POPs in the news

Wicked Games: How Playing With Toys Can Expose Children to Harmful Chemicals

04/01/2024 -

Like many consumer products, toys are composed of a range of materials, such as plastics, textiles, and metals. While chemicals of concern provide toys with certain functions such as fragrance, color, and plasticity, exposure can result in long-term health effects for children, interfering with the hormone system or cognitive development. More:

Chemicals of Concern in Toys Human Exposure: Children Chemicals in Products and Policy Chemicals Management in the Toy Sector

Wicked Games: How Playing With Toys Can Expose Children to Harmful Chemicals

Like many consumer products, toys are composed of a range of materials, such as plastics, textiles, and metals. While chemicals of concern provide toys with certain functions such as fragrance, color, and plasticity, exposure can result in long-term health effects for children, interfering with the hormone system or cognitive development. More:

Chemicals of Concern in Toys Human Exposure: Children Chemicals in Products and Policy Chemicals Management in the Toy Sector

The race to destroy the toxic ‘forever chemicals’ polluting our world

04/01/2024 -

“Forever chemicals” are in our drinking water sources, sea foam and spray, rain and groundwater, sea ice, and even human blood – so now efforts are increasing to detect, remove and destroy them. More:

PFAS in Consumer Products PFAS Human Exposure and Health Impact PFAS Decontamination and Destruction Technologies Right to Information PFAS Regulation PFAS Settlements

The race to destroy the toxic ‘forever chemicals’ polluting our world

“Forever chemicals” are in our drinking water sources, sea foam and spray, rain and groundwater, sea ice, and even human blood – so now efforts are increasing to detect, remove and destroy them. More:

PFAS in Consumer Products PFAS Human Exposure and Health Impact PFAS Decontamination and Destruction Technologies Right to Information PFAS Regulation PFAS Settlements

The Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food

04/01/2024 -

CR tested popular fast foods and supermarket staples for bisphenols and phthalates, which can be harmful to your health. Here's what we found—and how to stay safer. More:

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Chemicals in Plastics Chemicals in Food Phthalates: Human Exposure Phthalates: Human Health Effects Alternatives and Regulation

The Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food

CR tested popular fast foods and supermarket staples for bisphenols and phthalates, which can be harmful to your health. Here's what we found—and how to stay safer. More:

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Chemicals in Plastics Chemicals in Food Phthalates: Human Exposure Phthalates: Human Health Effects Alternatives and Regulation

‘Forever chemicals’ were everywhere in 2023. Expect more litigation in 2024

28/12/2023 -

Lawsuits accusing major chemical companies of polluting U.S. drinking water with toxic PFAS chemicals led to over $11 billion in settlements in 2023, with experts predicting that new federal regulations and a growing awareness of the breadth of PFAS contamination in the U.S. will spur more litigation and settlements in the year ahead. More:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Managing the PFAS Crisis PFAS - Lawsuits and Settlements PFAS - Regulation and Lawsuits Impact

‘Forever chemicals’ were everywhere in 2023. Expect more litigation in 2024

Lawsuits accusing major chemical companies of polluting U.S. drinking water with toxic PFAS chemicals led to over $11 billion in settlements in 2023, with experts predicting that new federal regulations and a growing awareness of the breadth of PFAS contamination in the U.S. will spur more litigation and settlements in the year ahead. More:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Managing the PFAS Crisis PFAS Lawsuits and Settlements PFAS Regulation and Lawsuits Impacts

The Science on Benzene Keeps Getting Scarier. Industry Remains in Denial

21/12/2023 -

In the spring of 1977, federal workplace-safety regulators were confronted with a grim government study. Current and former employees of two Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plants in Ohio had been using benzene, a chemical long suspected of causing leukemia, to make a rubberized food wrap called Pliofilm. Workers who had been exposed to benzene in concentrations once considered safe had a five- to 10-times higher risk of developing leukemia than the general public, the study found. More:

The Refinery Sector Benzene Toxicity and Risk Assessment Benzene Human Health Effects Industry Findings and Occupational Exposure

The Science on Benzene Keeps Getting Scarier. Industry Remains in Denial

In the spring of 1977, federal workplace-safety regulators were confronted with a grim government study. Current and former employees of two Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plants in Ohio had been using benzene, a chemical long suspected of causing leukemia, to make a rubberized food wrap called Pliofilm. Workers who had been exposed to benzene in concentrations once considered safe had a five- to 10-times higher risk of developing leukemia than the general public, the study found. More:

The Refinery Sector Benzene Toxicity and Risk Assessment Benzene Human Health Effects Industry Findings and Occupational Exposure

Plastics, pesticides and pills: how chemical exposures affect sperm health

19/12/2023 -

Poor diet, stress, smoking and obesity are known factors impairing sperm health, but they don’t paint the entire picture. More:

The Male Fertility Issue Factors Influencing Male Fertility Pesticides in Food Chemicals in Plastics BPA Regulation

Plastics, pesticides and pills: how chemical exposures affect sperm health

Poor diet, stress, smoking and obesity are known factors impairing sperm health, but they don’t paint the entire picture. More:

The Male Fertility Issue Factors Influencing Male Fertility Pesticides in Food Chemicals in Plastics BPA Regulation

Cinnamon applesauce investigation finds lead levels more than 2,000 times higher than proposed standards, FDA says

19/12/2023 -

Tests of cinnamon samples collected during a US Food and Drug Administration inspection of a facility linked with contaminated applesauce pouches turned up lead levels that were more than 2,000 times higher than proposed standards, the agency said. More:

Lead Exposure Lead Exposure and Health Effects in Children Lead Regulation

Cinnamon applesauce investigation finds lead levels more than 2,000 times higher than proposed standards, FDA says

Tests of cinnamon samples collected during a US Food and Drug Administration inspection of a facility linked with contaminated applesauce pouches turned up lead levels that were more than 2,000 times higher than proposed standards, the agency said. More:

Lead Exposure Lead Exposure and Health Effects in Children Lead Regulation

Monsanto hit with $857 mln verdict over PCBs in Washington state school

19/12/2023 -

Dec 18 (Reuters) - A Washington state jury on Monday ordered Bayer's Monsanto to pay $857 million to seven former students and parent volunteers of a school northeast of Seattle who claimed that chemicals known as PCBs made by the company leaked from light fixtures and made them sick, according to court documents. More:

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs Exposure Studies PCBs' Toxic Legacy PCBs Policy and Guidance

Monsanto hit with $857 mln verdict over PCBs in Washington state school

Dec 18 (Reuters) - A Washington state jury on Monday ordered Bayer's Monsanto to pay $857 million to seven former students and parent volunteers of a school northeast of Seattle who claimed that chemicals known as PCBs made by the company leaked from light fixtures and made them sick, according to court documents. More:

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs Exposure Studies PCBs' Toxic Legacy PCBs Policy and Guidance

“Forever chemicals” could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms

18/12/2023 -

In a new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health, two "forever chemicals" spurred cancer cells in the lab to migrate to new positions, an indication that the chemicals could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms. More:

PFAS: PFOA and PFOS PFAS: Association With Cancer

“Forever chemicals” could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms

In a new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health, two "forever chemicals" spurred cancer cells in the lab to migrate to new positions, an indication that the chemicals could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms. More:

PFAS: PFOA and PFOS PFAS: Association With Cancer

Heavy metal stars — how artificial mussels are used to monitor water pollution

18/12/2023 -

To monitor platinum concentration in water, scientists are turning to novel technology that mimics the way mussels work. More:

Heavy Metals Platinum Exposure and Health Impact Bioindicators: Natural and Artificial Mussels Platinum Mining, Hydrogen Fuel and Water Challenges

Heavy metal stars — how artificial mussels are used to monitor water pollution

To monitor platinum concentration in water, scientists are turning to novel technology that mimics the way mussels work. More:

Heavy Metals Platinum Exposure and Health Impact Bioindicators: Natural and Artificial Mussels Platinum Mining, Hydrogen Fuel and Water Challenges

Poisonous harvest : Pesticide overuse threatens bird species

18/12/2023 -

LAHORE: In a country undergoing serious food insecurity, farmers seeking to maximize local crop yield resort to a variety of methods to curb the perilous effects of weeds and insects however, the widely used agricultural practice comes at the cost of biodiversity in the fields, as hundreds of bird species in Punjab face annihilation. More:

Pesticides Overview Pesticides Impact on Birds The DDT Case The Endosulfan Phase-Out

Poisonous harvest : Pesticide overuse threatens bird species

LAHORE: In a country undergoing serious food insecurity, farmers seeking to maximize local crop yield resort to a variety of methods to curb the perilous effects of weeds and insects however, the widely used agricultural practice comes at the cost of biodiversity in the fields, as hundreds of bird species in Punjab face annihilation. More:

Pesticides Overview Pesticides Impact on Birds The DDT Case The Endosulfan Phase-Out

Study reveals potential health risks of chemicals in menstrual products

15/12/2023 -

The average menstruator will use over 11,000 tampons or sanitary pads in their lifetime. Vaginal and vulvar tissue that touch pads and tampons is highly permeable. Through this permeable tissue chemicals are absorbed without being metabolized, which makes endocrine-disrupting chemicals potentially dangerous when found in menstrual products. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with human hormones and cause medical issues, including gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. More:


Study reveals potential health risks of chemicals in menstrual products

The average menstruator will use over 11,000 tampons or sanitary pads in their lifetime. Vaginal and vulvar tissue that touch pads and tampons is highly permeable. Through this permeable tissue chemicals are absorbed without being metabolized, which makes endocrine-disrupting chemicals potentially dangerous when found in menstrual products. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with human hormones and cause medical issues, including gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. More:

How to take ‘forever’ out of forever chemicals

14/12/2023 -

But it didn’t play out that way. In just a few minutes, the chemicals were no more. “When plasma degraded PFAS so rapidly, within minutes, he told me: ‘That’s not right. Nothing can degrade PFAS,’” Thagard says. She ran the test seven or eight more times, and each time the chemicals disappeared. More:

PFAS Degradation and Destruction Technologies PFAS Removal and Remediation Technologies

How to take ‘forever’ out of forever chemicals

But it didn’t play out that way. In just a few minutes, the chemicals were no more. “When plasma degraded PFAS so rapidly, within minutes, he told me: ‘That’s not right. Nothing can degrade PFAS,’” Thagard says. She ran the test seven or eight more times, and each time the chemicals disappeared. More:

PFAS Degradation and Destruction Technologies PFAS Removal and Remediation Technologies

Why there still aren’t limits on lead in baby food

14/12/2023 -

Despite strong efforts to limit lead exposure from sources like paint and gasoline, the U.S. government doesn’t broadly limit lead levels in food, a blind spot that’s become all the more glaring, experts say, as cases of lead poisonings in young children linked to contaminated cinnamon applesauce continue to mount. More:

Heavy Metals in Baby Food Lead in Applesauce Pouches Lead Poisoning Linked to Applesauce Pouches Lead Poisoning Prevention

Why there still aren’t limits on lead in baby food

Despite strong efforts to limit lead exposure from sources like paint and gasoline, the U.S. government doesn’t broadly limit lead levels in food, a blind spot that’s become all the more glaring, experts say, as cases of lead poisonings in young children linked to contaminated cinnamon applesauce continue to mount. More:

Heavy Metals in Baby Food Lead in Applesauce Pouches Lead Poisoning Linked to Applesauce Pouches Lead Poisoning Prevention

The Pesticide Playbook

13/12/2023 -

For decades, one of the world’s largest pesticide manufacturers deployed the Big Tobacco playbook to keep its flagship product ubiquitous—despite the company’s own internal research showing that it harmed farmers. More:


The Pesticide Playbook

For decades, one of the world’s largest pesticide manufacturers deployed the Big Tobacco playbook to keep its flagship product ubiquitous—despite the company’s own internal research showing that it harmed farmers. More:

Netherlands warns children not to swallow sea foam over PFAS concerns

13/12/2023 -

The Dutch government has warned people to stop children and pets swallowing foam at the seaside, after a study showed “forever chemicals” were concentrated in the spume. More:

PFAS in the Sea PFAS Pollution in Europe The PFAS Crisis

Netherlands warns children not to swallow sea foam over PFAS concerns

The Dutch government has warned people to stop children and pets swallowing foam at the seaside, after a study showed “forever chemicals” were concentrated in the spume. More:

PFAS in the Sea PFAS Pollution in Europe The PFAS Crisis

Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety, estuary study finds

12/12/2023 -

New research led by Southern Cross University has found a cocktail of nasty pesticides in oysters and water from one of the NSW North Coast's dominant rivers. More:

Pesticides Detected in Oysters Oysters as Bioindicators Human Health Risks Pesticide Use

Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety, estuary study finds

New research led by Southern Cross University has found a cocktail of nasty pesticides in oysters and water from one of the NSW North Coast's dominant rivers. More:

Pesticides Detected in Oysters Oysters as Bioindicators Human Health Risks Pesticide Use

All the Carcinogens We Cannot See

11/12/2023 -

In the nineteen-seventies, Bruce Ames, a biochemist at Berkeley, devised a way to test whether a chemical might cause cancer. Cancer resulted from genetic mutations—changes in a cell’s DNA sequence that typically cause the cell to divide uncontrollably. These mutations could be inherited, induced by viruses, or generated by random copying errors in dividing cells. They could also be produced by physical or chemical agents: radiation, ultraviolet light, benzene. One day, Ames had found himself reading the list of ingredients on a package of potato chips, and wondering how safe the chemicals used as preservatives really were. But how to catch a carcinogen?. More:

Air Pollutant: Particulate Matter Environmental Carcinogens and Detection Lung Cancer

All the Carcinogens We Cannot See

In the nineteen-seventies, Bruce Ames, a biochemist at Berkeley, devised a way to test whether a chemical might cause cancer. Cancer resulted from genetic mutations—changes in a cell’s DNA sequence that typically cause the cell to divide uncontrollably. These mutations could be inherited, induced by viruses, or generated by random copying errors in dividing cells. They could also be produced by physical or chemical agents: radiation, ultraviolet light, benzene. One day, Ames had found himself reading the list of ingredients on a package of potato chips, and wondering how safe the chemicals used as preservatives really were. But how to catch a carcinogen?. More:

Air Pollutant: Particulate Matter Environmental Carcinogens and Detection Lung Cancer

PFAS may disrupt bone development in children and young adults, study finds

08/12/2023 -

Exposure to a widespread, toxic chemical called PFOS may interfere with bone development in children and young adults, potentially putting them at higher risk for osteoporosis and other bone problems later in life, according to a new study that focused mainly on Hispanic individuals from southern California. More:

PFAS Impact in Bone Development PFAS Carcinogenicity PFAS Lawsuits and Settlements

PFAS may disrupt bone development in children and young adults, study finds

Exposure to a widespread, toxic chemical called PFOS may interfere with bone development in children and young adults, potentially putting them at higher risk for osteoporosis and other bone problems later in life, according to a new study that focused mainly on Hispanic individuals from southern California. More:

PFAS Impact in Bone Development PFAS Carcinogenicity PFAS Lawsuits and Settlements

‘Never seen a group of substances’ like these: House lawmakers told of the perils of PFAS

07/12/2023 -

As Florida lawmakers continue efforts to keep the state’s environment clean, lawmakers heard of a possible threat that could cause harm to the state’s residents. More:

PFAS Water Contamination PFAS Water Contamination: The Florida Case PFAS Human Health Effects PFAS Human Health Effects: Pregnancy and Children PFAS Regulation, Lawsuit and Settlement

‘Never seen a group of substances’ like these: House lawmakers told of the perils of PFAS

As Florida lawmakers continue efforts to keep the state’s environment clean, lawmakers heard of a possible threat that could cause harm to the state’s residents. More:

PFAS Water Contamination PFAS Water Contamination: The Florida Case PFAS Human Health Effects PFAS Human Health Effects: Pregnancy and Children PFAS Regulation, Lawsuit and Settlement
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