Do your “band-aids” or bandages have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the absorbent pad or adhesive flaps? This is exactly what the Mamavation community asked us and we had no idea, so we started testing different bandage products to find out. Mamavation sent several types of bandages off to an EPA-certified lab to ascertain whether consumers were being exposed to PFAS when they were bandaging up open wounds. More:

• “Band-Aids” & Bandages with Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Report  –  Mamavation

• PFAS & Their Uses  –  3M
• PFAS in Building Materials  –  Green Science Policy Institute

Growers’ use of the neurotoxic weed killer paraquat is concentrated in just five agricultural counties, leaving low-income Latinos disproportionately exposed to a chemical linked to Parkinson’s disease, a new analysis shows. More:

• California’s Latino Communities Most at Risk From Exposure to Brain-Damaging Weed Killer  –  Inside Climate News

• Paraquat disproportionately threatens California’s low-income Latino communities  –  EWG
• Agricultural paraquat dichloride use and Parkinson’s disease in California’s Central Valley  –  Oxford Academic

• Cancer incidence among paraquat-exposed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study (Research abstract)

• Paraquat (herbicide) as a cause of Parkinson's Disease (Research abstract)
• Rotenone, Paraquat, and Parkinson’s Disease (Research article)
• Paraquat elicited neurobehavioral syndrome caused by dopaminergic neuron loss (Research article)
• Parkinson’s Disease Is Predominantly an Environmental Disease (Research article)

• Prenatal pesticide exposure and childhood leukemia – A California statewide case-control study (Research abstract)
• Of Pesticides and Men: A California Story of Genes and Environment in Parkinson’s Disease (Research article)

• It’s time to ban paraquat  –  EWG
• Petition for Review and Set Aside Order Titled Paraquat Dichloride, Interim Registration Review Decision  –  U.S. Court of Appeals

• Secret files suggest chemical giant feared weedkiller’s link to Parkinson’s disease  –  The Guardian

The grass may be greener if it's made of synthetic turf, but some communities are raising concerns about "forever chemicals" that may be found in many of the faux fields. More:

• Debate about safety of synthetic turf and 'forever chemicals' raises concerns for some  –  ABC News

• Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS  –  US EPA
• PFAS Information for Clinicians – 2024  –  US ATSDR

Two chemicals found in common household products like disinfectants and furniture may play a role in the development of neurological disorders like autism and multiple sclerosis, according to a new study, adding to previous research that found the chemicals may be detrimental to human health. More:

• Chemicals Found In Popular Household Products Potentially Linked To Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, Study Suggests  –  Forbes

• Flame Retardants in Furniture  –  Green Science Policy Institute
• Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants: Are They a Regrettable Substitution for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers? (Research article)
• Exposure to Organophosphate Ester (OPE) Flame Retardants & Plasticizers  –  Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource
• Gestational Exposure to Flame Retardant Alters Brain Development in Rats  –  NC State University

• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Cleaning Products - Health & Safety Information for Cleaners and Supervisors  –  Mount Sinai
• Ambient and Dosed Exposure to Quaternary AmmoniumDisinfectants Causes Neural Tube Defects in Rodents (Research article)
• Disinfectant Exposure Decreases Reproductive Hormones  –  Osteopathic.org

Millions of tonnes of asbestos are being removed from buildings around the world – can this dangerous mineral be disposed of permanently? Or even be put to good use?. More:

• Asbestos is a global waste problem - here's how we might get rid of it  –  BBC

• An asbestos contaminated town in the vicinity of an asbestos-cement facility: The case study of Sibaté, Colombia (Research abstract)
• Asbestos cement products and their impact on soil contamination in relation to various sources of anthropogenic and natural asbestos pollution (Research article)
• Asbestos in drinking water: What does it mean for human health?  –  BBC
• Chrysotile asbestos migration in air from contaminated water: An experimental simulation (Research article)

• Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos  –  US EPA
• Asbestos in the Home  –  Mesothelioma.com

• How Does Asbestos Induce Pathogenic Changes?  –  US ATSDR
• What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?  –  US National Cancer Institute
• Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in Indonesia (Research article)

• Global Asbestos Disaster (Research article)
• Malignant mesothelioma in females: the institutional failure by WHO and IARC to protect public health (Research article)
• Malignant pleural mesothelioma: an epidemiological perspective (Research article)

• Disposal of asbestos waste  –  UK Health and Safety Executive
• Sustainable management of hazardous asbestos-containing materials: Containment, stabilization and inertization (Research article)
• Production of vitrified material from hazardous asbestos-cement waste and CRT glass cullet (Research article)
• Challenging Global Waste Management – Bioremediation to Detoxify Asbestos (Research article)

• The U.S. announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?  –  National Geographic
• Biden-Harris Administration finalizes ban on ongoing uses of asbestos to protect people from cancer  –  US EPA
• EPA bans asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still in use decades after a partial ban was enacted  –  AP EPA

A recent study conducted by the Environmental Working Group found that a number of beauty and skin care products contain Teflon, the brand name for a chemical called polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, and/or other fluorinated chemicals known as per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs). More:

• Here's How To Find Out If There's Teflon In Your Beauty Products  –  HuffPost
• Is Teflon in Your Cosmetics?  –  EWG
• EWG's guide to avoiding PFAS chemicals (factsheet) (download PDF)  –  EWG

The Lou Guillette Jr. Outstanding Young Investigator Award is an annual award given to an early career scientist who studies endocrine-disrupting chemicals — compounds like BPA and phthalates that alter the proper functioning of our hormones. EHN senior news editor Brian Bienkowski sat down with Dr. Anne Starling, winner of the 2023 Lou Guillette award, to discuss her work on PFAS and other toxics, how this has shaped her consumer habits, and where she finds hope. More:

• Q&A: Award-winning scientist Anne Starling on the latest PFAS research— and where she finds hope  –  EHN

The initiative, known as the Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme (FARM), seeks to address the rampant use of highly hazardous pesticides and agricultural plastics that contribute to pollution and pose significant health risks globally. More:

• Global initiative launches to tackle toxic agricultural pollution  –  AWE International
• New initiative aims to curb the toxic impacts of agriculture  –  UNEP

Our world is awash in chemicals. While many have improved our lives, a lax regulatory system, coupled with chemical industry greed and malfeasance, means that many other chemicals are harming our health and the environment. More:

• The Toxic Chemicals Hiding in Our Homes, and How We Can Reduce Them  –  Earthjustice

• Now Available: Latest Update to the TSCA Inventory  –  US EPA
• How to Access the TSCA Inventory  –  US EPA

• Breaking Down Toxic PFAS  –  Earthjustice
• Navigation Panel to PFAS Structure Lists  –  US EPA

Approximately 95% of nonorganic strawberries, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, collard and mustard greens, grapes, peaches and pears tested by the United States government contained detectable levels of pesticides, according to the 2024 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. More:

• Blueberries, strawberries again on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list  –  CNN

• EWG's 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce - Clean Fifteen  –  EWG
• WG's 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce - Dirty Dozen  –  EWG

• Pesticide Data Program  –  U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Current status of pesticide effects on environment, human health and it’s eco-friendly management as bioremediation: A comprehensive review (Research article)

• Human Health Issues Related to Pesticides  –  US EPA
• Association between intake of fruits and vegetables by pesticide residue status and coronary heart disease risk (Research article)
• Adult Organophosphate and Carbamate Insecticide Exposure and Sperm Concentration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Epidemiological Evidence (Research article)
• Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy and the risk of neural tube defects: A systematic review (Research abstract)
• Prenatal and childhood exposure to organophosphate pesticides and functional brain imaging in young adults (Research article)

• Farmworkers-at-Risk-The Growing Dangers of Pesticides and Heat  –  Union of Concerned Scientists
• Farmers exposed to pesticides have almost five times more DNA damage: a meta-analysis study (Research abstract)

• EPA Releases Risk Assessment Showing Significant Risks to Human Health from the Herbicide DCPA  –  US EPA

• Uncertainty surrounding the mechanism and safety of the post-harvest fungicide fludioxonil (Research abstract)

• Pyrimethanil - Human Health Risk Assessment  –  US EPA
• Pyrimethanil; Pesticide Tolerances  –  US Federal Register
• Chronic exposures to fungicide pyrimethanil: multi-organ effects on Italian tree frog (Hyla intermedia) (Research article)

Due to their water- and fat-repellent properties, PFAS can be found in many products. Yet these forever chemicals can be highly toxic. In the US, they've been phased out of all fast-food wrappers and packaging. More:

• How harmful are forever chemicals? (video)  –  DW

Most of the nation’s plastic sandwich baggies contain toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, an analysis suggests, raising questions about the products’ safety in the US. Testing of 11 types of baggies made by major producers showed high levels of a marker of PFAS in nine. More:

• Most US sandwich baggies contain toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, analysis says  –  The Guardian

• Plastic Sandwich Bags Like Ziploc Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”  –  Mamavation
• Beyond paper, part 2: PFAS intentionally used to make plastic food packaging  –  EDF Health
• Plastic containers still distributed across the US are a potential health disaster  –  The Guardian

• Directly Fluorinated Containers as a Source of Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids (Research abstract)
• New US lawsuit targets ‘forever chemicals’ in plastic food containers  –  The Guardian

• Authorized Uses of PFAS in Food Contact Applications  –  US FDA

• New study reveals diet link to PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in human body  –  The Guardian
• Toxic PFAS chemicals used in packaging can end up in food, study finds  –  The Guardian
• FDA finds surprisingly high levels of PFAS in certain foods – including chocolate cake  –  EDF Health

• Inside FDA’s ‘forever chemicals’ catastrophe  –  E&E News
• Chemical giants hid dangers of ‘forever chemicals’ in food packaging  –  The Guardian

LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - At least 3,000 more chemicals are in plastics — from food packaging to toys to medical devices — than previously estimated by environmental agencies, a report found, raising questions over pollution and consumer safety. More:

• Chemicals in plastics far more numerous than previous estimates, report says  –  Reuters
• State of the science of hazardous chemicals in plastic  –  PlastChem

The food and aquaculture sectors generate a huge amount of fish scale waste from processes such as preparation, canning, filleting, salting, and smoking. Disposal of fish scale waste in landfills may cause serious environmental pollution problems. Therefore, converting fish scale waste into functional materials could help to reduce environmental impact and generate economic benefits. More:

• Fish scale waste could remove dye pollution from water  –  Futurity
• Upcycling fish scales for water pollution control and encryption  –  NUS News
• Upcycling fish scales through heating for steganography and Rhodamine B adsorption application (Research article)

Two years ago, he was blindsided when the state of Michigan ordered him to shut down his farm, citing high levels of PFAS — or what are often referred to as toxic “forever chemicals” — in both his beef and soil. Grostic had been using biosolids, a treated byproduct from wastewater plants, to fertilize his crops, which he then fed his cattle. But what he thought was a cost-effective fertilizer, turned out to be laden with PFAS. More:

• This farmer's livelihood was ruined by PFAS-contaminated fertilizer that few Midwest states test for  –  Nebraska Public Media

• Michigan Biosolids PFAS-related information and links  –  Michigan.gov
• Our sewage often becomes fertilizer. Problem is, it's tainted with PFAS  –  Maine Public
• Michigan farmer sues auto supplier after PFAS taints cattle herd  –  MLive

• PFOA, PFOS, and Related PFAS Chemicals  –  American Cancer Society
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Toxicity and Human Health Review: Current State of Knowledge and Strategies for Informing Future Research (Research article)

• PFAS Strategic Roadmap- EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021—2024 (download PDF)  –  US EPA
• IPP PFAS Initiative  –  Michigan.gov
• PFAS use prohibitions  –  Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Firefighters are regarded as heroes because they often put themselves in harm’s way when responding to emergency calls. They are able to carry out heroic deeds, in large part, because of the safety shield provided by their protective equipment or “turnout” gear. However, a growing body of research suggests that the gear that protects firefighters could also be risking their health. More:

• A recent study shows increased PFAS risks to firefighters as their protective gear ages  –  NC News

• Wear and Tear May Cause Firefighter Gear to Release More ‘Forever Chemicals’  –  US NIST
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Firefighter Turnout Gear Textiles Exposed to Abrasion, Elevated Temperature, Laundering, or Weathering (download PDF)  –  US NIST
• A recent study shows increased PFAS risks to firefighters as their protective gear ages  –  NC Health News
• Another Pathway for Firefighter Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Firefighter Textiles (Research abstract)

• A turning point for firefighters: Navigating the transition to PFAS-free personal protective equipment  –  NC Health News
• Firefighters and supporters are pushing hard for PFAS-free turnout gear  –  NC Health News
• Toward the future of firefighter gear: Assessing fluorinated and non-fluorinated outer shells following simulated on-the-job exposures (Research article)

The report says benzene “can form at unacceptably high levels” in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products, and results from Valisure’s tests showing that some products could form more than 800 times the “conditionally restricted” US Food and Drug Administration concentration limit for benzene. More:

• Cancer-causing chemical can form at ‘unacceptably high levels’ in certain acne products, independent lab claims  –  CNN

• Benzene (Factsheet) (download PDF)  –  US EPA
• Facts About Benzene  –  US CDC
• Benzene and Cancer Risk  –  American Cancer Society

• FDA alerts drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination in certain drugs  –  US FDA
• Valisure discovers benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products are unstable and form benzene  –  Valisure
• Valisure Citizen Petition on Benzene in Benzoyl Peroxide Drug Products (download PDF)  –  Valisure

• Independent lab finds ‘troubling’ levels of cancer-causing chemical in more types of dry shampoo products, report alleges  –  CNN
• Valisure detects high levels of known human carcinogen benzene in several sunscreen products and requests FDA actions.  –  Valisure

Walking down any aisle in a supermarket, “BPA-free” labels declare food, water bottles, sippy cups, and other products to be clear of bisphenol A (BPA)—a chemical used in plastic and as a liner in food cans. Serious health concerns linked to BPA prompted manufacturers to synthesize dozens of chemical substitutes that are now incorporated into thousands of products. But are they safe? More:

• We got rid of BPA in some products—but are the substitutes any safer?  –  National Geographic

• Bisphenol A (BPA) - Description, Biological Effects, & Environmental Effects  –  Britannica
• Biological Activity of Bisphenol A (BPA) Structural Analogues and Functional Alternatives (Report) (download PDF)  –  US NTP
• The Politics of Plastics: The Making and Unmaking of Bisphenol A “Safety” (Research article)

• Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application  –  US FDA
• BPA and BPS in thermal paper  –  Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Bisphenol a bpa thermal paper rolls now banned  –  BPC UK

• Update on the Health Effects of Bisphenol A: Overwhelming Evidence of Harm (Research article)
• Chapter Five - Low-Dose Effects of Hormones and Endocrine Disruptors (Research abstract)
• Plastics derived endocrine-disrupting compounds and their effects on early development (Research article)
• Bisphenol A and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Epidemiologic, Functional, and Early Life Factors (Research article)

• Bisphenol A: an emerging threat to female fertility (Research article)
• The Effects of Bisphenol A on Human Male Infertility: A Review of Current Epidemiological Studies (Research article)
• Bisphenol A Exposure Causes Meiotic Aneuploidy in the Female Mouse (Research article)
• Conjugated bisphenol A in maternal serum in relation to miscarriage risk (Research article)

• BPA substitutes may be just as bad as the popular consumer plastic  –  Science
• Are BPA Substitutes as Obesogenic as BPA? (Research article)
• The bisphenol F and bisphenol S and cardiovascular disease: results from NHANES 2013–2016 (Research article)
• Cytotoxicity of seven bisphenol analogues compared to bisphenol A and relationships with membrane affinity data (Research abstract)

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