Press Releases
Study: Toxicity Comes Standard
June 16, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has drawn attention to stark health disparities in our communities. Though many factors contribute to high disease burdens for poor people and people of color, older furniture—which is often passed to lower income households—is likely to contain flame retardants that can cause suppressed immune responses, reproductive problems, or cancer.
Study Finds Another Reason to Wash Hands: Flame Retardants
June 9, 2020
Harmful flame retardants may be lurking on your hands and cell phone, according to a peer-reviewed study published today in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
Study: PFAS in Carpets a Major Exposure Source for Children
April 29, 2020
Children can be exposed to a toxic medley of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) from carpets, according to a peer-reviewed study published today in Chemosphere.
Communities Petition EPA to Regulate Hazardous PFAS Chemicals
January 15, 2020
How are an indigenous tribal leader from an Arctic community, a North Carolina Sunday School teacher, a Michigan attorney, a Colorado community leader, and two suburban mothers from outside of Philadelphia united in an effort that could impact the drinking water and health of everyone in the U.S.?
Scientists Celebrate PFAS Victories in NDAA
December 17, 2019
The U.S. Senate today approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains groundbreaking provisions to reduce harm from the “forever chemicals” PFAS that are contaminating the drinking water of millions of Americans.
Sustainable Sand Gives Pollution a One-Two Punch into Possibly Harmful Products
December 11, 2019
Baseball fans may be excited to have combination pitcher/slugger Shohei Ohtani on the Los Angeles Angels, but new research suggests that he isn’t the only dual threat that could help out Southern California.
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.