Chemical Watch Blog

More Pesticides Detected in Honey

You may recall that scientific testing has previously detected glyphosate, the primary active ingredient in RoundUp weedkiller, in honey.  Now, new testing methods have revealed yet another commonly used insecticide present in honey: Pyrethroids.  Neurotoxic pyrethroids are one of two main groups of pesticides that contribute to colony collapse disorder in bees.

Glyphosate in Processed Food and Your Gut Microbiota

Glyphosate, the primary ingredient in RoundUp weed killer, continues to be widely used on food crops and as a result, the residue is present in many processed foods–especially those that contain corn, canola and soybean products.  What does it mean for the human body to ingest glyphosate residue on a daily basis?  Scientists now have the initial part of the answer and it concerns our gut microbiome.

Brain Shrinkage, Memory Problems, Depression Linked to Air Pollution Chemicals

Two separate scientific studies have revealed some sobering news about the link between air pollution chemicals and serious brain harm.  In the first study, higher exposures to air pollution chemicals were associated with increased depressive symptoms and subsequent memory decline. In the second study, people who had higher levels of air pollution exposure had more brain shrinkage–the kind of shrinkage commonly seen in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Neurotoxic Flea Treatment for Pets Contaminating Water

Scientists have recently discovered that pesticides commonly used as flea treatments for pets are contaminating rivers. The new research reveals widespread contamination, with two neurotoxic pesticides found in concentrations that far exceed accepted safe limits.  More specifically, researchers have found widespread contamination of rivers with two neurotoxic pesticides commonly used in veterinary flea products: fipronil and the neonicotinoid imidacloprid. 

Household Chemicals PFAS and Phthalates Alter Gut Microbiome: Study

In another new study scientists have again found that chemicals commonly found in our food and home environment alter our gut microbiome.  This is a critical confirmation of the findings found previously because gut microbiome–the community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract–has recently come under close scrutiny by the medical science community because several serious health conditions have been suspected to be linked to an imbalance in gut microbiome. 

Our Most Toxic Chemical: Who is Doing What about PFAS?

What are the Effects of PFAS Chemical?   Because of their toxicity at extremely low concentrations, there are risks from PFAS bioaccumulation.  In addition to their presence in the human body–where, among other serious effects, they are linked with increased rates of some types of cancer, hormonal disruption, and immune responses–PFAS chemicals (a class of over 3000 compounds) are released into the environment, transported through groundwater, river, and soils, and can only be partially remediated. Scientists will be
meeting at the Geological Society of America’s 2020 Annual Meeting to learn more about this highly toxic chemical and discuss the need for more research.