Chemical Watch Blog

Elevated Levels of Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Nail Salons: Study

A new study has replicated previous findings demonstrating there are toxic levels of carcinogenic chemicals in nail salons and in some cases the toxic levels can be higher than those found in auto garages and oil refineries. The study examined levels of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside the air of nail salons. More specifically, the chemicals that are commonly found in nail products (benzene, formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, xylene and toulene) were measured inside of several nail salons. The study then went a step further and linked the presence of toxic chemicals in salons with self-reported adverse health symptoms of salon workers.

Chemicals in Sunscreen Seep into Your Bloodstream: FDA Study

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just published the results of a pilot study conducted by FDA scientists in the Journal of American Medical Association’s JAMA Network that demonstrated four chemicals commonly used in commercial sunscreens seep into the bloodstream after just one day of use.

What Additives are in the Beyond Meat Veggie Burger?

Beyond Meat products is a highly processed food and as such includes food additives that may be problematic for some consumers. This article takes at look at what those food additives are and informs consumers about the adverse reactions that have been linked to some of them in scientific studies, medical studies, consumer reports and clinical trials. Of special interest is the high level of salts present in this highly processed food product.

Maine becomes first US state to ban Styrofoam

Styrofoam containers are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Scientific research has demonstrated that the toxic chemicals (Benzene and Styrene) in Styrofoam (polystyrene) leach into our food (this is especially true with hot drinks and foods and red wine) where they act as neurotoxins adversely affecting the brain and nervous system. Additionally, Styrofoam cannot be recycled and is accumulating in landfills where it breaks down leaving its toxic chemicals to harm wildlife, marine life and the environment.

Now one state has decided to take action to reduce the amount of Styrofoam on the planet. Maine has just become the first U.S. state to officially ban Styrofoam containers outright.

Big Oil vs the Little Guy: Gasland Part 2 Documentary on HBO

Fracking has lead to tap water so contaminated it could be set on fire right out of the tap, chronically ill residents with similar symptoms in drilling areas across the country, and huge pools of toxic waste that kill livestock and vegetation. In this latest must-see documentary on the dangers of fracking, filmmaker Josh Fox leads viewers through a compelling journey of how the U.S. corporate-owned government is responding to wide swaths of natural landscapes that have been decimated, serious health outcomes resulting from toxic chemicals in the water, and ruined lives, all in the name of corporate greed and misguided political choices to sustain it.

Common Food Additive Propionate may be Harming Your Metabolism

A new study on the commonly used food additive, Propionate (frequently listed on food ingredients labels as ‘calcium propionate’) triggered an increased resistance to insulin in study participants; chronic insulin resistance is known to help contribute to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders like obesity.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, Phthalates, Flame Retardants Detected in Wristband Study

Scientists in charge of a novel wristband study that spanned three continents detected chemical exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), flame retardants and phthalates in adults and children. Previous studies have indicated the potential for adverse health-related outcomes linked with these chemicals.