Tag: study

Industrial farms, pregnancy, and public health: what we found in California

~ PRHE

If you’ve ever driven along I-5 through the California Central Valley, you likely detected an acrid stench that permeates the air. The noxious odor comes from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), industrial-scale meat and dairy production facilities that confine large numbers of animals. The manure waste generated by these animals – thousands to millions of … Continue reading Industrial farms, pregnancy, and public health: what we found in California

The first eight weeks: wildfire smoke and fetal development

~ PRHE

The earliest weeks of pregnancy are a period of remarkable development. In a matter of weeks, the foundations of the brain, spinal cord, heart, and other major organs begin to take shape. That rapid development also makes this a particularly important period for understanding how environmental exposures may affect fetal health. My research team at … Continue reading The first eight weeks: wildfire smoke and fetal development

What heat, pollution and rising energy demand mean for reproductive health

~ PRHE

Investigating climate change impacts on reproductive health reveals a minefield of urgent questions: How do heat and pollution affect fetal development? What role do endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as microplastics and PFAS, play in infertility? Why have fecundity and fertility declined over the last 40 years, and could climate-related exposures be contributing factors? In “Climate Change … Continue reading What heat, pollution and rising energy demand mean for reproductive health

Why social conditions must be part of environmental health risk

~ PRHE

When we talk about the health risks of toxic chemical exposure, we tend to focus on the chemicals themselves — how much, how long, how often. But the research my colleagues and I published recently in Journal Of Exposure Science And Environmental Epidemiology argues that this picture is incomplete in ways that matter enormously, especially for … Continue reading Why social conditions must be part of environmental health risk

Everyday chemicals detected in the womb

~ PRHE

The fluid that surrounds a baby during pregnancy does more than cushion and protect. Amniotic fluid reflects what a developing fetus is exposed to in the womb, offering a direct snapshot of both fetal metabolic processes and the prenatal environment. Yet despite its importance, scientists have rarely studied it for environmental chemicals.  In our new study, … Continue reading Everyday chemicals detected in the womb

Plastic chemicals and microplastic exposures must be reduced to protect children’s brains

~ PRHE

The following is a guest blog from Project TENDR. Action is urgently needed to safeguard children’s developing brains from microplastics and plastic-related chemicals say scientists and health professionals from across the U.S. who are part of Project TENDR, a coalition working to protect children from toxic chemicals that can contribute to problems with learning, attention, and … Continue reading Plastic chemicals and microplastic exposures must be reduced to protect children’s brains

Wildfire smoke and pregnancy: what expecting parents need to know

~ PRHE

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense across the United States, a major new study reveals important findings about how smoke exposure affects pregnant women and their babies. The growing threat Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, exposing millions of Americans to smoke-filled air. For pregnant people, this isn't … Continue reading Wildfire smoke and pregnancy: what expecting parents need to know

Common pesticides may disrupt placental health

~ PRHE

Pregnancy depends on a healthy placenta, but how environmental chemicals affect placental development is still poorly understood. Growing evidence suggests that exposure to common pesticides may increase the risk of pregnancy complications. In our new study examining pregnancy risks from pesticides, one pesticide stood out: naled. You might not have heard of naled - an … Continue reading Common pesticides may disrupt placental health

Scientists identify hundreds of chemicals from plastics in people

~ PRHE

Hundreds of plastic-related chemicals were identified in pregnant women by scientists at UC San Francisco in a study published today in Environment & Health Journal. Alarmingly, many of these chemicals have little to no current exposure data, which means little is known about how much they are impacting people and their health. “It is extremely … Continue reading Scientists identify hundreds of chemicals from plastics in people

Scientists urge plastics treaty negotiators to prioritize health

~ PRHE

Plastics are made of more than 16,000 chemicals, mostly derived from oil and gas. Over 4,200 are known to be hazardous, while the toxicity of the majority of the remaining is unknown. – “Negotiating the plastics treaty to protect health and the environment” Main takeaways: The United Nations (UN) is in the process of negotiating … Continue reading Scientists urge plastics treaty negotiators to prioritize health