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

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

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

EPA announces limits to PFAS in drinking water

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

“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

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

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

Life is a (polluted) highway: How exposure to traffic pollution impacts health

In the United States, almost 60 million people live within 500 meters of a highway or highly trafficked road. Living near roads means greater exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) from cars and trucks, which can lead to numerous health issues, including premature death. In California, 40% of the population lives near major roads, the … Continue reading Life is a (polluted) highway: How exposure to traffic pollution impacts health