Press Releases
New Flame Retardants, Old Problems: Replacement Flame Retardants Present Serious Risks
October 22, 2019
New flame retardants escaping from our TVs, other electrical and electronic products, and children’s car seats are just as toxic as the flame retardants they’re intended to replace, according to a peer-reviewed study published today in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
Bigger Not Always Better for Toxic Chemicals: Study finds “Green” Flame Retardant Breaks Down into Possibly Harmful Products
January 9, 2019
It’s not easy being green. Kermit the Frog probably didn’t have chemistry in mind when he sang that line, but according to researchers from Germany, the phrase rings true for a purportedly “green” flame retardant.
Toxic Chemicals Calling: Cell Phones as a Source of Flame Retardant Exposure
December 4, 2018
Cell phones — much has been written about the detrimental effects of these devices on our attention spans, our stress levels, and our dinner table conversations.
Newly-Discovered Pollutant Haunting Homes - Scientists Find New Member of Toxic Chemical Family Everywhere They Look
October 30, 2018
Ghosts and phantoms may not be the only invisible threats lurking in our neighborhoods this Halloween. Researchers at Indiana University have discovered a previously unidentified, potentially toxic chemical in air, water, and homes around the Great Lakes region.
Decades-Long Cover Up Led to Current Widespread Contamination - Senate Poised to Make Major Rule Change
August 7, 2018
Industrial giant 3M waited decades to reveal troubling information about the toxicity of its chemicals PFOA and PFOS, according to an analysis published last week in Environmental Health.
Drinking Water of Millions Contaminated by Fluorinated Chemicals: Scientists Call for Action
November 14, 2017
More than six million Americans are drinking water polluted with highly fluorinated chemicals.
Dramatic Shift in Federal Policy: Pregnant Women & Children Warned Against Products with Toxic Flame Retardants
September 27, 2017
Today the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a landmark guidance in the Federal Registry recommending that consumers, especially those who are pregnant or with young children, obtain assurances from retailers that children’s products, furniture, mattresses, and electronics cases do not contain any chemical in the class of organohalogen flame retardants.
Landmark Decision on Household Products with Toxic Flame Retardants Protects Children from Harmful Chemicals
September 20, 2017
Today, in a precedent-setting decision, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has granted a petition to ban children’s products, furniture, mattresses, and electronics cases that contain any member of the harmful chemical class of organohalogen flame retardants.
Buyer Beware: Antimicrobial Products Can Do More Harm Than Good
June 20, 2017
Are you buying antimicrobial or antibacterial soaps? According to over 200 scientists and medical professionals, you may want to save your money. A consensus statement published today in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives concludes that common antimicrobial products do not provide health benefits and cause health and environmental harm. The statement also calls for greater caution in using antimicrobial chemicals in everyday products.…
Newly discovered fluorinated chemicals more difficult to filter from water
May 30, 2017
A peer-reviewed study released today documents that newly discovered highly fluorinated chemicals are likely to be more difficult to remove from drinking water by activated carbon filtration systems.
Highly Fluorinated Chemicals Found in All Body Organs Tested - Supposedly “Safer” Substitute Compounds Found at Highest Levels
April 4, 2017
Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Notre Dame report in a paper (link) published online today in Environmental Science and Technology Letters that, using a new radiolabeling technique, they found that highly fluorinated chemicals accumulate in body organs and tissues.
The Never-Ending Story: Chemicals that Outlive – and Harm – Us
February 22, 2017
Chemical manufacturers have agreed to pay $670 million in damages to people with cancer and other health harm from exposure to a recently phased-out highly fluorinated chemical.