POPs in the news

07/07/2023 -

At least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of the chemicals known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey. More:

PFAS Drinking Water Contamination PFAS Exposure: Human Health and Environmental Risks

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ taint nearly half of U.S. tap water, study estimates

At least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of the chemicals known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey. More:

PFAS Drinking Water Contamination PFAS Exposure: Human Health and Environmental Risks
06/07/2023 -

Canada recently took its first bold step to regulate the production and use of a large group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a family of environmentally persistent and toxic chemical compounds. More:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) PFAS Characteristics PFAS Uses Human Exposure and Health Effects

Canada Will Start Regulating ‘Forever Chemicals.’ What to Know

Canada recently took its first bold step to regulate the production and use of a large group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a family of environmentally persistent and toxic chemical compounds. More:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) PFAS Characteristics PFAS Uses Human Exposure and Health Effects
05/07/2023 -

In Pierre-Bénite, just south of Lyon, a plant belonging to French chemical giant Arkema has become the focus of accusations. For decades, tonnes of PFAs, or so-called forever chemicals, have been released into the environment. More:


Forever chemicals: French company poisoned environment near Lyon for decades, locals claim

In Pierre-Bénite, just south of Lyon, a plant belonging to French chemical giant Arkema has become the focus of accusations. For decades, tonnes of PFAs, or so-called forever chemicals, have been released into the environment. More:

04/07/2023 -

Pets living near a PFAS manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina have concerning levels of the toxic chemicals in their blood, and show evidence of health effects linked to exposure, new research finds. More:


High levels of toxic chemicals in pets living near US manufacturing plant

Pets living near a PFAS manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina have concerning levels of the toxic chemicals in their blood, and show evidence of health effects linked to exposure, new research finds. More:

30/06/2023 -

Declining biodiversity threatens the very basis of human life. Science contends that there are many reasons for this decline. However, while much research is being conducted into the connection between species decline on the one hand and loss of habitats, invasion by non-native species or climate change on the other, science is giving less attention to the impact of chemicals on biodiversity.  More:


How use of chemicals and biodiversity loss are connected

Declining biodiversity threatens the very basis of human life. Science contends that there are many reasons for this decline. However, while much research is being conducted into the connection between species decline on the one hand and loss of habitats, invasion by non-native species or climate change on the other, science is giving less attention to the impact of chemicals on biodiversity. More:

29/06/2023 -

Firefighters’ turnout gear — the heavy clothing they don before fighting a fire — is essential protective equipment. But the textiles that make the clothing fireproof carry hazards of their own. A May report published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology concludes that “forever chemicals” known as PFAS — some linked to cancer — are present in textiles commonly used in the gear. More:

PFAS in Firefighter Gear PFAS in Artificial Turf PFAS Exposure and Health Risks

Firefighter gear is full of cancer-causing PFAS. What can be done about it?

Firefighters’ turnout gear — the heavy clothing they don before fighting a fire — is essential protective equipment. But the textiles that make the clothing fireproof carry hazards of their own. A May report published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology concludes that “forever chemicals” known as PFAS — some linked to cancer — are present in textiles commonly used in the gear. More:

PFAS in Firefighter Gear PFAS in Artificial Turf PFAS Exposure and Health Risks
23/06/2023 -

CNN — Every year, the textile industry uses 1.3 trillion gallons of water to dye garments – enough to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. Most of this water, loaded with harmful chemicals and dyes, flows untreated into rivers and streams More:


One-fifth of water pollution comes from textile dyes. But a shellfish-inspired solution could clean it up

CNN — Every year, the textile industry uses 1.3 trillion gallons of water to dye garments – enough to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. Most of this water, loaded with harmful chemicals and dyes, flows untreated into rivers and streams More:

23/06/2023 -

Known colloquially as “forever chemicals,” PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a large group of chemicals that make certain products nonstick or stain resistant. Research indicates that these chemicals can be dangerous. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancers, weakened immune systems among children, weight gain, and a wide range of other health problems. More:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) PFAS Contamination in the U.S PFAS in Drinking Water PFAS in Consumer Products Human Health Effects Human Health Effects: The Immune System Corporate Statements on PFAS PFAS Decontamination and Destruction Technologies

You probably have “forever chemicals” in your body. Here’s what that means.

Known colloquially as “forever chemicals,” PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a large group of chemicals that make certain products nonstick or stain resistant. Research indicates that these chemicals can be dangerous. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancers, weakened immune systems among children, weight gain, and a wide range of other health problems. More:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) PFAS Contamination in the U.S PFAS in Drinking Water PFAS in Consumer Products Human Health Effects Human Health Effects: The Immune System Corporate Statements on PFAS PFAS Decontamination and Destruction Technologies
21/06/2023 -

Have you heard about the illness Polymer Fume Fever, also called Teflon flu? It is a condition of chest tightness, coughs and headaches caused by the fumes formed when PTFE (Teflon) is heated above 450°C. The illness was described already back in 1965 in a scientific article. More:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Polymer Fume Fever PFAS Potential Impacts PFAS Risk Evaluation The PFAS and Microplastics Connection PFAS Regulation

Slam debunkin’ three myths about fluoropolymers

Have you heard about the illness Polymer Fume Fever, also called Teflon flu? It is a condition of chest tightness, coughs and headaches caused by the fumes formed when PTFE (Teflon) is heated above 450°C. The illness was described already back in 1965 in a scientific article. More:

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Polymer Fume Fever PFAS Potential Impacts PFAS Risk Evaluation The PFAS and Microplastics Connection PFAS Regulation
21/06/2023 -

In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University detected elevated PFAS levels in the blood of pet dogs and horses from Gray's Creek, N.C.—including dogs that only drank bottled water. The work establishes horses as an important sentinel species and is a step toward investigating connections between PFAS exposure and liver and kidney function in dogs and horses. More:


PFAS found in blood of dogs, horses living near Fayetteville, NC

In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University detected elevated PFAS levels in the blood of pet dogs and horses from Gray's Creek, N.C.—including dogs that only drank bottled water. The work establishes horses as an important sentinel species and is a step toward investigating connections between PFAS exposure and liver and kidney function in dogs and horses. More:

21/06/2023 -

When grown as a monoculture crop, coffee plants face a barrage of attacks by insects, bacteria and fungi. Climate change may also exacerbate these attacks. On larger coffee plantations in particular, this has led to the increased use of pesticides, the primary weapons that farmers use to combat unwanted guests. More:

Pesticides Ecotoxicity Pesticides Biological Control Pesticides Genomic Technology Human Health Effects

How pesticides threaten our daily cup of coffee

When grown as a monoculture crop, coffee plants face a barrage of attacks by insects, bacteria and fungi. Climate change may also exacerbate these attacks. On larger coffee plantations in particular, this has led to the increased use of pesticides, the primary weapons that farmers use to combat unwanted guests. More:

Pesticides Ecotoxicity Pesticides Biological Control Pesticides Genomic Technology Human Health Effects
20/06/2023 -

The so-called risk-based approach to harmful chemicals is a fundamental idea upon which the chemical industry rests. Advocates of this approach argue that as long as you limit exposure to a hazardous chemical, it doesn’t pose a problem. Most chemical legislations worldwide follow this principle; that’s why there are hundreds of thousands of chemicals with unknown effects in circulation and thousands that we know are detrimental to human health and the environment. More:


3M argues against the risk-based approach in court

The so-called risk-based approach to harmful chemicals is a fundamental idea upon which the chemical industry rests. Advocates of this approach argue that as long as you limit exposure to a hazardous chemical, it doesn’t pose a problem. Most chemical legislations worldwide follow this principle; that’s why there are hundreds of thousands of chemicals with unknown effects in circulation and thousands that we know are detrimental to human health and the environment. More:

20/06/2023 -

Bisphenyl A (BPA) is used to make plastics and can come into our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, or touch. Though research shows BPA is mostly broken down and disposed of by our bodies in a matter of hours, it can potentially be harmful, especially over years of exposure. More:

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Bisphenol A - Health Effects

What BPA can do to our bodies—and how to limit your exposure

Bisphenyl A (BPA) is used to make plastics and can come into our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, or touch. Though research shows BPA is mostly broken down and disposed of by our bodies in a matter of hours, it can potentially be harmful, especially over years of exposure. More:

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Bisphenol A: Health Effects
15/06/2023 -

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water are more dangerous than previously thought — and pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected. More:


EPA says ‘forever chemicals’ pose a health risk even at very low levels

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water are more dangerous than previously thought — and pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected. More:

14/06/2023 -

A recent British Medical Journal Open study revealed that 39 years after the Bhopal gas explosion, the devastating industrial disaster is still haunting future generations. Males who were exposed to the gas leak while they were still in the womb were more likely to have a disability that affected their employment and also, at a 27-fold higher risk of cancer. More:

Human Health Effects

Almost 40 Years Later, The Bhopal Gas Explosion Is Causing 27-Fold Greater Cancer Risk

A recent British Medical Journal Open study revealed that 39 years after the Bhopal gas explosion, the devastating industrial disaster is still haunting future generations. Males who were exposed to the gas leak while they were still in the womb were more likely to have a disability that affected their employment and also, at a 27-fold higher risk of cancer. More:

Human Health Effects
14/06/2023 -

Partnering with EHN.org, the environmental wellness blog and community had 40 electrolyte products (from 30 brands) tested by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab and found levels of total fluorine ranging from 10 parts per million, or ppm, to 105 ppm in nine of them. More:

PFAS in Consumer Products PFAS in Consumer Products: Contact Lenses and Personal Care PFAS in Food Fluorine Toxicity

Are you replenishing your electrolytes with a dose of PFAS?

Partnering with EHN.org, the environmental wellness blog and community had 40 electrolyte products (from 30 brands) tested by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab and found levels of total fluorine ranging from 10 parts per million, or ppm, to 105 ppm in nine of them. More:

PFAS in Consumer Products PFAS in Consumer Products: Contact Lenses and Personal Care PFAS in Food Fluorine Toxicity
14/06/2023 -

Plants may seem defenseless against insects, having neither hands nor tail to brush them away. But many produce potent repellent chemicals, ranging from ones that just taste or smell bad to ones that can kill. These stealthy survival tactics could teach us how to curb the widespread use of chemical pesticides in agriculture. More:

Plants Self-defense against pests Biological Control Genetic Modification for Pest Control

Natural pest control: Plants enlist their enemies’ enemies

Plants may seem defenseless against insects, having neither hands nor tail to brush them away. But many produce potent repellent chemicals, ranging from ones that just taste or smell bad to ones that can kill. These stealthy survival tactics could teach us how to curb the widespread use of chemical pesticides in agriculture. More:

Plants Self-defense against pests Biological Control Genetic Modification for Pest Control
13/06/2023 -

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the new legislation that was spurred by a 2019 incident in which a helicopter and a plane sprayed dozens of farmworkers with pesticides, causing health problems for the workers and their infant children. Previously, under the old fine system, applicators who exposed humans to pesticides could escape with little-to-no monetary penalties. More:


Illinois enacts law increasing penalties for exposing humans to pesticides

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the new legislation that was spurred by a 2019 incident in which a helicopter and a plane sprayed dozens of farmworkers with pesticides, causing health problems for the workers and their infant children. Previously, under the old fine system, applicators who exposed humans to pesticides could escape with little-to-no monetary penalties. More:

09/06/2023 -

It’s hard to avoid PFAS, but experts say there are ways to mitigate your exposure to the man-made chemicals. Across the country, states are banning forever chemicals from consumer products, and some companies are promising to phase out use of the compounds. More:

PFAS in Food and Food Packaging

How can I avoid eating food with ‘forever’ chemicals?

It’s hard to avoid PFAS, but experts say there are ways to mitigate your exposure to the man-made chemicals. Across the country, states are banning forever chemicals from consumer products, and some companies are promising to phase out use of the compounds. More:

PFAS in Food and Food Packaging

‘Forever chemicals’ exposure can lead to low birth weight and obesity in later life

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