Federal agents in Portland used toxic and potentially deadly smoke grenades more than two dozen times over the summer as they attempted to disperse demonstrators protesting for social and racial justice.
Category: Environmental Chemicals
The Problem with Lead
Problems with lead exposure in the U.S. are far more pervasive and far closer to home than many might think–namely, in the food we eat (leaching from food packaging containers), in cosmetics like lipstick, and lead in bottled water bought at the supermarket. But the other problem with lead–why it still exists in our food, cosmetics and water–is a political one. A group of organizations has recently sent a formal petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to revise its outdated standards for lead in food to better protect the public.
Lung Disease from Air Pollution Chemicals: Increased Risk for Diabetics
The results of new research indicate that people with prediabetes or diabetes who live in ozone-polluted areas may have an increased risk for irreversible interstitial lung disease with a high mortality rate.
Covid Vaccine Adversely Affected by PFAS Forever Chemicals? CDC Investigates
Because of the link between PFAS chemical exposure and diminished effectiveness of some vaccines, the U.S. CDC is examining whether exposure to the “forever chemicals” PFAS could affect the potential effectiveness and duration of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Amazon Does Partial Ban of Toxic Food Packaging Chemicals
While they still have a long way to go in cleaning up the products they offer, in response to a recent class action lawsuit, Amazon has announced that it will ban certain chemicals and plastics in food packaging used for one of its product lines.
Toxins, Gut Microbiome and Kids: New Study Scratches Surface of Possible Big Link
Researchers have completed the most comprehensive study to date on how a class of persistent toxins called semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are associated with the gut microbiome in human children.
Tire Chemical Killing Salmon in Puget Sound
Scientists investigating the phenomenon of salmon die-off in Puget Sound have discovered that a vast chemical soup is threatening aquatic life, and one toxic chemical in particular is responsible for wiping out the creatures.
Toxic Chemicals Leach from Plastic, Harm Sea Creatures
A new scientific study indicates that plastics in the ocean can release toxic chemicals that cause deformities in sea creatures.
PFAS Chemicals Banned from Fast Food Packaging in New York
New York has now banned the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) in food packaging.
Highly Toxic Site Planned for New School and Low-Income Housing
A low-income housing development plus a school will be built on a toxic waste site in the area along the Gowanus Canal in New York City.