POPs in the news

Leading researchers call for a ban on widely used insecticides

09/11/2018 - Public health experts have found there is sufficient evidence that prenatal exposure to widely used insecticides known as organophosphates puts children at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. In a scientific review and call to action, the researchers call for immediate government intervention to phase out all organophosphates. More:

Leading researchers call for a ban on widely used insecticides

Public health experts have found there is sufficient evidence that prenatal exposure to widely used insecticides known as organophosphates puts children at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. In a scientific review and call to action, the researchers call for immediate government intervention to phase out all organophosphates. More:

PFAS What You Need to Know

08/11/2018 -
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. More:

PFAS What You Need to Know

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. More:

Dirt rich: Healthy soil movement gains ground in farm country

08/11/2018 -

Regenerative agriculture, the approach to farming built around four basic rules: Never till the soil; use cover crops so soil is never bare; grow a more diverse mix of plants and graze livestock on fields after harvest or before planting. The movement developed amid concerns that traditional farming is mining the soil, which leads to poor soil health, reduced biodiversity and overuse of insecticides on crops. More:


Dirt rich: Healthy soil movement gains ground in farm country

Regenerative agriculture, the approach to farming built around four basic rules: Never till the soil; use cover crops so soil is never bare; grow a more diverse mix of plants and graze livestock on fields after harvest or before planting. The movement developed amid concerns that traditional farming is mining the soil, which leads to poor soil health, reduced biodiversity and overuse of insecticides on crops. More:

Regulation of foam's toxic chemicals a moving target

05/11/2018 -

A federal health organization was set to publish a study earlier this year that would cast serious doubt on levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) the Environmental Protection Agency deems safe in drinking water. More:


Regulation of foam's toxic chemicals a moving target

A federal health organization was set to publish a study earlier this year that would cast serious doubt on levels of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) the Environmental Protection Agency deems safe in drinking water. More:

Childhood exposure to contaminants varies by country and compound

30/10/2018 -

The levels of 45 environmental contaminants were measured in samples from 1 300 mother-child pairs in Greece, Spain, France, Lithuania, UK and Norway, as part of the HELIX Study. Most of the contaminants were found in almost all the participants, but less than one per cent of the samples had levels that exceeded current thresholds for increased risk of adverse health effects. For mercury and two perfluoroalkyl substances (PFOS and PFOA), many of the participants had concentrations that exceeded the threshold for which a reduction in exposure is recommended. More:


Childhood exposure to contaminants varies by country and compound

The levels of 45 environmental contaminants were measured in samples from 1 300 mother-child pairs in Greece, Spain, France, Lithuania, UK and Norway, as part of the HELIX Study. Most of the contaminants were found in almost all the participants, but less than one per cent of the samples had levels that exceeded current thresholds for increased risk of adverse health effects. For mercury and two perfluoroalkyl substances (PFOS and PFOA), many of the participants had concentrations that exceeded the threshold for which a reduction in exposure is recommended. More:

The Teflon Toxin Part 19: EPA continues to approve toxic PFAS chemicals despite widespread contamination

25/10/2018 -
Such chemicals, like PFOA and PFOS, have been associated with cancers, hormonal disruption, obesity, and immune and reproductive problems. In all, 203 PFAS have been made in or imported to the U.S. in large quantities since 1986, when the first CDR was published, according to EPA data. More:

The Teflon Toxin Part 19: EPA continues to approve toxic PFAS chemicals despite widespread contamination

Such chemicals, like PFOA and PFOS, have been associated with cancers, hormonal disruption, obesity, and immune and reproductive problems. In all, 203 PFAS have been made in or imported to the U.S. in large quantities since 1986, when the first CDR was published, according to EPA data. More:

Dieldrin dilemma: How dated science and fish-eating advisories may be putting brains at risk

22/10/2018 -
Dieldrin, a long-banned pesticide lingers in fish across the US. Its toxic effects on the brain have never been incorporated into fish consumption advisories. More:

Dieldrin dilemma: How dated science and fish-eating advisories may be putting brains at risk

Dieldrin, a long-banned pesticide lingers in fish across the US. Its toxic effects on the brain have never been incorporated into fish consumption advisories. More:

Arctic wildlife remains at risk from contaminants, says a Arctic Council report

11/10/2018 -
The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme report says levels of mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, remain “a significant exposure concern” for Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, killer whales, pilot whales, seals, and various seabirds, shorebirds and birds of prey. More:

Arctic wildlife remains at risk from contaminants, says a Arctic Council report

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme report says levels of mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, remain “a significant exposure concern” for Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, killer whales, pilot whales, seals, and various seabirds, shorebirds and birds of prey. More:

Nationwide class action lawsuit targets Dupont, Chemours, 3M, and other makers of PFAS chemicals

06/10/2018 -

A class action lawsuit against 3M, DuPont, and Chemours was filed this week on behalf of everyone in the United States who has been exposed to PFAS chemicals. The suit was brought by Kevin Hardwick, an Ohio firefighter, but “seeks relief on behalf of a nationwide class of everyone in the United States who has a detectable level of PFAS chemicals in their blood.” More:


Nationwide class action lawsuit targets Dupont, Chemours, 3M, and other makers of PFAS chemicals

A class action lawsuit against 3M, DuPont, and Chemours was filed this week on behalf of everyone in the United States who has been exposed to PFAS chemicals. The suit was brought by Kevin Hardwick, an Ohio firefighter, but “seeks relief on behalf of a nationwide class of everyone in the United States who has a detectable level of PFAS chemicals in their blood.” More:

Orca 'apocalypse': half of killer whales doomed to die from pollution

27/09/2018 -

At least half of the world’s killer whale populations are doomed to extinction due to toxic and persistent pollution of the oceans, according to a major new study. Although the poisonous chemicals, PCBs, have been banned for decades, they are still leaking into the seas. They become concentrated up the food chain; as a result, killer whales, the top predators, are the most contaminated animals on the planet. Worse, their fat-rich milk passes on very high doses to their newborn calves. More:


Orca 'apocalypse': half of killer whales doomed to die from pollution

At least half of the world’s killer whale populations are doomed to extinction due to toxic and persistent pollution of the oceans, according to a major new study. Although the poisonous chemicals, PCBs, have been banned for decades, they are still leaking into the seas. They become concentrated up the food chain; as a result, killer whales, the top predators, are the most contaminated animals on the planet. Worse, their fat-rich milk passes on very high doses to their newborn calves. More:

U.S. agency struggling with organohalogen flame retardants in consumer products

23/09/2018 -
From laptop computers to babies’ high chairs, hundreds of everyday household goods contain chemicals intentionally added to prevent or slow the items from igniting. These compounds can end up in a home’s dust and ingested by children and adults. More:

U.S. agency struggling with organohalogen flame retardants in consumer products

From laptop computers to babies’ high chairs, hundreds of everyday household goods contain chemicals intentionally added to prevent or slow the items from igniting. These compounds can end up in a home’s dust and ingested by children and adults. More:

San Francisco Bans Fluorinated Chemicals in Foodservice Ware and More

20/09/2018 -
San Francisco has banned of the sale of food service ware: that contains fluorinated chemicals, is made from polystyrene foam, and that is not either compostable or recyclable. The polystyrene foam ban takes effect on January 1, 2019, while the other bans become effective on January 1, 2020. More:

San Francisco Bans Fluorinated Chemicals in Foodservice Ware and More

San Francisco has banned of the sale of food service ware: that contains fluorinated chemicals, is made from polystyrene foam, and that is not either compostable or recyclable. The polystyrene foam ban takes effect on January 1, 2019, while the other bans become effective on January 1, 2020. More:

Study examines harmful effects of some food additives on children

20/09/2018 -

There are more than 10,000 chemicals allowed to be added to our food. Some of them are harmless; some we don’t know the effects of, and others have been studied and show they can cause serious health risks to children and adults. A report looks into the effects of additives like food coloring, nitrates, nitrites and BPAs, among other things, and their effect on health. More:


Study examines harmful effects of some food additives on children

There are more than 10,000 chemicals allowed to be added to our food. Some of them are harmless; some we don’t know the effects of, and others have been studied and show they can cause serious health risks to children and adults. A report looks into the effects of additives like food coloring, nitrates, nitrites and BPAs, among other things, and their effect on health. More:

The DDT of this generation is contaminating water all over the US and Australia

07/09/2018 -

On September 6, 2018, a US House of Representatives hearing convened to ask why federal authorities haven’t regulated PFAS, a little-known class of chemicals that has sparked one of the biggest drinking-water contamination revelations in recent decades. More:


The DDT of this generation is contaminating water all over the US and Australia

On September 6, 2018, a US House of Representatives hearing convened to ask why federal authorities haven’t regulated PFAS, a little-known class of chemicals that has sparked one of the biggest drinking-water contamination revelations in recent decades. More:

Removing Toxic Fluorinated Chemicals From Your Home’s Tap Water

06/09/2018 -

The family of fluorinated compounds known as PFAS chemicals includes more than 4,700 chemicals—some linked to cancer, thyroid disease, weakened immunity and developmental defects, and others whose health effects are unknown. Drinking water is one of the most common sources of exposure. Based on information from state health agencies, testing labs, scientific researchers and water filter companies, the most effective choice for in-home treatment of PFAS-tainted tap water is a reverse osmosis filter, followed by an activated carbon filter. More:


Removing Toxic Fluorinated Chemicals From Your Home’s Tap Water

The family of fluorinated compounds known as PFAS chemicals includes more than 4,700 chemicals—some linked to cancer, thyroid disease, weakened immunity and developmental defects, and others whose health effects are unknown. Drinking water is one of the most common sources of exposure. Based on information from state health agencies, testing labs, scientific researchers and water filter companies, the most effective choice for in-home treatment of PFAS-tainted tap water is a reverse osmosis filter, followed by an activated carbon filter. More:

High levels of PFAS found at Parchment paper mill's landfill

06/09/2018 -

Extremely high levels of toxic fluorochemicals once used to coat specialty papers produced were found at a capped landfill formerly used by paper mills in Parchment. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality informed that tests revealed one spot contained 11,500 parts per trillion of perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS. The compounds are among a larger collection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances collectively called PFAS. A perfluoroalkyl polymer was a main ingredient in oil and grease-repellents used in laminated paper products produced in Parchment, a town whose name was drawn from its founding industry. More:


High levels of PFAS found at Parchment paper mill's landfill

Extremely high levels of toxic fluorochemicals once used to coat specialty papers produced were found at a capped landfill formerly used by paper mills in Parchment. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality informed that tests revealed one spot contained 11,500 parts per trillion of perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS. The compounds are among a larger collection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances collectively called PFAS. A perfluoroalkyl polymer was a main ingredient in oil and grease-repellents used in laminated paper products produced in Parchment, a town whose name was drawn from its founding industry. More:

Food Additives and Child Health

31/08/2018 -

Increasing scientific evidence suggests potential adverse effects on children’s health from synthetic chemicals used as food additives, both those deliberately added to food during processing (direct) and those used in materials that may contaminate food as part of packaging or manufacturing (indirect). More:


Food Additives and Child Health

Increasing scientific evidence suggests potential adverse effects on children’s health from synthetic chemicals used as food additives, both those deliberately added to food during processing (direct) and those used in materials that may contaminate food as part of packaging or manufacturing (indirect). More:

Treaty banning dangerous chemicals helped Arctic wildlife, study shows

30/08/2018 -

A new study shows that an international treaty has led to a decrease of some pollutants in Arctic wildlife. It also gives scientists a better picture of how many years of data they need to reliably detect trends in these levels. More:


Treaty banning dangerous chemicals helped Arctic wildlife, study shows

A new study shows that an international treaty has led to a decrease of some pollutants in Arctic wildlife. It also gives scientists a better picture of how many years of data they need to reliably detect trends in these levels. More:

DDT linked to an increase in autism risk in new study

16/08/2018 -

The discontinued pesticide DDT is linked to an increased risk of autism, according to a new study out of Columbia University Medical Center. The study, published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry, found that a mother's exposure to DDT increased the risk of her child developing autism spectrum disorder. More:


DDT linked to an increase in autism risk in new study

The discontinued pesticide DDT is linked to an increased risk of autism, according to a new study out of Columbia University Medical Center. The study, published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry, found that a mother's exposure to DDT increased the risk of her child developing autism spectrum disorder. More:

Environmental toxins are seen as posing risks during pregnancy

04/08/2018 -

Leading up to and during pregnancy, women are told to avoid alcohol and cigarettes, to make sure they get enough folate and omega-3 fatty acids, and to get adequate sleep and exercise. Most are told little or nothing about reducing their exposure to chemicals despite evidence suggesting that ingredients in plastics, vehicle exhaust and cosmetics additives can have profound impacts on babies’ health. More:


Environmental toxins are seen as posing risks during pregnancy

Leading up to and during pregnancy, women are told to avoid alcohol and cigarettes, to make sure they get enough folate and omega-3 fatty acids, and to get adequate sleep and exercise. Most are told little or nothing about reducing their exposure to chemicals despite evidence suggesting that ingredients in plastics, vehicle exhaust and cosmetics additives can have profound impacts on babies’ health. More:

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