Tag: PFAS

Toxic Recipe: EPA rollbacks, immunity for polluters, and increasing threats to public health

~ PRHE

In Brief:   EPA is proposing to roll back established protection from PFAS in drinking water. Furthermore, some lawmakers seek immunity for PFAS polluters. This double whammy to environmental protections will result in increased exposure to PFAS and higher rates of adverse health effects. This is contrary to the MAHA goals for reducing and preventing chronic … Continue reading Toxic Recipe: EPA rollbacks, immunity for polluters, and increasing threats to public health

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 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

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

~ 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

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

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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

Makers of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ covered up the dangers

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Widely used in clothing, household products and food, they resist breaking down in the environment The chemical industry took a page out of the tobacco playbook when they discovered and suppressed their knowledge of health harms caused by exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), according to an analysis of previously secret industry documents by … Continue reading Makers of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ covered up the dangers

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?