Toxic Chemicals – Page 2 – Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow

CNN: USGS study finds 45% of US drinking water has PFAS

August 16, 2023

On July 6, 2023, CNN reported on a recent US Geological (USGS) Survey study that found almost half of tap water in the United States is contaminated by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). USGS scientists indicated that the study might actually underestimate the nation’s water contamination problem, because the agency analyzed water for just 32 of the over 12,000 known PFAS. The USGS study is the most comprehensive analysis to date of PFAS in the nation’s water supply. From 2016-2021, USGS…

Possible PFAS settlements of over 10 billion may not be enough, say 22 AGs

June 9, 2023

Laura Spark

PFAS, Toxic Chemicals, Uncategorized

Across the county, states and municipalities are suing major manufacturers of PFAS and PFAS-containing firefighting foam. On June 3, 2023, Bloomberg Law reported that 3M company had reached a tentative settlement of $10 billion to settle legal claims from a multi-district case. Separately, Dupont de Nemours Inc., Chemours Company and Corteva Inc announced a proposed $1.19 billion settlement. While the proposed settlements would be the largest ever in a case against PFAS manufacturers, the funds may not be enough to…

New York Times: Three “Forever Chemicals” Manufacturers Settle Public Water Lawsuits

June 9, 2023

Laura Spark

PFAS, Toxic Chemicals

On June 2, 2023, the New York Times reported that Chemours, DuPont and Corteva had tentatively reached an agreement to pay $1.9 billion to settle claims agains the companies for contaminating drinking water. The monies would be put into clean up fund Separately, Bloomberg News also reported on Friday that 3M had a tentative settlement of over $10 billion with states and cities that have sued the company for its role in contaminating water. Both of these settlements must be…

WBUR: “Report by BC researchers calls for plastic regulation to protect people’s health”

March 27, 2023

Laura Spark

Toxic Chemicals, Uncategorized

On March 21, 2023 WBUR reported on a major new report by the Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Formed by the United Nations, the Commission states that plastics harm human health during production, use, and disposal. Single-use plastics make up 1/3 of plastics in use today. WBUR quotes Dr. Philip Landrigan of Boston College, Commission Chair, who said: “I’m a pediatrician, and I trained at Boston Children’s [Hospital], and I’ve always thought that we have a responsibility to…

Major Mount Sinai study links PFAS to reduced fertility

March 27, 2023

Laura Spark

PFAS, Toxic Chemicals

Researchers at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital have found that exposure to PFAS reduces female fertility by 30-40%, significantly lessening the chances of pregnancy and birth among women of child-bearing age. Mount Sinai study was published in Science of the Toal Environment and showed a link between higher blood concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and reduced fertility. See full study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36801327/Press release here : https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2023/exposure-to-chemicals-found-in-everyday-products-is-linked-to-significantly-reduced-fertility

Propublica: “Why the U.S. is losing the fight to ban toxic chemicals”

December 15, 2022

Laura Spark

Flame Retardants, PFAS, Toxic Chemicals, Uncategorized

Why the U.S. is losing the fight to ban toxic chemicals On December 14, 2022, expert environmental reporters at ProPublica wrote this excellent analysis on the state of chemical regulation in the United States. This is a must-read article for anyone who cares about public health! Read full story at: https://www.propublica.org/article/toxic-chemicals-epa-regulation-failures

Sierra Club: Keep PFAS out of your garden

May 27, 2021

Laura Spark

PFAS, Toxic Chemicals

In May 21, 2021, Sierra Club and the Ecology Center tested fertilizer products made from sewage sludge, and found that all contained toxic PFAS, despite several brands being marketed as “eco” or “natural.” Read the report at: https://www.sierraclub.org/sludge-garden-toxic-pfas-home-fertilizers-made-sewage-sludge

The Infuriating Case of Toxic Chemicals in Breast Milk

May 27, 2021

Laura Spark

PFAS, Toxic Chemicals, Uncategorized

Sonya Lunder is a scientist and toxics advisor for Sierra Club. She is also a mother. Read her terrific Ms Magazine editorial, on her reaction to a recent studying finding PFAS in the breast milk of 100% of breastfeeding mothers (50 mothers tested in Seattle). The Infuriating Case of Toxic Chemicals in Breast Milk

TJX announces new chemical policy

February 9, 2021

Laura Spark

Mind the Store, Toxic Chemicals

TJX just announced a new chemical policy. The store will eliminate bisphenols from cash register receipts and ensure that all its compostable foodware in its corporate cafeterias is PFAS-free. They are engaging chemical policy experts to help them identify ways to get toxic chemicals out of the products they sell. We applaud TJX for moving forward on safety! https://iehn.org/resources/entry/tjx-announces-new-restrictions-on-toxic-chemicals