POPs in the news

UN human rights experts express alarm over PFAS pollution in North Carolina

28/11/2023 -

A new investigation by human rights experts appointed by the United Nations has expressed alarm at evidence of pollution from a North Carolina PFAS manufacturing plant, describing it as “alleged human rights violations and abuses against residents”. More:

What to Know About PFAS PFAS Crisis in North Carolina Appeal to UN for Human Rights in North Carolina Citizens' Right to Know and Action

UN human rights experts express alarm over PFAS pollution in North Carolina

A new investigation by human rights experts appointed by the United Nations has expressed alarm at evidence of pollution from a North Carolina PFAS manufacturing plant, describing it as “alleged human rights violations and abuses against residents”. More:

What to Know About PFAS PFAS Crisis in North Carolina Appeal to UN for Human Rights in North Carolina Citizens' Right to Know and Action

North Atlantic orcas reveal the troubling persistence of toxic ocean pollutants

27/11/2023 -

With their shiny black tops and pure white undersides, the killer whales, or orcas, are the sleekest hunters in the ocean. But being apex predators comes with a great cost. Their bodies absorb the chemical pollutants that build up in the long chain of prey leading to their meals. Now, a recent study in Environmental Science & Technology has shown that what orcas choose to eat could affect their survival more than scientists thought. More:

Persistent Organic Pollutants POPs Transport and Boomerang Effect POPs Biomagnification in Marine Mammals POPs Impact on Killer Whales POPs Human Exposure and Impact POPs in Breast Milk

North Atlantic orcas reveal the troubling persistence of toxic ocean pollutants

With their shiny black tops and pure white undersides, the killer whales, or orcas, are the sleekest hunters in the ocean. But being apex predators comes with a great cost. Their bodies absorb the chemical pollutants that build up in the long chain of prey leading to their meals. Now, a recent study in Environmental Science & Technology has shown that what orcas choose to eat could affect their survival more than scientists thought. More:

Persistent Organic Pollutants POPs Transport and Boomerang Effect POPs Biomagnification in Marine Mammals POPs Impact on Killer Whales POPs Human Exposure and Impact POPs in Breast Milk

How to Minimize Indoor Air Pollution When Cooking at Home

23/11/2023 -

The sizzle of a burger hitting a hot pan. The delicate char on roasted potatoes. The caramel parfum of a slice of toasting bread. We associate the sounds and smells of cooking with tasty, nutritious meals — but cooking is also a major source of indoor pollutants. More:

Gas Stoves and Indoor Pollution Research Findings on Cooking Emissions Human Exposure and Health Effects The Fossil Fuel Industry and Gas Stoves Towards a Ban of Gas Stoves

How to Minimize Indoor Air Pollution When Cooking at Home

The sizzle of a burger hitting a hot pan. The delicate char on roasted potatoes. The caramel parfum of a slice of toasting bread. We associate the sounds and smells of cooking with tasty, nutritious meals — but cooking is also a major source of indoor pollutants. More:

Gas Stoves and Indoor Pollution Research Findings on Cooking Emissions Human Exposure and Health Effects The Fossil Fuel Industry and Gas Stoves Towards a Ban of Gas Stoves

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food contains toxic pesticides, US study finds

23/11/2023 -

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food products analyzed in a new US study were found to contain toxic pesticides, while none of the organic products sampled in the survey contained the chemicals. More:

Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables Pesticides Regulation

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food contains toxic pesticides, US study finds

Nearly 40% of conventional baby food products analyzed in a new US study were found to contain toxic pesticides, while none of the organic products sampled in the survey contained the chemicals. More:

Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables Pesticides Regulation

Glyphosate leaves its mark even in protected areas of Brazil’s Cerrado

22/11/2023 -

Breathing clean air in Brazil’s Cerrado grassland has become increasingly hard, according to a recent study by researchers in the central state of Goiás. It found a relationship between dying lichens and exposure to glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used against weeds. More:


Glyphosate leaves its mark even in protected areas of Brazil’s Cerrado

Breathing clean air in Brazil’s Cerrado grassland has become increasingly hard, according to a recent study by researchers in the central state of Goiás. It found a relationship between dying lichens and exposure to glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used against weeds. More:

Backlash forces EPA to pause toxic PFAS waste imports to US from Netherlands

22/11/2023 -

The federal US government has paused the importation of millions of pounds of toxic PFAS “forever chemical” waste from the Netherlands following intense backlash from residents near a North Carolina facility that would receive the substances. More:

GenX Transboundary Movement PFAS Health and Social Impact

Backlash forces EPA to pause toxic PFAS waste imports to US from Netherlands

The federal US government has paused the importation of millions of pounds of toxic PFAS “forever chemical” waste from the Netherlands following intense backlash from residents near a North Carolina facility that would receive the substances. More:

GenX Transboundary Movement PFAS Health and Social Impact

Syngenta paraquat secrets featured on ABC News

22/11/2023 -

The New Lede, in a co-publishing arrangement with The Guardian, first revealed a trove of internal Syngenta documents in October 2022 and followed up in subsequent stories, exposing years of corporate efforts to cover up evidence that paraquat can cause Parkinson’s disease. More:

Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease The Public Right to Know Liability

Syngenta paraquat secrets featured on ABC News

The New Lede, in a co-publishing arrangement with The Guardian, first revealed a trove of internal Syngenta documents in October 2022 and followed up in subsequent stories, exposing years of corporate efforts to cover up evidence that paraquat can cause Parkinson’s disease. More:

Paraquat and Parkinson's Disease The Public Right to Know Liability

7 holiday cleaning tips for a healthy home

21/11/2023 -

Tis the season of joy and celebration – but with all the cooking and entertaining, our homes can quickly become a mess. Many of us may feel inspired to engage in a bit of seasonal cleaning – decluttering and scrubbing our living spaces from top to bottom – before guests arrive. Yet keeping our homes spick and span during the festivities poses its own set of challenges. More:

Chemicals Contained in Cleaning Products and Kitchen Equipment VOCs in Indoor Environments Cleaning Products Exposure Impact Avoiding Exposure to Harmful Chemicals While Cleaning

7 holiday cleaning tips for a healthy home

Tis the season of joy and celebration – but with all the cooking and entertaining, our homes can quickly become a mess. Many of us may feel inspired to engage in a bit of seasonal cleaning – decluttering and scrubbing our living spaces from top to bottom – before guests arrive. Yet keeping our homes spick and span during the festivities poses its own set of challenges. More:

Chemicals Contained in Cleaning Products and Kitchen Equipment VOCs in Indoor Environments Cleaning Products Exposure Impact Avoiding Exposure to Harmful Chemicals While Cleaning

Millions in France warned not to eat eggs from backyard chickens due to forever chemical pollution

21/11/2023 -

A precautionary warning first came in February 2022 for certain areas of the region. This was then expanded to the whole region in May 2023 following a preliminary investigation. The results of that study were confirmed and released this week leading the authority to confirm its warning. More:

PFAS Features, Health Risks and Management PFAS Global Diffusion in the Environment PFAS Exposure, Impact and Communication PFAS Legal Action Restricting PFAS and Other Hazardous Chemicals

Millions in France warned not to eat eggs from backyard chickens due to forever chemical pollution

A precautionary warning first came in February 2022 for certain areas of the region. This was then expanded to the whole region in May 2023 following a preliminary investigation. The results of that study were confirmed and released this week leading the authority to confirm its warning. More:

PFAS Features, Health Risks and Management PFAS Global Diffusion in the Environment PFAS Exposure, Impact and Communication PFAS Legal Action Restricting PFAS and Other Hazardous Chemicals

Banning PFAS is the Commission still committed?

20/11/2023 -

To understand the laws of nature, scientists observe nature and derive their theory from their observations. To learn about the laws of the EU, one would be ill-advised to observe the European Commission and conclude from their actions. Fortunately, legal obligations can be read directly from the Official Journal. More:

PFAS Legislation and Concerns at European Level Critical Aspects of PFAS Policy in the European Commission PFAS Contamination and Human Exposure Across Europe

Banning PFAS is the Commission still committed?

To understand the laws of nature, scientists observe nature and derive their theory from their observations. To learn about the laws of the EU, one would be ill-advised to observe the European Commission and conclude from their actions. Fortunately, legal obligations can be read directly from the Official Journal. More:

PFAS Legislation and Concerns at European Level Critical Aspects of PFAS Policy in the European Commission PFAS Contamination and Human Exposure Across Europe

‘New asbestos’ warning to chemical sector from investors with $10 trillion in assets

15/11/2023 -

PFAS chemicals are ‘the new asbestos’ for the chemical sector and firms should follow 3M’s lead and quit production, a group of over 50 institutional investors and their representatives warned today. More:

The Precautionary Principle - Lessons and Failures PFAS Finantial Risks PFAS Lawsuits and Settlements

‘New asbestos’ warning to chemical sector from investors with $10 trillion in assets

PFAS chemicals are ‘the new asbestos’ for the chemical sector and firms should follow 3M’s lead and quit production, a group of over 50 institutional investors and their representatives warned today. More:

The Precautionary Principle - Lessons and Failures PFAS Finantial Risks PFAS Lawsuits and Settlements

Common pesticides in food reducing sperm count worldwide, study says

15/11/2023 -

Pesticides used in our homes, gardens and lawns and sprayed on foods we eat are contributing to a dramatic decline in sperm count among men worldwide, according to a new analysis of studies over the last 50 years. More:

Pesticides and Lower Sperm Concentration Pesticides in Food

Common pesticides in food reducing sperm count worldwide, study says

Pesticides used in our homes, gardens and lawns and sprayed on foods we eat are contributing to a dramatic decline in sperm count among men worldwide, according to a new analysis of studies over the last 50 years. More:

Pesticides and Lower Sperm Concentration Pesticides in Food

ChemScore 2023: Key findings

15/11/2023 -

ChemScore 2023 reveals that the world’s biggest listed chemical firms by revenue continue to rely on the production of dangerous chemicals instead of safer alternatives, are persistently secretive about their operations and are making only slow progress in boosting the sustainability of their operations. More:


ChemScore 2023: Key findings

ChemScore 2023 reveals that the world’s biggest listed chemical firms by revenue continue to rely on the production of dangerous chemicals instead of safer alternatives, are persistently secretive about their operations and are making only slow progress in boosting the sustainability of their operations. More:

Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few seconds

15/11/2023 -

House fires are many people’s worst nightmare. But chemicals created decades ago to protect people’s homes from out of control flames opened our front doors to a new menace: toxic chemicals. Ones that we are consistently exposed to in our homes, offices and vehicles. More:

POPs in Waste Stream Flame Retardants in Waste Flame Retardants in Waste: Detection Technologies Flame Retardants: Human Exposure and Impact EU Regulation on POPs and Flame Retardants

Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few seconds

House fires are many people’s worst nightmare. But chemicals created decades ago to protect people’s homes from out of control flames opened our front doors to a new menace: toxic chemicals. Ones that we are consistently exposed to in our homes, offices and vehicles. More:

POPs in Waste Stream Flame Retardants in Waste Flame Retardants in Waste: Detection Technologies Flame Retardants: Human Exposure and Impact EU Regulation on POPs and Flame Retardants

PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are getting into ocean ecosystems, where dolphins, fish and manatees dine – we traced their origins

14/11/2023 -

PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that have been raising health concerns across the country, are not just a problem in drinking water. As these chemicals leach out of failing septic systems and landfills and wash off airport runways and farm fields, they can end up in streams that ultimately discharge into ocean ecosystems where fish, dolphins, manatees, sharks and other marine species live. More:

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) PFAS in Wastewater, Surface and Drinking Water PFAS in Oceans and Coastal Areas PFAS and PCBs in Wildlife PFAS Bioindicators and Biomarkers PFAS in Biomagnification and Human Exposure PFAS Human Health Impact Laboratory Study on Next-generation PFAS

PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are getting into ocean ecosystems, where dolphins, fish and manatees dine – we traced their origins

PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that have been raising health concerns across the country, are not just a problem in drinking water. As these chemicals leach out of failing septic systems and landfills and wash off airport runways and farm fields, they can end up in streams that ultimately discharge into ocean ecosystems where fish, dolphins, manatees, sharks and other marine species live. More:

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) PFAS in Wastewater, Surface and Drinking Water PFAS in Oceans and Coastal Areas PFAS and PCBs in Wildlife PFAS Bioindicators and Biomarkers PFAS in Biomagnification and Human Exposure PFAS Human Health Impact Laboratory Study on Next-generation PFAS

Forever Chemicals’ Toxic Legacy at Chicago’s Airports

11/11/2023 -

Firefighting foam contaminated groundwater beneath O’Hare and Midway airports with PFAS chemicals, military investigators have found. It’s unclear how far it has spread. More:

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances PFAS in Drinking Water and Cattle Across the US PFAS in Clothes and Personal Care Products Human Health Effects on Military Personnel Taking Action Against PFAS Regulation and Liability Phasing Out PFAS in Clothing

Forever Chemicals’ Toxic Legacy at Chicago’s Airports

Firefighting foam contaminated groundwater beneath O’Hare and Midway airports with PFAS chemicals, military investigators have found. It’s unclear how far it has spread. More:

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances PFAS in Drinking Water and Cattle Across the US PFAS in Clothes and Personal Care Products Human Health Effects on Military Personnel Taking Action Against PFAS Regulation and Liability Phasing Out PFAS in Clothing

The Czechs were Selling the Most Toxic Toy in the World! But Toxic Substances from Plastics are Not Avoided Anywhere

09/11/2023 -

When plastics from e-waste are recycled, toxic contaminants from plastics are transferred to new products made from the recycled material, invisibly endangering even children. This is a finding of a new study that examines the properties of toys and various consumer goods made from e-waste around the globe. More:

Hazardous Chemicals in Toys and Consumer Products Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA): Toxicologycal Studies Regulation: Flame Retardants in Consumer Products

The Czechs were Selling the Most Toxic Toy in the World! But Toxic Substances from Plastics are Not Avoided Anywhere

When plastics from e-waste are recycled, toxic contaminants from plastics are transferred to new products made from the recycled material, invisibly endangering even children. This is a finding of a new study that examines the properties of toys and various consumer goods made from e-waste around the globe. More:

Hazardous Chemicals in Toys and Consumer Products Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA): Toxicologycal Studies Regulation: Flame Retardants in Consumer Products

Here's how flame retardants are harming wildlife, humans in Canada

06/11/2023 -

Despite some flame retardant chemicals being banned in Canada many are found in wildlife across the country including species that are endangered. More:

Flame Retardants and Wildlife POPs Use, Exposure and Impact on Humans and Wildlife POPs Exposure and Impact on Humans and Marine Wildlife POPs Exposure and Impact on Polar Bears POPs Impact on Amphibians POPs in the Air: Indoor & Outdoor Detection Reducing POPs Use

Here's how flame retardants are harming wildlife, humans in Canada

Despite some flame retardant chemicals being banned in Canada many are found in wildlife across the country including species that are endangered. More:

Flame Retardants and Wildlife POPs Use, Exposure and Impact on Humans and Wildlife POPs Exposure and Impact on Humans and Marine Wildlife POPs Exposure and Impact on Polar Bears POPs Impact on Amphibians POPs in the Air: Indoor & Outdoor Detection Reducing POPs Use

Tire industry scrambles to replace 60-year-old chemical hazardous to salmon: ‘One of the biggest environmental issues that the world hasn’t known about’

05/11/2023 -

U.S. regulators say they will review the use of a chemical found in almost every tire after a petition from West Coast Native American tribes that want it banned because it kills salmon as they return from the ocean to their natal streams to spawn. More:

Detection of Organic Contaminants Linked to Coho Salmon Mortality

Tire industry scrambles to replace 60-year-old chemical hazardous to salmon: ‘One of the biggest environmental issues that the world hasn’t known about’

U.S. regulators say they will review the use of a chemical found in almost every tire after a petition from West Coast Native American tribes that want it banned because it kills salmon as they return from the ocean to their natal streams to spawn. More:

Detection of Organic Contaminants Linked to Coho Salmon Mortality

What You Need To Know About Chlorpyrifos

02/11/2023 -

For half a century, staple food crops in the United States — such as corn, wheat, apples and citrus — have been sprayed with chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide that can permanently damage the developing brains of children, causing reduced IQ, loss of working memory, and attention deficit disorders. More:

Organophosphate Pesticides: Chlorpyrifos Human Health Risk Assessment and Impact Alternatives to Pesticides Towards Chlorpyriphos Regulation

What You Need To Know About Chlorpyrifos

For half a century, staple food crops in the United States — such as corn, wheat, apples and citrus — have been sprayed with chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide that can permanently damage the developing brains of children, causing reduced IQ, loss of working memory, and attention deficit disorders. More:

Organophosphate Pesticides: Chlorpyrifos Human Health Risk Assessment and Impact Alternatives to Pesticides Towards Chlorpyriphos Regulation
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