By Sydney Nguyen Peer-Reviewed Study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.123027 News Article: Scientists uncover troubling factor linked to childhood cancer: 'It's hard to stay on top of something that changes so fast' Background Pesticides have long been used to control insects, weeds, fungi, and other factors that may threaten crop production. The prominent usage of pesticides incidentally leads to the increased possibility of direct and indirect exposure. This could pertain to residues that remain on food, leaching into water supplies, or accumulation in the environment. A significant issue associated with pesticides is bioaccumulation in which pesticides could build up in the body over time leading to severe health problems. 1 Long-term exposure to pesticides have been found to be linked to several chronic diseases, birth defects, and cancers. 2 In particular, neuroblastomas, accounting for 15% of pediatric cancer-related deaths in the United State...
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A study found toxic metals in popular tampon brands
By Elena Walter Peer-Reviewed Study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108849 News Article: https://www.npr.org/2024/07/11/nx-s1-5036484/tampons-heavy-metals-study Background Heavy toxic metals, such as lead, mercury, or arsenic, are able to cause poisoning of varying degrees, depending on the metal itself, the dosage, and how the metals got into the body. Metals can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption. (1) Some metals have safe levels of dosage, such as copper, which is present in all cells for cellular respiration and is used in certain birth control products, but others, such as lead, have no safe dosage. (2, 5) Certain metals, such as zinc or cobalt, in certain circumstances may even be antibacterial. (4) Tampons are used by an estimated 52-86% of menstruating adults in the US, and one person may use roughly 7,400 tampons total throughout their life to manage their periods, assuming they...
PFAS detected in US beers in new study, raising safety concerns Frozan Tahiry News Article Link Journal Article Link Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are non-aromatic organic compounds in which the hydrogen atoms have been either completely (perfluorinated) or partially (polyfluorinated) replaced by fluorine atom. 1 These substances are entirely anthropogenic and do not occur naturally. Their synthesis has been widespread since the 1940s. 1 There are more than 1,400 individual types of PFAS, each with diverse properties. 2 PFAS are used in many areas of modern life, including food packaging, water- and stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics and personal care products, electronics, lubricants, non-stick cookware, medical devices, and fire-suppressing foams. 3 Most PFAS are highly resistant to decomposition and degradation under natural conditions, earning them the nickname “Forever Chemicals”. 4 Due to their widespread ...
About 15% of world’s cropland polluted with toxic metals, say researchers
By: Evan Kudla Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: https://www-science-org.proxy.lib.umich.edu/doi/10.1126/science.adr5214 News Article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/17/about-15-world-cropland-polluted-toxic-metals-say-researchers Background Information The quality of soil is of vital importance, with it providing “the basis for nearly 95% of food consumed by human beings,” and as development continues to improves and population keeps growing, food production will need to increase between 35 to 56% by 2050 (2). While many factors are a threat to soil resources globally, including soil erosion, fertilizer and pesticide overuse, and pollution from industry, soil pollution from toxic metals is another factor that can lead to decreased crop yields and unsafe food (3).These toxic metals are non-degradable, which can allow them to accumulate in the soil over the span of many years (4). Toxic metals in the soil come from both geogen...
Heavy metal exposure could increase cardiovascular disease risk, study finds
By Amy Johnson News Article: https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/health/heavy-metal-exposure-cardiovascular-disease-wellness Peer Reviewed Article: https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.07.020 Background Heavy metal exposure can have serious consequences on many aspects of a person's health (1) . People can be exposed to these metals in many different ways like through smoking and other environmental sources (2). Environmental sources have been a cause for particular concern in recent years. Industries that use metals like smelting can contribute to metals in the environment. Agriculture and landfills can also be sources of metals. These metals can build up in soil and water which can lead to them entering the food chain and people becoming exposed to them (3). Peer Reviewed Article In recent years there has been increasing evidence of a link between environmental contaminants like metals and cardiovascular disease. One ...