are usually made of activated carbon. As this is comparatively expensive, researchers are looking for alternative filter materials for the so-called "eternal toxins," whose hazardous residues only degrade very slowly in the environment. More:

04/12/2023 -

Have you ever stopped to consider what you may be consuming along with your coffee when you drink it from a take-out disposable paper cup? Or what sort of chemicals you may be ingesting when you eat your hamburger wrapped in paper? More:


The truth about toxic chemicals in food packaging and how to eliminate them

Have you ever stopped to consider what you may be consuming along with your coffee when you drink it from a take-out disposable paper cup? Or what sort of chemicals you may be ingesting when you eat your hamburger wrapped in paper? More:

03/12/2023 -

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of Wausau, Wisconsin, a city of nearly 40,000 residents about 97 miles northwest of Green Bay, against 15 PFAS manufacturers and 61 major insurance players on Thursday, according to a news release from Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg's office. The lawsuit was filed by Napoli Shkolnik, a national law firm specializing in environmental litigation. More:

PFAS Drinking Water Pollution in the U.S Lawsuits Over PFAS Pollution PFAS Settlements

Wisconsin city files lawsuit against 'forever chemical' makers amid groundwater contamination

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of Wausau, Wisconsin, a city of nearly 40,000 residents about 97 miles northwest of Green Bay, against 15 PFAS manufacturers and 61 major insurance players on Thursday, according to a news release from Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg's office. The lawsuit was filed by Napoli Shkolnik, a national law firm specializing in environmental litigation. More:

PFAS Drinking Water Pollution in the U.S Lawsuits Over PFAS Pollution PFAS Settlements
01/12/2023 -

Why has glyphosate still not been banned? This is the question being put to politicians by the victims of this herbicide, as the European Commission extends its authorisation for ten more years. More:


Glyphosate: The much-criticised herbicide that's still used in Europe

Why has glyphosate still not been banned? This is the question being put to politicians by the victims of this herbicide, as the European Commission extends its authorisation for ten more years. More:

01/12/2023 -

A group of global scientific cancer experts this week classified a widespread chemical known as PFOA as carcinogenic to humans, confirming decades of research, and building on concerns about human and animal exposure to that chemical and to the larger class of manmade substances that are commonly known as “forever” chemicals because of their persistence in the environment. Separately, the experts deemed a related chemical called PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans. More:

PFAS Carcinogenicity Lawsuits Settlements

Chemical found widely in the environment causes cancer, global experts determine

A group of global scientific cancer experts this week classified a widespread chemical known as PFOA as carcinogenic to humans, confirming decades of research, and building on concerns about human and animal exposure to that chemical and to the larger class of manmade substances that are commonly known as “forever” chemicals because of their persistence in the environment. Separately, the experts deemed a related chemical called PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans. More:

PFAS Carcinogenicity Lawsuits Settlements
30/11/2023 -

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding some “forever chemicals” to the list of toxins in drinking water that must be reported. That is going to require a lot of infrastructure investment. More:

PFAS Risks for Human Health and the Environment PFAS in Drinking Water Addressing the PFAS Crisis

U.S. tap water has a $47 billion forever chemicals problem

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is adding some “forever chemicals” to the list of toxins in drinking water that must be reported. That is going to require a lot of infrastructure investment. More:

PFAS Risks for Human Health and the Environment PFAS in Drinking Water Addressing the PFAS Crisis
29/11/2023 -

Across the U.S., the Defense Department has contaminated potentially thousands of private drinking water wells with dangerous amounts of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Analyzing DOD records, EWG found that near 63 military bases in 29 states, 2,805 drinking water well samples were contaminated with PFOA and PFOS, the two most notorious and well-studied forever chemicals. More:

PFAS Pollution in the U.S. PFAS Human Health Impact PFAS Health Advisories PFAS Thresholds in Drinking Water

Abandoned: Unsafe ‘forever chemicals’ levels in thousands of drinking water samples near 63 military bases

Across the U.S., the Defense Department has contaminated potentially thousands of private drinking water wells with dangerous amounts of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Analyzing DOD records, EWG found that near 63 military bases in 29 states, 2,805 drinking water well samples were contaminated with PFOA and PFOS, the two most notorious and well-studied forever chemicals. More:

PFAS Pollution in the U.S. PFAS Human Health Impact PFAS Health Advisories PFAS Thresholds in Drinking Water
28/11/2023 -

Potentially toxic “forever chemicals” have been detected in the drinking water sources at 17 of 18 England’s water companies, with 11,853 samples testing positive, something experts say they are “extremely alarmed” by. More:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Impacts on Humans and the Environment PFAS Pollution in Europe PFAS Regulation in Europe

‘Forever chemicals’ found in drinking water sources across England

Potentially toxic “forever chemicals” have been detected in the drinking water sources at 17 of 18 England’s water companies, with 11,853 samples testing positive, something experts say they are “extremely alarmed” by. More:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Impacts on Humans and the Environment PFAS Pollution in Europe PFAS Regulation in Europe
28/11/2023 -

It is against the law to use paraquat in China, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and dozens of other countries. Many countries have banned the herbicide due to its extreme toxicity, while others have expressed concerns over the possible risk for Parkinson's disease. More:

Paraquat Dichloride and Poisoning Risk Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease Studies on Paraquat Exposure and Parkinson's Disease Industry Studies on Paraquat Regulation in the U.S. and Europe

'Burns me to a crisp': Farmers allege link between popular herbicide paraquat and Parkinson's disease

It is against the law to use paraquat in China, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and dozens of other countries. Many countries have banned the herbicide due to its extreme toxicity, while others have expressed concerns over the possible risk for Parkinson's disease. More:

Paraquat Dichloride and Poisoning Risk Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease Studies on Paraquat Exposure and Parkinson's Disease Industry Studies on Paraquat Regulation in the U.S. and Europe
28/11/2023 -

A new investigation by human rights experts appointed by the United Nations has expressed alarm at evidence of pollution from a North Carolina PFAS manufacturing plant, describing it as “alleged human rights violations and abuses against residents”. More:

What to Know About PFAS PFAS Crisis in North Carolina Appeal to UN for Human Rights in North Carolina Citizens' Right to Know and Action

UN human rights experts express alarm over PFAS pollution in North Carolina

A new investigation by human rights experts appointed by the United Nations has expressed alarm at evidence of pollution from a North Carolina PFAS manufacturing plant, describing it as “alleged human rights violations and abuses against residents”. More:

What to Know About PFAS PFAS Crisis in North Carolina Appeal to UN for Human Rights in North Carolina Citizens' Right to Know and Action
27/11/2023 -

With their shiny black tops and pure white undersides, the killer whales, or orcas, are the sleekest hunters in the ocean. But being apex predators comes with a great cost. Their bodies absorb the chemical pollutants that build up in the long chain of prey leading to their meals. Now, a recent study in Environmental Science & Technology has shown that what orcas choose to eat could affect their survival more than scientists thought. More:

Persistent Organic Pollutants POPs Transport and Boomerang Effect POPs Biomagnification in Marine Mammals POPs Impact on Killer Whales POPs Human Exposure and Impact POPs in Breast Milk

North Atlantic orcas reveal the troubling persistence of toxic ocean pollutants

With their shiny black tops and pure white undersides, the killer whales, or orcas, are the sleekest hunters in the ocean. But being apex predators comes with a great cost. Their bodies absorb the chemical pollutants that build up in the long chain of prey leading to their meals. Now, a recent study in Environmental Science & Technology has shown that what orcas choose to eat could affect their survival more than scientists thought. More:

Persistent Organic Pollutants POPs Transport and Boomerang Effect POPs Biomagnification in Marine Mammals POPs Impact on Killer Whales POPs Human Exposure and Impact POPs in Breast Milk
23/11/2023 -

The sizzle of a burger hitting a hot pan. The delicate char on roasted potatoes. The caramel parfum of a slice of toasting bread. We associate the sounds and smells of cooking with tasty, nutritious meals — but cooking is also a major source of indoor pollutants. More:

Gas Stoves and Indoor Pollution Research Findings on Cooking Emissions Human Exposure and Health Effects The Fossil Fuel Industry and Gas Stoves Towards a Ban of Gas Stoves

How to Minimize Indoor Air Pollution When Cooking at Home

The sizzle of a burger hitting a hot pan. The delicate char on roasted potatoes. The caramel parfum of a slice of toasting bread. We associate the sounds and smells of cooking with tasty, nutritious meals — but cooking is also a major source of indoor pollutants. More:

Gas Stoves and Indoor Pollution Research Findings on Cooking Emissions Human Exposure and Health Effects The Fossil Fuel Industry and Gas Stoves Towards a Ban of Gas Stoves
23/11/2023 -

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food products analyzed in a new US study were found to contain toxic pesticides, while none of the organic products sampled in the survey contained the chemicals. More:

Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables Pesticides Regulation

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food contains toxic pesticides, US study finds

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food products analyzed in a new US study were found to contain toxic pesticides, while none of the organic products sampled in the survey contained the chemicals. More:

Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables Pesticides Regulation
22/11/2023 -

Breathing clean air in Brazil’s Cerrado grassland has become increasingly hard, according to a recent study by researchers in the central state of Goiás. It found a relationship between dying lichens and exposure to glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used against weeds. More:


Glyphosate leaves its mark even in protected areas of Brazil’s Cerrado

Breathing clean air in Brazil’s Cerrado grassland has become increasingly hard, according to a recent study by researchers in the central state of Goiás. It found a relationship between dying lichens and exposure to glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used against weeds. More:

22/11/2023 -

The federal US government has paused the importation of millions of pounds of toxic PFAS “forever chemical” waste from the Netherlands following intense backlash from residents near a North Carolina facility that would receive the substances. More:

GenX Transboundary Movement PFAS Health and Social Impact

Backlash forces EPA to pause toxic PFAS waste imports to US from Netherlands

The federal US government has paused the importation of millions of pounds of toxic PFAS “forever chemical” waste from the Netherlands following intense backlash from residents near a North Carolina facility that would receive the substances. More:

GenX Transboundary Movement PFAS Health and Social Impact
22/11/2023 -

The New Lede, in a co-publishing arrangement with The Guardian, first revealed a trove of internal Syngenta documents in October 2022 and followed up in subsequent stories, exposing years of corporate efforts to cover up evidence that paraquat can cause Parkinson’s disease. More:

Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease The Public Right to Know Liability

Syngenta paraquat secrets featured on ABC News

The New Lede, in a co-publishing arrangement with The Guardian, first revealed a trove of internal Syngenta documents in October 2022 and followed up in subsequent stories, exposing years of corporate efforts to cover up evidence that paraquat can cause Parkinson’s disease. More:

Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease The Public Right to Know Liability
21/11/2023 -

Tis the season of joy and celebration – but with all the cooking and entertaining, our homes can quickly become a mess. Many of us may feel inspired to engage in a bit of seasonal cleaning – decluttering and scrubbing our living spaces from top to bottom – before guests arrive. Yet keeping our homes spick and span during the festivities poses its own set of challenges. More:

Chemicals Contained in Cleaning Products and Kitchen Equipment VOCs in Indoor Environments Cleaning Products Exposure Impact Avoiding Exposure to Harmful Chemicals While Cleaning

7 holiday cleaning tips for a healthy home

Tis the season of joy and celebration – but with all the cooking and entertaining, our homes can quickly become a mess. Many of us may feel inspired to engage in a bit of seasonal cleaning – decluttering and scrubbing our living spaces from top to bottom – before guests arrive. Yet keeping our homes spick and span during the festivities poses its own set of challenges. More:

Chemicals Contained in Cleaning Products and Kitchen Equipment VOCs in Indoor Environments Cleaning Products Exposure Impact Avoiding Exposure to Harmful Chemicals While Cleaning
21/11/2023 -

A precautionary warning first came in February 2022 for certain areas of the region. This was then expanded to the whole region in May 2023 following a preliminary investigation. The results of that study were confirmed and released this week leading the authority to confirm its warning. More:

PFAS Features, Health Risks and Management PFAS Global Diffusion in the Environment PFAS Exposure, Impact and Communication PFAS Legal Action Restricting PFAS and Other Hazardous Chemicals

Millions in France warned not to eat eggs from backyard chickens due to forever chemical pollution

A precautionary warning first came in February 2022 for certain areas of the region. This was then expanded to the whole region in May 2023 following a preliminary investigation. The results of that study were confirmed and released this week leading the authority to confirm its warning. More:

PFAS Features, Health Risks and Management PFAS Global Diffusion in the Environment PFAS Exposure, Impact and Communication PFAS Legal Action Restricting PFAS and Other Hazardous Chemicals
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