Exposure to PFAS chemicals doubles the odds of a prior cancer diagnosis in women

September 18, 2023September 17, 2023 ~ PRHE

A new study shows a clear association between exposure to certain PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and phenol (including BPA) chemicals and a previous cancer diagnosis in women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study was conducted by researchers in NIEHS-funded P30 centers from UC San Francisco (UCSF), University of Southern … Continue reading Exposure to PFAS chemicals doubles the odds of a prior cancer diagnosis in women

Chemicals and Pregnancy Complications: Findings from Nontargeted Analysis

September 12, 2023September 15, 2023 ~ PRHE

EDC Strategies Partnership, in partnership with the Collaborative for Health and the Environment (CHE), hosted the following webinar on Thursday, September 14th. Drs. Jessica Trowbridge and Tracey Woodruff from PRHE presented. Chemicals and Pregnancy Complications: Findings from Nontargeted Analysis Toxic chemicals are ubiquitous in the environment. Fewer than one percent of the more than 40,000 … Continue reading Chemicals and Pregnancy Complications: Findings from Nontargeted Analysis

PFAS and chemicals used in plastics associated with increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes

July 19, 2023July 18, 2023 ~ PRHE ~ 1 Comment

Chemicals used in plastic production and PFAS are widespread in Bay Area pregnant women and are associated with an increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and hypertension, according to UCSF researchers. In a new study published in the July 19, 2023, Environmental Health Perspectives, UCSF researchers with the Program on Reproductive … Continue reading PFAS and chemicals used in plastics associated with increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes

PFAS linked to lower birthweight

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 ~ PRHE

The largest study to date to examine the role of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in birth outcomes reveals widespread exposure to five PFAS in pregnant women and lower birthweight among those with higher PFAS levels. Published today in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, the study involved more than 3,000 pregnant participants from 11 different … Continue reading PFAS linked to lower birthweight

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

December 8, 2022December 7, 2022 ~ PRHE

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!

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 ~ PRHE

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!

How do chemical exposures impact COVID?

September 8, 2022September 8, 2022 ~ PRHE

The emergence of COVID-19 marked a dramatic shift in our lives: quarantine, remote work, and coping with the extraordinary loss of life on a global scale. As environmental health experts, we were also concerned about how increased exposure to cleaning chemicals – and chemicals generally – might impact COVID outcomes. We knew this virus – … Continue reading How do chemical exposures impact COVID?

Chemicals behind global kidney failure outbreaks found in US pregnant women

August 30, 2022August 29, 2022 ~ 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

Long-term study of pregnant women finds increasing chemical exposure

May 10, 2022June 14, 2022 ~ 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

PRHE Postdocs: Where are they now?

March 15, 2022March 14, 2022 ~ PRHE

For over a decade, PRHE has mentored dozens of environmental health scientists, most of whom have gone on to play significant roles in the field. We spoke to four of them about their PRHE postdoc experience, what they’re doing now, and what changes they think are needed in environmental health. During the course of these … Continue reading PRHE Postdocs: Where are they now?