POPs in the news

22/04/2023 -

Caroline Nowlan has spent a decade working on a machine that she's only seen once, through a window. And that's probably all she's going to get, now that TEMPO is 35,000 kilometres above the surface of the Earth. TEMPO is the first pollution-measuring instrument that could scan North America hourly. More:


She's watching a pollution-measuring machine that could reveal surprises from 35,000 km away

Caroline Nowlan has spent a decade working on a machine that she's only seen once, through a window. And that's probably all she's going to get, now that TEMPO is 35,000 kilometres above the surface of the Earth. TEMPO is the first pollution-measuring instrument that could scan North America hourly. More:

19/04/2023 -

The study took a novel approach to a frustrating conundrum many adults have experienced at some point: Pounds that slowly creep back on after successful weight loss and despite faithful adherence to a healthier diet. More:

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Obesogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

PFAS has more effect than type of diet on weight gain: Study

The study took a novel approach to a frustrating conundrum many adults have experienced at some point: Pounds that slowly creep back on after successful weight loss and despite faithful adherence to a healthier diet. More:

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Obesogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
19/04/2023 -

States and cities are replacing lead pipes to address concerns over lead-contaminated drinking water, an urgent health threat. But environmental advocates are concerned that a popular alternative piping material could pose its own dangers. More:

Lead contamination Vinyl Chloride and PCV Plastic Risks Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics

As states replace lead pipes, plastic alternatives could bring new risks

States and cities are replacing lead pipes to address concerns over lead-contaminated drinking water, an urgent health threat. But environmental advocates are concerned that a popular alternative piping material could pose its own dangers. More:

Lead contamination Vinyl Chloride and PCV Plastic Risks Hazardous Chemicas in Plastics
17/04/2023 -

Compostable packaging is popular for environmental reasons, but it can be treated with ‘forever chemicals’ linked to health problems. More:


Toxic PFAS chemicals used in packaging can end up in food, study finds

Compostable packaging is popular for environmental reasons, but it can be treated with ‘forever chemicals’ linked to health problems. More:

New tech could one day scrub ‘forever chemicals’ from your tap water

15/04/2023 -

Since Tupperware, the iconic kitchen brand that’s been a household name for decades, signaled recently that it might be going out of business, you might be wondering how long your stash of its food storage containers is safe to use — especially if it’s vintage. Figuring out the answer to that question for any type of reusable plastic food storage products — not just Tupperware — often comes down to understanding what they’re made of. More:


How long you can use your vintage Tupperware and other plastic food storage products

Since Tupperware, the iconic kitchen brand that’s been a household name for decades, signaled recently that it might be going out of business, you might be wondering how long your stash of its food storage containers is safe to use — especially if it’s vintage. Figuring out the answer to that question for any type of reusable plastic food storage products — not just Tupperware — often comes down to understanding what they’re made of. More:

14/04/2023 -

Here’s the bad news: Forever chemicals are everywhere. These toxic compounds, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are often used in goods that resist water and grease like packaged foods, cookware, furniture, and outdoor apparel. More:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) PFAS: Industrial sources PFAS in the Environment PFAS in Food Packaging and other Food Contact Application PFAS in Clothes PFAS Health Effects PFAS Risk Management and Regulation

Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Limit Your Exposure

Here’s the bad news: Forever chemicals are everywhere. These toxic compounds, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are often used in goods that resist water and grease like packaged foods, cookware, furniture, and outdoor apparel. More:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) PFAS: Industrial sources PFAS in the Environment PFAS in Food Packaging and other Food Contact Application PFAS in Clothes PFAS Health Effects PFAS Risk Management and Regulation
13/04/2023 -

Around 15 million people across the globe are working at artisanal and small-scale gold mining sites, nearly a third of them women and children. Instead of operating advanced equipment supplied by formal mining companies subject to government oversight, they use basic tools, bulldozers and unregulated chemicals. More:

Mercury Use in Gold Mining and Impact

International mercury regulations fail to protect the environment, public health: study

Around 15 million people across the globe are working at artisanal and small-scale gold mining sites, nearly a third of them women and children. Instead of operating advanced equipment supplied by formal mining companies subject to government oversight, they use basic tools, bulldozers and unregulated chemicals. More:

Mercury Use in Gold Mining and Impact
11/04/2023 -

Scientists from the University of Toronto have detected cancer-causing chemicals called short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in over 87 per cent of products tested, despite the toxins being banned in Canada for a decade now. More:

Chlorinated Paraffins in the Environment Human Exposure to Chlorinated Paraffins Body Burden of Chlorinated Paraffins

Illegal, cancer-causing chemicals detected in Canadian toys and electronics, new U of T study finds

Scientists from the University of Toronto have detected cancer-causing chemicals called short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in over 87 per cent of products tested, despite the toxins being banned in Canada for a decade now. More:

Chlorinated Paraffins in the Environment Human Exposure to Chlorinated Paraffins Body Burden of Chlorinated Paraffins
11/04/2023 -

While PFAS has become a predominant environmental health concern, they are not the only class of forever chemicals that pose a health risk. Rather, they belong to a diverse group of chemicals that share the property of being remarkably stable in the environment. Other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which is the scientific term for forever chemicals, include polychlorinated biphenylsl (PCBs), dioxins and organochlorine pesticides like DDT. More:


PFAS: The “New” Forever Chemicals

While PFAS has become a predominant environmental health concern, they are not the only class of forever chemicals that pose a health risk. Rather, they belong to a diverse group of chemicals that share the property of being remarkably stable in the environment. Other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which is the scientific term for forever chemicals, include polychlorinated biphenylsl (PCBs), dioxins and organochlorine pesticides like DDT. More:

‘Forever chemicals’ linked to infertility in women, study shows

05/04/2023 -

In response to a 2017 request by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), produced a report on the adverse impacts of pesticides and fertilizers and what can be done to minimize them. More:


UN Report Details Actions to Minimize Negative Impacts of Pesticides

In response to a 2017 request by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), produced a report on the adverse impacts of pesticides and fertilizers and what can be done to minimize them. More:

04/04/2023 -

Some furniture fabrics are coated with questionable PFAS compounds – often called 'forever chemicals' – to repel stains, but a new study suggests they may not even do the job they're supposed to. More:

Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances

'Forever Chemicals' Used in Furniture May Not Help Fabrics Resist Stains

Some furniture fabrics are coated with questionable PFAS compounds – often called 'forever chemicals' – to repel stains, but a new study suggests they may not even do the job they're supposed to. More:

Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances
03/04/2023 -

Chemicals that were banned after they punched a hole in Earth’s ozone layer are still building up at an alarming rate in our atmosphere, according to research published today in the journal Nature Geoscience. The chemicals were once widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration but were supposed to be phased out globally by 2010. More:

Ozone Depleting Substances Greenhouse Gases Control and Regulation

Chemicals banned from air conditioners and refrigerators are making a comeback — and scientists don’t know why

Chemicals that were banned after they punched a hole in Earth’s ozone layer are still building up at an alarming rate in our atmosphere, according to research published today in the journal Nature Geoscience. The chemicals were once widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration but were supposed to be phased out globally by 2010. More:

Ozone Depleting Substances Greenhouse Gases Control and Regulation
31/03/2023 -

You may not be able to see PFAS molecules around you, but they are ubiquitous: in our food, leaching into our water supplies, and in our blood. The class of water-resistant compounds used to make raincoats waterproof and nonstick pans stick-proof are also known as "forever chemicals," so named because they do not naturally break down in the environment (or in our bloodstream). More:

PFAS Exposure and Health Effects

Your microwave popcorn bags are full of harmful "forever chemicals"

You may not be able to see PFAS molecules around you, but they are ubiquitous: in our food, leaching into our water supplies, and in our blood. The class of water-resistant compounds used to make raincoats waterproof and nonstick pans stick-proof are also known as "forever chemicals," so named because they do not naturally break down in the environment (or in our bloodstream). More:

PFAS Exposure and Health Effects
29/03/2023 -

As plastic littering in the environment is of great concern, the effects of littered biobased biodegradable plastics in aquatic habitats may be amplified by their capacity to interact with mercury (Hg). This study sought to understand better how ultraviolet (UV) ageing affects biobased polymers in water, and whether the amount of mercury that can attach to these polymers increases as a result. More:


Biobased biodegradable polymers may amplify absorption of mercury from the marine environment

As plastic littering in the environment is of great concern, the effects of littered biobased biodegradable plastics in aquatic habitats may be amplified by their capacity to interact with mercury (Hg). This study sought to understand better how ultraviolet (UV) ageing affects biobased polymers in water, and whether the amount of mercury that can attach to these polymers increases as a result. More:

28/03/2023 -

Sperm quality appears to be declining around the world but is a little discussed cause of infertility. Now scientists are narrowing in on what might be behind the problem. More:

PFAS Body Burden and Impact on Fertility Impact of Other Chemicals on Fertility Impact of Air Pollution and Other Environmental Factors on Fertility

How pollution is causing a male fertility crisis

Sperm quality appears to be declining around the world but is a little discussed cause of infertility. Now scientists are narrowing in on what might be behind the problem. More:

PFAS Body Burden and Impact on Fertility Impact of Other Chemicals on Fertility Impact of Air Pollution and Other Environmental Factors on Fertility
28/03/2023 -

Aside from being marketed as “good for the environment,” each has been found to carry high levels of toxic, long-lived chemicals called PFAS — or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — according to the first study of its kind in Canada. More:

Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) PFAS in Food Packaging PFAS Toxicity PFAS Regulation Thresholds for PFAS in Food and Drinking Water

High levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in so-called ‘green’ food packaging used across Canada, says a new study

Aside from being marketed as “good for the environment,” each has been found to carry high levels of toxic, long-lived chemicals called PFAS — or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — according to the first study of its kind in Canada. More:

Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) PFAS in Food Packaging PFAS Toxicity PFAS Regulation Thresholds for PFAS in Food and Drinking Water
22/03/2023 -

Residents of a small town in Belgium are experiencing a living nightmare, as they deal with the knowledge that the land around them is contaminated with so-called "forever chemicals", otherwise known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). More:

PFAS Contaminated Sites in Europe

Residents of Belgian town living through nightmare of 'forever chemical' pollution

Residents of a small town in Belgium are experiencing a living nightmare, as they deal with the knowledge that the land around them is contaminated with so-called "forever chemicals", otherwise known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). More:

PFAS Contaminated Sites in Europe
22/03/2023 -

University of British Columbia researchers develop silica-based material with ability to absorb wider range of harmful chemicals. More:

PFAS Water Treatment Technology PFAS in Wildlife

Canada: scientists discover new method to break down toxic ‘forever chemicals’

University of British Columbia researchers develop silica-based material with ability to absorb wider range of harmful chemicals. More:

PFAS Water Treatment Technology PFAS in Wildlife
Page 16 of 81First   Previous   11  12  13  14  15  [16]  17  18  19  20  Next   Last   

DISCLAIMERS

This publication may contain advice, opinions and statements of various information and content providers, and in particular extracts from electronic journals, newspapers and magazines or from other materials (hereinafter the “materials”), about the Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS). Please note that the views expressed in these materials are the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views nor carry the endorsement of the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention (SSC), of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) or of the United Nations (UN). Therefore, SSC, UNEP or the UN shall not be responsible for the accuracy or reliability, or completeness of any advice, opinion, statement or other information provided by any information provider, or by any other person or entity, in the contents of these materials. Reliance upon any such advice, opinion, statement, or other information, shall also be at the User's own risk. Neither SSC/UNEP/the UN, nor their respective affiliates, agents, employees, information providers or content providers, shall be liable to any User or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, alteration of or use of any content herein, or for its timeliness or completeness, nor shall they be liable for any failure of performance, computer virus or communication line failure, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. SSC/UNEP/the UN shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned, directly or indirectly, through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of these materials. 

The designations employed and the presentation of the materials in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of SSC, UNEP or the UN, concerning the geo-political situations or the legal status of any country, territory, or city or area or their authorities, or concerning the delimitation of their frontiers or boundaries. 

Mention of the names of companies and of commercial products does not imply their endorsement by the UN, UNEP, and by the BRS Conventions’ Secretariats.

For more information please consult the Terms of Use of the Stockholm Convention website.