POPs in the news

02/02/2022 -

The researchers found that people might be exposed to inhalable fiberglass fragments from their mattress covers but are unaware about this hidden hazard in their bedroom. If inhaled, fiberglass can irritate or damage the lungs, and cause other harms. More:

Flame Retardants Chemicals Exposure at Home

Fiberglass: A new hidden hazard in mattresses

The researchers found that people might be exposed to inhalable fiberglass fragments from their mattress covers but are unaware about this hidden hazard in their bedroom. If inhaled, fiberglass can irritate or damage the lungs, and cause other harms. More:

Flame Retardants Chemicals Exposure at Home
02/02/2022 -

Fifteen out of 23 popular sports bras have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report. Sports bras made from synthetic materials, rather than cotton, were more likely to have detectable levels of fluorine. More:

PFAS in Sportswear

Evidence of PFAS chemicals in sports bras

Fifteen out of 23 popular sports bras have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report. Sports bras made from synthetic materials, rather than cotton, were more likely to have detectable levels of fluorine. More:

PFAS in Sportswear
02/02/2022 -

At 30 of those DOD sites, the chemical, PFHxS, was found at even greater levels in groundwater than at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, the base linked to high PFHxS levels in the blood of Berkeley County, W.Va., residents. The higher levels of PFHxS were detected in monitoring wells located on DOD installations. It is unknown whether residents of communities near these 30 sites have been exposed to PFHxS in their drinking water. More:

PFAS: Toxicology PFAS:  Human Exposure

Almost 250 DOD sites have detectable levels of ‘forever chemical’ PFHxS

At 30 of those DOD sites, the chemical, PFHxS, was found at even greater levels in groundwater than at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, the base linked to high PFHxS levels in the blood of Berkeley County, W.Va., residents. The higher levels of PFHxS were detected in monitoring wells located on DOD installations. It is unknown whether residents of communities near these 30 sites have been exposed to PFHxS in their drinking water. More:

PFAS: Toxicology PFAS:  Human Exposure
31/01/2022 -

The finding from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was just the estimated cost of remediating places polluted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are typically referred to as PFAS. It does not include other costs to the state, which could include reimbursing property owners or farmers whose livelihoods are affected by the chemicals. More:


Maine may have to spend tens of millions per year to fight ‘forever chemicals’

The finding from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was just the estimated cost of remediating places polluted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are typically referred to as PFAS. It does not include other costs to the state, which could include reimbursing property owners or farmers whose livelihoods are affected by the chemicals. More:

31/01/2022 -

Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFASs, are considered indestructible chemicals. They are virtually nondegradable and accumulate in humans and the environment. Suspected health effects include asthma, cancer and changes in the reproductive organs. How to get rid of PFASs has been completely unclear until now—and the first approaches to destroying the resistant molecules are showing promising results. More:

PFAS: Accumulation and Detection PFAS: Destruction Technologies

How to Destroy ‘Forever Chemicals’

Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFASs, are considered indestructible chemicals. They are virtually nondegradable and accumulate in humans and the environment. Suspected health effects include asthma, cancer and changes in the reproductive organs. How to get rid of PFASs has been completely unclear until now—and the first approaches to destroying the resistant molecules are showing promising results. More:

PFAS: Accumulation and Detection PFAS: Destruction Technologies
30/01/2022 -

While there is growing awareness of the steep health impacts of global environmental changes—including the climate crisis, accelerating biodiversity loss, and an increasing saturation of plastic and chemical wastes—bringing the health and environment sectors together for joint action is easier said than done. More:


The Health-Environment Nexus

While there is growing awareness of the steep health impacts of global environmental changes—including the climate crisis, accelerating biodiversity loss, and an increasing saturation of plastic and chemical wastes—bringing the health and environment sectors together for joint action is easier said than done. More:

28/01/2022 -

A study claims that the production of chemicals and plastics has already outpaced our ability to assess and monitor them, and in doing so threatens critical systems that we depend on. The researchers behind the new study conclude that chemical pollution has crossed a planetary boundary. More:

Planetary boundaries - Novel Entities Regrettable substitutions

Earth’s limits pushed by chemical pollution as UN environment meeting nears

A study claims that the production of chemicals and plastics has already outpaced our ability to assess and monitor them, and in doing so threatens critical systems that we depend on. The researchers behind the new study conclude that chemical pollution has crossed a planetary boundary. More:

Planetary boundaries - Novel Entities Regrettable substitutions
26/01/2022 -

The widespread presence of these chemicals in dozens of products highlights concerns about the large number of PFAS exposures humans face via skin contact, indoor air and house dust. It’s already been proven that people are exposed through contaminated drinking water, food and breast milk. Textiles are now another category of concern. More:

PFAS in Consumer Products PFAS Industrial Discharges The PFAS Waste Cycle PFAS Regulation Avoiding Exposure

New tests find toxic 'forever chemicals' in bedding, yoga pants and other textiles

The widespread presence of these chemicals in dozens of products highlights concerns about the large number of PFAS exposures humans face via skin contact, indoor air and house dust. It’s already been proven that people are exposed through contaminated drinking water, food and breast milk. Textiles are now another category of concern. More:

PFAS in Consumer Products PFAS Industrial Discharges The PFAS Waste Cycle PFAS Regulation Avoiding Exposure
26/01/2022 -

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Working Group has identified more than 1,500 textile mills that may be releasing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS that are responsible for contaminating drinking water across the U.S. More:

PFAS: Human Health Impact PFAS: Industry Discharges PFAS Regulation

EWG: At least 1,500 U.S. textile mills likely dischargers of ‘forever chemicals’

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Working Group has identified more than 1,500 textile mills that may be releasing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS that are responsible for contaminating drinking water across the U.S. More:

PFAS: Human Health Impact PFAS: Industry Discharges PFAS Regulation
26/01/2022 -

The non-profit Toxic-Free Future found that almost three-quarters of 47 pieces of outdoor apparel, bedding, and kitchen linens that were marketed as stain- or water-resistant contain one or more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. And many of these items contained specific PFAS banned in the European Union and no longer made in the U.S. due to their health effects. More:

PFAS Toxicity PFAS in Clothing

PFAS widespread in water- and stain-resistant outdoor clothes, home linens

The non-profit Toxic-Free Future found that almost three-quarters of 47 pieces of outdoor apparel, bedding, and kitchen linens that were marketed as stain- or water-resistant contain one or more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. And many of these items contained specific PFAS banned in the European Union and no longer made in the U.S. due to their health effects. More:

PFAS Toxicity PFAS in Clothing
25/01/2022 -

So-called forever chemicals exceeded maximum levels in 74 separate water systems that provide drinking water to more than half a million people across New Jersey, according to an Inquirer analysis of new data released by the state. More:


First-ever New Jersey data say PFAS in drinking water exceeded safe levels at water systems serving more than half a million people

So-called forever chemicals exceeded maximum levels in 74 separate water systems that provide drinking water to more than half a million people across New Jersey, according to an Inquirer analysis of new data released by the state. More:

25/01/2022 -

Toxic, long-lived chemicals have been found in freshwater otters in the UK. The findings point to “widespread pollution” of the country’s waterways with PFASs — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). More:


Otters in the UK are heavily exposed to toxic ‘forever chemicals’

Toxic, long-lived chemicals have been found in freshwater otters in the UK. The findings point to “widespread pollution” of the country’s waterways with PFASs — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). More:

25/01/2022 -

Risk of COPD increased among adults ages 40-74 ever exposed to pesticides on the job (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.28), reported Sara De Matteis, MD, PhD, MPH, of Imperial College London, and colleagues. More:


On-the-Job Pesticide Exposure Increases Risk of COPD

Risk of COPD increased among adults ages 40-74 ever exposed to pesticides on the job (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.28), reported Sara De Matteis, MD, PhD, MPH, of Imperial College London, and colleagues. More:

23/01/2022 -

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s largest drinking water supplier discovered a toxic chemical in the river where it gets water for hundreds of thousands of customers, setting off a major search for polluters that led back to a Pennsylvania wastewater treatment plant and a South Jersey company. More:


How a toxic chemical ended up in the drinking water supply for 13 million people

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s largest drinking water supplier discovered a toxic chemical in the river where it gets water for hundreds of thousands of customers, setting off a major search for polluters that led back to a Pennsylvania wastewater treatment plant and a South Jersey company. More:

23/01/2022 -

For Michelle Leahy, it started with headaches, inflamed rashes on her arms and legs, and blisters in her mouth.. Some students and staff at Sky Valley Education Center, an alternative public school in Monroe, also had strange symptoms: cognitive problems, skin cysts, girls as young as 6 suddenly hitting puberty. More:


Toxic PCBs Festered at This Public School for Eight Years as Students and Teachers Grew Sicker

For Michelle Leahy, it started with headaches, inflamed rashes on her arms and legs, and blisters in her mouth.. Some students and staff at Sky Valley Education Center, an alternative public school in Monroe, also had strange symptoms: cognitive problems, skin cysts, girls as young as 6 suddenly hitting puberty. More:

20/01/2022 -

A lack of information is an often overlooked but important cause of pollution exposure among low-income households or communities of color, according to University of Michigan researchers. More:


Lack of information related to pollution exposure key issue for low-income households

A lack of information is an often overlooked but important cause of pollution exposure among low-income households or communities of color, according to University of Michigan researchers. More:

20/01/2022 -

One in four pairs of popular leggings and yoga pants tested have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report. Partnering with EHN.org, the environmental wellness blog and community Mamavation tested the activewear and found levels of fluorine ranging from 10 parts per million (ppm) up to 284 ppm in eight pairs of leggings and pants, out of 32 tested. More:

PFAS Human Exposure

Investigation finds evidence of PFAS in workout and yoga pants

One in four pairs of popular leggings and yoga pants tested have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report. Partnering with EHN.org, the environmental wellness blog and community Mamavation tested the activewear and found levels of fluorine ranging from 10 parts per million (ppm) up to 284 ppm in eight pairs of leggings and pants, out of 32 tested. More:

PFAS Human Exposure
19/01/2022 -

Widespread use of some disinfectants can cause environmental harms. For instance, chlorine-containing ones, such as bleach, can form dangerous by-products when they react with other molecules. Some other potentially greener disinfectants rely on a compound called phenol or its chemical lookalikes, but they can be costly and energy-intensive to make. More:


A disinfectant made from sawdust mows down deadly microbes

Widespread use of some disinfectants can cause environmental harms. For instance, chlorine-containing ones, such as bleach, can form dangerous by-products when they react with other molecules. Some other potentially greener disinfectants rely on a compound called phenol or its chemical lookalikes, but they can be costly and energy-intensive to make. More:

19/01/2022 -

Many thousands of human-made chemicals and synthetic pollutants are circulating throughout our world, with new ones entering production all the time — so many, in fact, that scientists now say we’ve crossed a critical threshold that heightens the risk of destabilizing the entire Earth operating system and posing a clear threat to humanity. More:

Planetary Boundaries Novel Entities Chemicals Management

We’ve breached Earth’s threshold for chemical pollution, study says

Many thousands of human-made chemicals and synthetic pollutants are circulating throughout our world, with new ones entering production all the time — so many, in fact, that scientists now say we’ve crossed a critical threshold that heightens the risk of destabilizing the entire Earth operating system and posing a clear threat to humanity. More:

Planetary Boundaries Novel Entities Chemicals Management
16/01/2022 -

People will go to all sorts of lengths to move towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Changing where and how they buy their clothes, cutting down on meat and dairy, and replacing trips in the car with journeys by foot. I’ve done all of those – but I’ve taken it further. More:

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Toxic reaction: how to clear dangerous pollutants out of your home

People will go to all sorts of lengths to move towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Changing where and how they buy their clothes, cutting down on meat and dairy, and replacing trips in the car with journeys by foot. I’ve done all of those – but I’ve taken it further. More:

Persistent Organic Pollutants
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