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.

UC San Francisco scientists develop new method using yeast to find chemicals that cause infertility

UCSF researchers in the lab
~ PRHE

Using a new method to test chemical toxicity, UC San Francisco (UCSF) scientists have revealed a growing list of chemicals that could cause reproductive harm, including infertility. “With infertility a growing problem around the globe, it is important to find better strategies to discover the root causes,” said Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, director of the … Continue reading UC San Francisco scientists develop new method using yeast to find chemicals that cause infertility

EPA’s final rule on methylene chloride is good but could be better

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EPA issued a final rule yesterday under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that bans all consumer uses of methylene chloride, and several industrial and commercial uses. “EPA’s regulation of methylene chloride is an important step forward in protecting workers and consumers from this deadly solvent,” said Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, Professor and Director of … Continue reading EPA’s final rule on methylene chloride is good but could be better

EPA’s revised framework rule needs to do more to protect health

~ PRHE

EPA today issued a final rule to revise the framework for how it conducts risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  This rule is important for establishing how risks of harm from chemical exposures to workers, consumers, children and fenceline communities are assessed under TSCA. The final rule includes important improvements in several … Continue reading EPA’s revised framework rule needs to do more to protect health

How extreme weather is disrupting cancer care

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As oncologists, we’ve witnessed how extreme weather events have disrupted treatment for our patients. Delays caused by storms or flooding or wildfires can disrupt the timing of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, eroding precious weeks from life-saving treatment schedules. These weather occurrences, which are growing more frequent and severe due to climate change, highlight an urgent … Continue reading How extreme weather is disrupting cancer care

EPA announces limits to PFAS in drinking water

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Statement from Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, Professor and Director of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment and the UCSF EaRTH Center, on EPA’s new regulations on PFAS in drinking water: Today’s action by EPA to reduce levels of 6 PFAS chemicals from people’s drinking water is monumental and will improve the health … Continue reading EPA announces limits to PFAS in drinking water

Researching and countering an industrial disease epidemic

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“One thing that I noticed while I was at EPA is that every single one of these chemicals had their own personal lobbyist,” said UCSF professor and former EPA scientist and policy advisory Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH as she opened the first UCSF Symposium to Evaluate and Counter Harmful Industry Impacts on Health last month. … Continue reading Researching and countering an industrial disease epidemic

We applaud EPA for new rule reducing EtO emissions

~ PRHE

The following statement is from Dr. Tracey J. Woodruff, former EPA senior scientist, UCSF professor, and director of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment and the UCSF EaRTH Center on EPA’s new rule on EtO, ethylene oxide: “We applaud EPA for strengthening standards to reduce emissions of cancer-causing EtO (ethylene oxide). This … Continue reading We applaud EPA for new rule reducing EtO emissions

Petrochemical proliferation contributing to rise in health problems

~ PRHE

A byproduct of fossil fuel production, petrochemicals are on the rise and exposures to these chemicals contribute to health problems, including cancer, according to an analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine, published today. “Pollution is the leading cause of premature death globally, and petrochemicals are a major contributor,” says author Tracey J. Woodruff, … Continue reading Petrochemical proliferation contributing to rise in health problems