Prenatal exposure to PFAS and PBDE chemicals linked to greater risk of preterm birth

~ PRHE

Prematurity is the second leading cause of death among infants in the United States and exposure to PFAS and PBDEs (chemicals in non-stick pans, water-repellent fabric, and furniture foam) during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. But while there is extensive research on some of these chemicals, the effects of other, … Continue reading Prenatal exposure to PFAS and PBDE chemicals linked to greater risk of preterm birth

2021 Big Visions, Bigger Accomplishments

~ PRHE

Despite year two of the pandemic, PRHE and the EaRTH Center achieved some major milestones in our research, policy work, education, and communications. PRHE’s Navigation Guide establishes largest global burden of occupational disease In May 2021, the World Health Organization / International Labour Organization (WHO/ILO) Joint Estimates on the global health burden of working long … Continue reading 2021 Big Visions, Bigger Accomplishments

National Academies of Sciences: EPA should follow IRIS lead

~ Nick Chartres

Last week, the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) said EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessments "can serve as a model for other EPA programs that are implementing systematic review methods.” We commend the IRIS program and urge EPA to use the IRIS method across every office that conducts chemical evaluations so that we can … Continue reading National Academies of Sciences: EPA should follow IRIS lead

Unlocking environmental mysteries to cancer and endometriosis

~ PRHE

How do environmental chemicals and pollutants increase cancer risk for pregnant women and their children? And what are the environmental causes of endometriosis? We are proud to announce that PRHE’s scientists are part of two new major initiatives that hope to unlock mysteries to cancer and endometriosis. UCSF Discovering cancer Risks from Environmental contaminants And … Continue reading Unlocking environmental mysteries to cancer and endometriosis

Holding EPA accountable for its scientific methods

~ PRHE

House Committee on Science, Space & Technology Chair Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson sent a letter to EPA chief Michael Regan asking the Agency when it will update its systematic review methodology – the method used to evaluate chemicals risks - under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). PRHE has been working to ensure EPA uses validated systematic review … Continue reading Holding EPA accountable for its scientific methods

World’s OBGYNs say climate crisis threatens human reproduction and urge action on fossil fuels

~ PRHE

The climate crisis has become a public health emergency that disproportionately affects pregnant people, children, those from disadvantaged and marginalised communities, and people of colour, including Black, Brown and Indigenous people. In a special article published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, leading obstetricians and gynaecologists (OBGYNs) highlight the impact of the climate … Continue reading World’s OBGYNs say climate crisis threatens human reproduction and urge action on fossil fuels

Behind the Scenes: Meet 3 young scientists working to protect you from toxic chemicals

~ PRHE

In high school, Swati Rayasam thought she would study architecture or Russian literature. Then a friend almost lost his leg to an antibiotic resistant staph infection and she switched gears into science. Today she monitors EPA’s implementation of the updated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) - the law that governs chemicals in commerce - for … Continue reading Behind the Scenes: Meet 3 young scientists working to protect you from toxic chemicals

Environmental contaminants interfere with our metabolism

~ PRHE

We know that all humans are exposed to some mixture of contaminants through consumer products and contaminated food, air, and water, but how do we determine which ones interfere with our metabolism and compromise our health? Scientists develop analytical methods to identify and measure the quantities of chemical compounds in people and in the environment. … Continue reading Environmental contaminants interfere with our metabolism

Running out the TSCA clock could give hazardous chemicals a “pass”

~ PRHE

Is EPA giving itself enough time to evaluate the safety of chemicals and protect health? Or is the Agency’s planned process to gather data for risk evaluations on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), called the “Tiered Data Reporting Rule,” giving harmful substances a “pass” by running out the clock? When TSCA was … Continue reading Running out the TSCA clock could give hazardous chemicals a “pass”

How does wildfire smoke affect pregnancy outcomes?

~ PRHE

As wildfires blaze in the U.S., Canada, and other places around the globe this summer, millions of people are gearing up yet again to protect themselves and their families from the health risks of wildfire smoke. And as wildfires have become more intense over the years—quadrupling in size over the last four decades—researchers have begun … Continue reading How does wildfire smoke affect pregnancy outcomes?