Author: PRHE

PRHE’s mission is to create a healthier environment for human reproduction and development through advancing scientific inquiry, clinical care and health policies that prevent exposures to harmful chemicals in our environment.

PRHE’s systematic review method takes world stage at ISEE 2022

~ PRHE

To improve how scientists evaluate chemical risks globally and strengthen evidence-based decision making, many members of PRHE’s team will present at the 34th annual conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, taking place September 18-21 in Athens, Greece (where both in-person and virtual attendance is possible). PRHE’s sessions include a training on best practices … Continue reading PRHE’s systematic review method takes world stage at ISEE 2022

Chemicals behind global kidney failure outbreaks found in US pregnant women

No worries, it's melamine
~ PRHE

Melamine – a chemical found in certain types of plastic dishware that the World Health Organization recently classified as “possibly carcinogenic” – made global news for causing outbreaks of kidney failure and deaths in pets in 2004 (Korea) and 2007 (U.S.) and later in children in 2008 (China). This was because manufacturers had added melamine … Continue reading Chemicals behind global kidney failure outbreaks found in US pregnant women

EPA’s failure to properly implement TSCA puts lives at risk

~ PRHE

In the 40 years between enactment of the original Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976 and its 2016 amendments, EPA regulated less than 1% of the existing chemicals on the market. EPA was even unable to ban cancer-causing chemicals like asbestos, part of the reason Congress updated TSCA to make it easier for regulators … Continue reading EPA’s failure to properly implement TSCA puts lives at risk

EPA must improve its TSCA systematic review method, scientific review says again

~ PRHE

Six years have passed since Congress updated the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), yet EPA still does not have an appropriate method for conducting systematic reviews of chemical risks - the method by which EPA evaluates potential health harms - which is critical to protecting the public’s health. This is the clear conclusion taken from … Continue reading EPA must improve its TSCA systematic review method, scientific review says again

Exploring how historic redlining impacts health and environment today

~ PRHE

Redlining, a discriminatory practice created by the federal government in the 1930s to deny mortgages in certain neighborhoods characterized by a higher proportion of Black and immigrant residents, established a lasting legacy of systemic racism and environmental inequities. So how can we better understand how historical redlining impacts our health and environment today? With funding … Continue reading Exploring how historic redlining impacts health and environment today

Long-term study of pregnant women finds increasing chemical exposure

~ PRHE ~ 2 Comments

A national study that enrolled a highly diverse group of pregnant women over a 12-year period found rising exposure to chemicals from plastics and pesticides that may be harmful to development. Many of the chemicals that the women had been exposed to were replacement chemicals: new forms of chemicals that have been banned or phased … Continue reading Long-term study of pregnant women finds increasing chemical exposure

EPA can require chemical companies to provide data on PFAS risks. Why isn’t it?

Scientist examining toxic water samples
~ PRHE

In the recent ProPublica article, “She’s Supposed to Protect Americans from Toxic Chemicals. First, She Has to Fix Trump’s Mess and Decades of Neglect,” Dr. Michal Freedhoff, PhD, EPA’s head of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) said: “You can’t ask companies to spend a bunch of money producing data that already … Continue reading EPA can require chemical companies to provide data on PFAS risks. Why isn’t it?

Surviving Extreme Heat: A climate crisis project

~ PRHE

Extreme heat is a burgeoning health threat unleashed by our climate crisis and predicted to get worse amid increasing global warming. But current approaches to health care have generally overlooked exposure to extreme heat in the treatment and prevention of illness. We sought to address this problem. Heat waves have already become more extreme and … Continue reading Surviving Extreme Heat: A climate crisis project