POPs in the news

07/06/2019 -

All sewage sludge recently tested by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The state tested the sludge, solid waste that remains after the treatment of domestic and industrial water, for the presence of three “forever chemicals”: PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS. Of 44 samples taken from Maine farms and other facilities that distribute compost made from the sludge, all contained at least one of the PFAS chemicals. In all but two of the samples, the chemicals exceeded safety thresholds for sludge that Maine set early last year. More

Human Health Effects and Environmental Fate


Toxic PFAS chemicals found in Maine farms fertilized with sewage sludge

All sewage sludge recently tested by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The state tested the sludge, solid waste that remains after the treatment of domestic and industrial water, for the presence of three “forever chemicals”: PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS. Of 44 samples taken from Maine farms and other facilities that distribute compost made from the sludge, all contained at least one of the PFAS chemicals. In all but two of the samples, the chemicals exceeded safety thresholds for sludge that Maine set early last year. More

Human Health Effects and Environmental Fate

04/06/2019 -

The rules of healthy eating used to be simple, at least in theory: Consume fewer processed items, avoid sugar, and keep your meals balanced. But scientists are slowly uncovering a hidden threat that's complicating this narrative. An investigation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found evidence of a class of manmade chemicals that have been linked to cancer in numerous foods sold in mid-Atlantic grocery stores, including samples of meat, seafood, and chocolate cake. More:


The FDA found 'forever chemicals' in meat, seafood, and chocolate cake sold in grocery stores. Here's how worried you should be

The rules of healthy eating used to be simple, at least in theory: Consume fewer processed items, avoid sugar, and keep your meals balanced. But scientists are slowly uncovering a hidden threat that's complicating this narrative. An investigation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found evidence of a class of manmade chemicals that have been linked to cancer in numerous foods sold in mid-Atlantic grocery stores, including samples of meat, seafood, and chocolate cake. More:

03/06/2019 -

Early puberty means a child's body begins to change into that of an adult, showing secondary sex characteristics. It is usually classified as early puberty when a child shows such characteristics before the age of eight or nine ― girls before eight and boys before nine ― which is two years earlier than average. More:


Obesity, chemical exposure speed up early puberty in children

Early puberty means a child's body begins to change into that of an adult, showing secondary sex characteristics. It is usually classified as early puberty when a child shows such characteristics before the age of eight or nine ― girls before eight and boys before nine ― which is two years earlier than average. More:

02/06/2019 -

Now, mounting evidence shows that the emergence of seemingly safer and less persistent “alternatives” to legacy PFASs may pose the same problems as their predecessors. An ineffective and broken regulatory system and weak environmental laws have done little to stymie the ever-revolving chemical treadmill that has contaminated entire communities and put public health at risk.. More:


These Chemicals Are Forever: Water Contamination from PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS

Now, mounting evidence shows that the emergence of seemingly safer and less persistent “alternatives” to legacy PFASs may pose the same problems as their predecessors. An ineffective and broken regulatory system and weak environmental laws have done little to stymie the ever-revolving chemical treadmill that has contaminated entire communities and put public health at risk.. More:

30/05/2019 -

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are everywhere. There are thousands of these synthetic compounds, which get used in all sorts of products because of their flame retardant and oil- and water-repelling properties. PFAS coat nonstick pans, water-resistant fabrics, and glossy paper. They’re also in fire-fighting foams. More:


Eco-friendly packaging could be poisoning our compost

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are everywhere. There are thousands of these synthetic compounds, which get used in all sorts of products because of their flame retardant and oil- and water-repelling properties. PFAS coat nonstick pans, water-resistant fabrics, and glossy paper. They’re also in fire-fighting foams. More:

30/05/2019 -

The movement to buy sustainably grown flowers is rising as many growers and florists in Australia voice their concerns about the effect chemicals have on the environment and workers' health. More:


Growers and florists urge consumers to be aware of chemical use in cut-flower industry

The movement to buy sustainably grown flowers is rising as many growers and florists in Australia voice their concerns about the effect chemicals have on the environment and workers' health. More:

29/05/2019 -

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines pesticides as any chemical substance used to regulate, prevent or destroy plants or pests – usually insects, rodents or microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria – or that acts as a nitrogen stabilizer in soil. More:


Pesticides explained: the toxic chemicals in up to 70% of produce

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines pesticides as any chemical substance used to regulate, prevent or destroy plants or pests – usually insects, rodents or microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria – or that acts as a nitrogen stabilizer in soil. More:

28/05/2019 -

The internet cheered in December when Trader Joe’s announced it would take meaningful steps towards making its packaging more sustainable. The supermarket chain outlined a plan that included reducing and eliminating excess waste, using materials that could realistically be recycled and avoiding harmful substances. It’s the last part that medical and environmental activists are keeping an eye on. More:


Food packaging is full of toxic chemicals – here's how it could affect your health

The internet cheered in December when Trader Joe’s announced it would take meaningful steps towards making its packaging more sustainable. The supermarket chain outlined a plan that included reducing and eliminating excess waste, using materials that could realistically be recycled and avoiding harmful substances. It’s the last part that medical and environmental activists are keeping an eye on. More:

24/05/2019 -

Surprising new research into dog sperm has reproductive biologists concerned about the fate of their own species. In a study, scientists found that two chemicals common in home environments damage the quality of sperm in both men and dogs. The culprits implicated are diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), used to make new plastics more pliable, and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153), found in older plastics and electrical equipment. More:


Sperm counts are on the decline – could plastics be to blame?

Surprising new research into dog sperm has reproductive biologists concerned about the fate of their own species. In a study, scientists found that two chemicals common in home environments damage the quality of sperm in both men and dogs. The culprits implicated are diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), used to make new plastics more pliable, and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153), found in older plastics and electrical equipment. More:

23/05/2019 -

PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of at least 4,700 synthetic chemicals that have been in commercial production since the 1940s to make surfaces resist stains, water and grease. More:

Human Exposure

PFAS regulation


Why you need to know about PFAS, the chemicals in pizza boxes and rainwear

23/05/2019 -

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has received results from only about 40% of the treatment plants or sludge composting facilities subjects to the new testing requirements for three types of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. While the early returns are not necessarily surprising, they illustrate the pervasiveness of these "forever chemicals" commonly known as PFAS, as well as the challenge ahead for the state and municipal treatment facilities that provide the sludge to farmers for use as fertilizer. More:


Initial test results reveal ‘forever chemicals’ showing up in fertilizer sludge

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has received results from only about 40% of the treatment plants or sludge composting facilities subjects to the new testing requirements for three types of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. While the early returns are not necessarily surprising, they illustrate the pervasiveness of these "forever chemicals" commonly known as PFAS, as well as the challenge ahead for the state and municipal treatment facilities that provide the sludge to farmers for use as fertilizer. More:

22/05/2019 -

Earlier that day, after arriving at a Mount Sinai facility in New York City, I dropped off a urine sample that will be studied for 81 chemicals in lab tests far more advanced than at a regular doctor visit. We are exposed to synthetic chemicals in plastics, cosmetics and food every day. Could it be making us toxic? An environment reporter was tested for over 1,530 chemicals to find out. More


Is modern life poisoning me? I took the tests to find out

Earlier that day, after arriving at a Mount Sinai facility in New York City, I dropped off a urine sample that will be studied for 81 chemicals in lab tests far more advanced than at a regular doctor visit. We are exposed to synthetic chemicals in plastics, cosmetics and food every day. Could it be making us toxic? An environment reporter was tested for over 1,530 chemicals to find out. More

22/05/2019 -

Synthetic chemicals are in nearly everything we touch and consume. But some chemicals can be potentially harmful and a number of experts are anxious about possible long-term health effects of our everyday exposure. They say US regulations could be stronger. More

Pesticides

Flame Retardants

PFAS chemicals, human exposure and health effects


Explained: the toxic threat in everyday products, from toys to plastic

Synthetic chemicals are in nearly everything we touch and consume. But some chemicals can be potentially harmful and a number of experts are anxious about possible long-term health effects of our everyday exposure. They say US regulations could be stronger. More

Pesticides

Flame Retardants

PFAS chemicals, human exposure and health effects

22/05/2019 -

A class of synthetic chemicals that contain fluorine atoms is grabbing headlines as emerging contaminants. More and more communities around the world are finding their drinking water supplies tainted with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). More:


A guide to the PFAS found in our environment

A class of synthetic chemicals that contain fluorine atoms is grabbing headlines as emerging contaminants. More and more communities around the world are finding their drinking water supplies tainted with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). More:

13/05/2019 -
Americans spend roughly 90 percent of their time indoors, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes. During that time, people cook. They clean. They chat, read, play, watch TV and do other things. People also bathe and sleep. And throughout it all, they breathe. New studies find that our activities can pollute the air we breathe indoors. And some of those compounds may harm our health. More:

Studies show how homes can pollute indoor air

Americans spend roughly 90 percent of their time indoors, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes. During that time, people cook. They clean. They chat, read, play, watch TV and do other things. People also bathe and sleep. And throughout it all, they breathe. New studies find that our activities can pollute the air we breathe indoors. And some of those compounds may harm our health. More:
13/05/2019 -

From 1962 to 1971, the American military sprayed vast areas of Vietnam with Agent Orange, leaving dioxin contamination that has severely affected the health of three generations of Vietnamese. Now, the U.S. and Vietnamese governments have joined together in a massive cleanup project. More:


Fifty Years After, A Daunting Cleanup of Vietnam’s Toxic Legacy

From 1962 to 1971, the American military sprayed vast areas of Vietnam with Agent Orange, leaving dioxin contamination that has severely affected the health of three generations of Vietnamese. Now, the U.S. and Vietnamese governments have joined together in a massive cleanup project. More:

03/05/2019 -

International chemical regulators unanimously approved a global ban on the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a toxic chemical used to manufacture nonstick and stain-resistant coatings in clothing, fast-food wrappers, carpets, and other consumer and industrial products. More:


UN Chemical Regulators Approve PFOA Ban, With Exemptions

International chemical regulators unanimously approved a global ban on the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a toxic chemical used to manufacture nonstick and stain-resistant coatings in clothing, fast-food wrappers, carpets, and other consumer and industrial products. More:

30/04/2019 -

Decades after Dupont and 3M first discovered that the perfluorinated chemicals making them fortunes could be transmitted from mothers to babies, millions of women around the world are passing dangerous amounts of these toxic compounds to their children, according to a report. More:

PFAS Pollution

Exposure to PFAS

PFAS in Human Milk


High Levels of Toxic PFAS Chemicals Pollute Breast Milk

Decades after Dupont and 3M first discovered that the perfluorinated chemicals making them fortunes could be transmitted from mothers to babies, millions of women around the world are passing dangerous amounts of these toxic compounds to their children, according to a report. More:

PFAS Pollution

Exposure to PFAS

PFAS in Human Milk

29/04/2019 -
Today, many of these time-worn cures remain popular around the globe, but in some countries, traditional healers have extended their arsenal to include not only nature’s gifts, but the products of human industry, amongst them an oily liquid, clear to yellow in colour with neither smell nor taste, that often spills or leaks from electrical equipment. More:

The dangers of modern magic

Today, many of these time-worn cures remain popular around the globe, but in some countries, traditional healers have extended their arsenal to include not only nature’s gifts, but the products of human industry, amongst them an oily liquid, clear to yellow in colour with neither smell nor taste, that often spills or leaks from electrical equipment. More:
22/04/2019 -

Scientists are ramping up research on the possible health effects of a large group of common but little-understood chemicals used in water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant furniture, nonstick cookware and many other consumer products. More:


Scientists Dig Into Hard Questions About The Fluorinated Pollutants Known As PFAS

Scientists are ramping up research on the possible health effects of a large group of common but little-understood chemicals used in water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant furniture, nonstick cookware and many other consumer products. More:

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