Scaling Mountains to Ban Toxic Chemicals in Pajamas
September 24, 2019
Scientist and adventurer Arlene Blum discusses her research on cancer-causing chemicals in kid’s pajamas in the 70s and chemical safety today.…
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The Woman Who Got Bromine Out of Kids’ Pajamas Fears It’s Coming Back
August 27, 2019
Among the technical and sometimes arcane-seeming debates at this year’s meeting of the International Code Council was one that grew surprisingly emotional: whether building codes should allow the use of polystyrene insulation not treated with flame retardant in foundations, below a 3.5-inch concrete slab. At stake was a larger argument about whether some volatile elements, including bromine, are safer for human health if they’re part of longer chains of molecules. …
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The People’s Pharmacy Interview with Arlene Blum
August 21, 2019
Arlene was interviewed by Joe and Terry Graedon on the dangerous substances added to everyday products. The podcast, Show 1177: How You Can Avoid Toxins in Your Home, is available here.…
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PFAS Chemicals in Food: Expert QA
August 8, 2019
Millions of people have eaten out of them: Molded fiber bowls, the popular food containers from restaurants like Chipotle and Sweetgreen.
They are supposed to be compostable and environmentally friendly, but some public health experts say the chemicals that allow these bowls to hold hot, wet, and greasy foods without falling apart are toxic to both the environment and you.…
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“Forever Chemical” Replacements on the Rise in the Great Lakes
July 22, 2019
As industry phases out certain toxic PFAS chemicals, the compounds are decreasing in and around the Great Lakes, but replacement chemicals—which some argue also pose serious health concerns—are increasing, according to new research from Canada.…
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The Toxic Water Crisis That 2020 Democrats Are Still Figuring Out How To Talk About
June 4, 2019
“As people discover contamination of their drinking water, they become very concerned and would support those who want to solve the problems,” said Arlene Blum, executive director of the California-based Green Science Policy Institute. “The question is, will people vote because of PFAS?”…
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National Academies Backs Class-based OFR Assessments in US
April 8, 2019
A National Academies report has backed a class-based approach as the “only possible practical” one for addressing organohalogen flame retardants.…
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Cancer is Killing Firefighters: Toxics Found in Burning Materials
April 8, 2019
Cancer is now responsible for more than 60% of job-related deaths among firefighters in the U.S. Now, fire departments across the nation are looking for ways to make one of the country’s riskiest occupations safer. …
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