Toxic PFAS chemicals were detected in every umbilical cord blood sample across 40 studies. The studies collectively examined nearly 30,000 samples, and many linked fetal PFAS exposure to health complications in unborn babies, young children and later in life. More:

• ‘Forever chemicals’ detected in all umbilical cord blood in 40 studies  –  The Guardian
• Pregnant with PFAS: The threat of ‘forever chemicals’ in cord blood  –  EWG

The lead water crisis facing Chicago and many other US cities today has roots in a nearly century-old campaign to boost the lead industry’s sales. The year was 1933 and, to a group of industrialists gathered in a New York City lunch club, it seemed like the lead industry was doomed. More:

• Profiting from poison: how the US lead industry knowingly created a water crisis  –  The Guardian
• The Lead Industry and Lead Water Pipes “A MODEST CAMPAIGN” (Research article)
• The thousands of U.S. locales where lead poisoning is worse than in Flint  –  Reuters

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic consumed humanity’s attention, our species ran through 4.5 trillion doses of myriad pharmaceuticals. In India alone, one drug, paracetamol — a pain reliever used to treat some COVID-19 symptoms — saw sales top 3.5 billion pills through 2021. This occurred even as the pandemic pushed big pharma into overdrive, with companies racing to develop and hit the market with successful vaccines, dispensing more than 12.6 billion doses in record time. More:

• Humans are dosing Earth’s waterways with medicines. It isn’t healthy.  –  Mongabay

• Pharmaceutical pollution of the world’s rivers (Research article)
• Metformin environmental exposure: A systematic review (Research abstract)
• Assessment of the Potential Ecotoxicological Effects of Pharmaceuticals in the World's Rivers (Research article)
• Emerging wastewater contaminant metformin causes intersex and reduced fecundity in fish (Research article)
• Low-dose metformin exposure causes changes in expression of endocrine disruption-associated genes (Research abstract)

• Five ways hospitals are tackling pharmaceutical pollution  –  Pharmaceutical technology
• Research project that aims at reducing the environmental hazards related to the life cycle of pharmaceuticals  –  Sudden
• Greening the pharmacy (Research abstract)

Since the global pandemic began in 2020, the world has become ever more aware that the health of our species is closely intertwined with other animals. Today, the conversation is mostly focused on birds and mammals, with amphibians rarely considered – but that may be a dangerous oversight. More:

• The Frogs Vanished, Then People Got Sick. This Was No Harmless Coincidence  –  ScienceAlert
• Amphibian collapses increased malaria incidence in Central America (Research article)

A study, published in the Environmental and Science Technology journal, detected PFAS in 65% of school uniforms, rain gear, snowsuits, snowshoes, mittens, bibs, hats and stroller covers tested, and at levels authors characterized as “high”. More:

• ‘What are they thinking?’: toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in school uniforms  –  The Guardian
• Study finds high levels of PFAS in school uniforms  –  Science Daily
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American School Uniforms (Research article)

If you follow the science news, you’ll probably see research about PFAS – where they’re found, where they come from, and their impacts on health and the environment – coming out every week. But what actually are these chemicals, and why is there so much interest in them? More:

• Explainer: what are PFAS?  –  COSMOS

• Is There a ‘Right’ Definition of PFAS?  –  BU School of Public Health
• Is It Possible to Eliminate Something That Is “Forever”?  –  ACS

• Would you like some chemicals with that?  –  COSMOS
• How Well Do Product Labels Indicate the Presence of PFAS in Consumer Items Used by Children and Adolescents? (Research article)
• Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS  –  EPA

• Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)  –  US NIH
• Exposure to Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances and Health Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiologic Literature (Research article)
• C8 Probable Link Reports  –  C8 Science Panel
• Higher levels of PFAS exposure may increase chance of Covid, studies say  –  The Guardian

• Katherine's PFAS water treatment plant finally ready for action — but more will follow, experts warn  –  ABC News

States are continuing to allow sewage sludge to be spread on cropland as fertilizer and in some cases increasing the amount spread, even as the PFAS-tainted substance has ruined farmers’ livelihoods, poisoned water supplies, contaminated food and put the public’s health at risk. More:

• Fury over ‘forever chemicals’ as US states spread toxic sewage sludge  –  The Guardian
• Despite pushback from residents, more sludge coming to King William  –  DailyPress

• ‘I don’t know how we’ll survive’: the farmers facing ruin in Maine’s ‘forever chemicals’ crisis  –  The Guardian
• Michigan beef found to contain dangerous levels of ‘forever chemicals’  –  The Guardian
• Initiatives to Evaluate the Presence of PFAS in Municipal Wastewater and Associated Residuals (Sludge/Biosolids) in Michigan (Summary report)  –  Michigan EGLE
• 3M, Georgia Town Sued Over PFAS Sludge in Water, on Farms  –  Bloomberg Law

• Maine bans use of sewage sludge on farms to reduce risk of PFAS poisoning  –  The Guardian
• City again outlaws human waste as fertilizer  –  Central Oklahoma Weeklies
• Alabama tightens rules on foul-smelling sludge after complaints  –  Al.com

A 2021 investigation into a fast fashion firm found elevated levels of lead, phthalates, and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – chemicals linked to health problems – in clothing for children and adults, including pregnant women. More:

• The toxic chemicals in our clothes – lead, chromium, PFAS, phthalates – and the harm they do us, our children and the workers who make them  –  South China Morning Post
• Experts warn of high levels of chemicals in clothes by some fast-fashion retailers  –  CBC

Noyon Lanka, a unit of Sri Lanka’s MAS apparel group has developed a new plant extract-based dye that reduces water and energy use in washing plants and makes the industry more environmentally friendly, officials said. More:

• Sri Lanka’s Noyon Lanka develops eco-friendly plant based dye  –  EconomyNext

Are you using the safest non-toxic waffle maker to make your family waffles? This small kitchen appliance category is very confusing for consumers. Most brands are using PFAS “forever chemicals” and nano-titanium ceramic as a non-stick coating. Both are linked to health problems. So which brands and products are the safest?. More:

• Best Non-Toxic Waffle Maker Sans PFAS -"Forever Chemicals" and Nano-Titanium  –  Mamavation

• Best & Worst Small Kitchen Appliances–Toxic Food Contact Materials  –  Mamavation
• Safest Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens Sans Toxic PFAS Coatings 2021  –  Mamavation

• Best & Worst Cookware & Bakeware 2022–Safest Non Toxic Brands  –  Mamavation
• Watch Out For Nano in “Non-Toxic” Stainless Steel Cookware in 2022  –  Mamavation
• Toxic Packaging Are Fast Food Wrappers Hurting Your Family  –  Mamavation

• Best Non-Toxic Sunscreens (& Ones to Avoid) in 2022  –  Mamavation
• Green Beauty Cosmetic Guide — PFAS “Forever Chemicals” & Makeup  –  Mamavation
• Safest Non-Toxic Toothpaste & Tooth Powder With & Without Fluoride  –  Mamavation

• What are the health effects of PFAS?  –  US ATSDR
• Health effects of PFAS exposure  –  Food Packaging Forum
• PFAS and cancer, a scoping review of the epidemiologic evidence (Research article)
• CDC and ATSDR Award $7 Million to Begin Multi-Site PFAS Study  –  US CDC

• Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS (Research article)
• Nonstick Pan Chemicals Linked to Low Sperm Count and Small Penis Size Study Finds  –  Mamavation
• Endocrine-disrupting activity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Exploring combined approaches of ligand and structure based modeling (Research abstract)

• PFAS exposure in infancy linked to reduced vaccine response  –  US NIH
• Maternal levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) during pregnancy and childhood allergy and asthma related outcomes and infections in the Norwegian Mother and Child (MoBa) cohort (Research article)
• Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Their Effects on the Placenta, Pregnancy, and Child Development: a Potential Mechanistic Role for Placental Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptors (PPARs) (Research abstract)

The study is one of the first that links exposure to PFAS, found in products such as nonstick pans and fabric coatings, to the most common form of liver cancer in humans. More:

• Ubiquitous ‘Forever Chemicals’ Increase Risk of Liver Cancer, Researchers Report  –  Inside Climate News
• Synthetic “forever chemical” linked to liver cancer  –  EurekAlert
• Scientists link ‘forever chemical’ exposure to development of liver cancer  –  The Hill

• Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a multiethnic cohort (Research article)
• Scientists link ‘forever chemicals’ exposure to liver damage  –  The Hill
• C8 Probable Link Reports  –  C8 Science Panel
• Serum Biomarkers of Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Relation to Serum Testosterone and Measures of Thyroid Function among Adults and Adolescents from NHANES 2011–2012 (Research article)

The chocolate you eat, the moisturizer you use, the tea you drink—these everyday products contain ingredients from wild plants. The way those plants—many of them threatened—are harvested may be damaging the environment and exploiting workers, a recent report found. More:

• Everyday foods and cosmetics that use wild plants may be harming the environment  –  National Geographic
• Wild check - Assessing the risks and opportunities of trade in wild plant ingredients (Report) –  FAO
• What to Do: Consumers  –  Sustainable Herbs Program
• The tree that could help stop the pandemic  –  The Atlantic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency to designate two “forever chemicals” used in cookware, carpets and firefighting foams as hazardous substances, a step that would clear the way for quicker cleanup of the toxic compounds, which have been linked to cancer and other health problems. More:

• EPA to designate ‘forever chemicals’ as hazardous substances  –  AP News
• PFAS-polluted towns see promise in EPA's proposal to list chemicals as hazardous substances  –  Wisconsin Public Radio

• EPA: ‘Forever chemicals’ pose risk even at very low levels  –  AP News
• Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers  –  AP News
• ‘Forever chemicals’ found in groundwater near military bases  –  AP News

• EPA hazardous substance proposal holds ‘forever chemicals’ polluters accountable  –  EWG
• EPA unveils strategy to regulate toxic ‘forever chemicals’  –  AP News
• EPA will regulate two toxic chemicals in drinking water  –  AP News

While the PFAS-contamination crisis threatens U.S. public health and the environment, a North Carolina–based company has begun marketing new uses for its trademarked “forever chemicals,” called hydrofluoroolefins, or HFOs. The HFO chemicals are used as propellants and solvents in consumer products and just a couple dozen cosmetics. More:

• Honeywell moves to introduce more PFAS into your home  –  EWG
• PFAS Chemicals  –  EWG

• Reconciling Terminology of the Universe of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Recommendations and Practical Guidance (Report)  –  OECD
• Regulating PFAS as a Chemical Class under the California Safer Consumer Products Program (Commentary)  –  Environmental Health Perspectives
• PFAS Master List of PFAS Substances  –  US EPA
• National PFAS Testing Strategy  –  US EPA

• PFAS  –  Safer States
• An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution (Legislative Text)  –  State of Maine Legislature
• California Assembly passes bill to track and report toxic ‘forever chemicals’ sold, distributed or imported to the state  –  EWG

• California legislature sends to Gov. Newsom bill to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ from cosmetics  –  EWG
• ARTICLE 1. Plant-Based Food Packaging Containing PFAS (Legislative Document)  –  California Legislative Information
• CHAPTER 12.5. Juvenile Products (Legislative Document)  –  California Legislative Information

It’s not only the odour of the “world’s smelliest fish” that should make your stomach turn. The Baltic Sea, home of the sour herring, is heavily polluted, making the fatty fish loaded with hazardous chemicals. More:

• The bitter truth about sour herring  –  ChemSec

• Hell and gore: High levels of PFAS in crayfish yet another sign of an intoxicated world  –  ChemSec
• European teenagers are high – on PFAS  –  ChemSec

Researchers touted a breakthrough in removing ‘forever chemicals’ from the environment. Not so fast, cautions a pre-eminent green chemist. More:

• Terry Collins: PFAS removal discovery not yet a ‘powerful solution’  –  EHN

• ‘Forever chemicals’ destroyed by simple new method  –  Northwestern Now
• Low-temperature mineralization of perfluorocarboxylic acids  –  Science
• How to Remove PFAS from Water  –  Fresh Water Systems

A new test study shows that Swedish crayfish are loaded with PFAS, yet another sign that we have exceeded the limit for how much PFAS the planet can take. More:

• Hell and gore: High levels of PFAS in crayfish yet another sign of an intoxicated world  –  ChemSec

• European teenagers are high – on PFAS  –  ChemSec

Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that found more than three quarters of urine samples tested from adults and children in the U.S. contained glyphosate, the herbicide used in Roundup weedkiller. A new FAU and Nova Southeastern University study has gone further and found a link between the weedkiller and convulsions in animals. More:

• Roundup Weedkiller Linked to Convulsions in Animals  –  EcoWatch

• Study First to Link Weed Killer Roundup® to Convulsions in Animals  –  Florida Atlantic University
• Scientists link common weedkiller to convulsions in animals  –  The Hill

• Toxic Weedkiller Chemicals Detected in Nearly 40% of People Tested in U.S. Study  –  EcoWatch
• Urinary Glyphosate (N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine) Data Tables Published  –  US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Glyphosate Found in More than 80% of U.S. Urine Samples  –  EcoWatch

While the Covid-19 pandemic brought the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and its impact on human health and safety to the forefront of the public health conversation, the topic isn’t a new one. Nearly 40 years ago, a report by the World Health Organization suggested that up to 30% of buildings worldwide were the subject of excessive IAQ-related complaints, including cough, dizziness, chest tightness and muscle aches. More:

• Indoor Air Pollution: How Lessons From The Past Can Build A Better Tomorrow  –  Forbes

• Indoor Air Quality  –  US EPA
• Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised) Sick Building Syndrome  –  US EPA

A long list of upcoming trials complicating Bayer’s efforts to escape the costly, ongoing litigation over the health effects of Roundup. More:

• Popular weedkiller Roundup on trial again as cancer victims demand justice  –  The Guardian

• IARC Monograph on Glyphosate  –  International Agency for Research on Cancer
• Glyphosate  –  International Agency for Research on Cancer

• Roundup litigation at turning point as Bayer rejects “global resolution plan”  –  The New Lede
• Case No. CGC-21-592238 (Court Document)
• No. 20-70787 (Court Document)
• No. 21-241  –  Supreme Court of the United States
• Cause No. 19SL-CC03617 (Court Document)

• EPA Official Accused of Helping Monsanto ‘Kill’ Cancer Study  –  Bloomberg
• Monsanto Was Its Own Ghostwriter for Some Safety Reviews  –  Bloomberg
• One man's suffering exposed Monsanto's secrets to the world  –  The Guardian