PRHE paper wins ES&T “Best Paper Award for Environmental Science”

This is a first for PRHE! One of our papers received a 2022 “Best Paper Award for Environmental Science” from the journal Environmental Science & Technology, ES&T. The honor was especially poignant as the editors reflected on the landscape that scientists – and everyone – is working under: "Facing the COVID pandemic, war, political conflict, … Continue reading PRHE paper wins ES&T “Best Paper Award for Environmental Science”

Pregnant? Contribute to a healthier future and join the DREAM study!

What harmful chemicals are in pregnant people and how do they get there? How are chemical exposures during pregnancy linked to future health problems in mothers and babies? How can we reduce toxic chemicals in our homes and environment? These are the questions the DREAM Study seeks to answer, and we need your help!   … Continue reading Pregnant? Contribute to a healthier future and join the DREAM study!

Chemicals behind global kidney failure outbreaks found in US pregnant women

No worries, it's melamine

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

Long-term study of pregnant women finds increasing chemical exposure

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

FIGO study: Dietary changes can reduce exposure to EDCs

Pregnant woman chopping vegetables

Avoiding food in plastic or cans, and avoiding fast foods are among the recommendations in a new study from the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and improve pregnancy outcomes. The study, published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, was a semi-structured review to learn … Continue reading FIGO study: Dietary changes can reduce exposure to EDCs

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

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

Unlocking environmental mysteries to cancer and endometriosis

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