Chemical Watch Blog

Toxic Chemicals from Food, Food Packaging and Personal Products Discovered in Dolphins, Whales

The results of a new study revealed concentrations of atrazine (an herbicide), DEP (an endocrine disrupting chemical from the phthalate family found in our plastics), NPE ( a chemical commonly used in processed food packaging) and endocrine-disrupting triclosan* (an antibacterial/antifungal chemical used as a pesticide and found in consumer products such as toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, some versions of soaps including dish-washing liquids and laundry detergents, hand creams and toys) in the bodies of stranded whales and dolphins.

Mobile Phone Light Linked with Colon Cancer: Are Toxins in LED Lights to Blame?

Scientists conducting a new research study have just released some disturbing results: Exposure to mobile phone light at night raises risk of colon (bowel) cancer.  The study revealed that LED “blue light” emitted by our electronic devices (that is, exposure to artificial light-at-night (ALAN) and particularly blue light spectrum) can worsen health problems–including increasing the risk for colon cancer by as much as 60 percent.

Preservatives, Dyes in Medication may be Harmful to Health: Study

Both prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications frequently contain the same unwanted additives (including preservatives, antimicrobials, dyes) that consumers are intentionally avoiding in their food.  These additives are commonly listed as “inactive” on the drug label, but new scientific studies demonstrate that several additives are not inert and may be potentially harmful.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Health Threat Grows

After reviewing hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies researches have concluded that a growing number of chemicals in pesticides, flame retardants, and certain plastics have been linked to widespread health problems including infertility, diabetes, and impaired brain development.  Exposure to certain chemicals found in industrial and household goods has also been linked in new studies to obesity; to endometriosis, a painful and abnormal growth of tissue on the outside of the womb; and to polycystic ovary syndrome, a significant cause of infertility.

Mercury Pollution Uncovered in US National Parks

In a new scientific study spearheaded by a citizen science program, dragonflies revealed mercury pollution levels across US national parks.  The local research project has spurred the first nationwide survey of the toxic metal.  Given that the parks studied stretch across the entire U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, the findings reflect levels of mercury throughout the country.

Toxic Meds Need to Stop, say scientists

A team of scientists have begun alerting healthcare providers of the dangers of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in numerous commonly prescribed medications and medical supplies.  Most healthcare providers, the scientists confirmed, are completely unaware of the toxic chemicals (frequently added as “inactive ingredients” for color or consistency) contained in prescribed and OTC medicines.

Colon, Gut Microbiota Problems Linked with Common Food Additive

The commonly used food additive titanium dioxide–a nanoparticle (E171)–has once again been linked with serious health outcomes in yet another scientific study.   Like the studies before it, the current study found that the food additive titanium dioxide holds the potential to do some real harm to the colon and gut microbiota, and to disrupt liver functioning. 

Toxic Chemical in Drinking Water and Thyroid Problems: Bigger Threat than Previously Believed

Perchlorate, a chemical compound used in rocket fuels, fireworks, fertilizers, food packaging and many other industrial materials, seeps into  groundwater–the very source of our drinking water. Now scientists have discovered perchlorate presents far more of a threat to our thyroids than previously believed. Unfortunately, the U.S. government has just decided not to regulate the amount of this toxic chemical in our drinking water.