Everyday levels of a pregnant woman’s exposure to mixtures of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), put their child at an increased risk of delayed language development, according to new research. More:

• Prenatal exposure to toxics risks delay of child’s brain development  –  EHN
• From cohorts to molecules: Adverse impacts of endocrine disrupting mixtures (Research abstract)

Whether it’s lead, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or BPA, nearly every time scientists assess chemicals, they lower the thresholds for safety. Doses that were previously thought innocuous, we find, turn out harmful. Why does that happen? More:

• BPA safety: The toxic chemical limbo game  –  EHN

A new study found that in a marine environment, microplastics absorb and concentrate toxic organic substances and thus increase their toxicity by a factor of 10, which may lead to a severe impact on human health. More:

• Microplastics increase the toxicity of organic pollutants in the environment by a factor of 10  –  Phys.org
• Interactions of microplastics and organic compounds in aquatic environments: A case study of augmented joint toxicity (Research abstract)

In Europe, scientists have blown the whistle on farmworkers' exposure to pesticides for years. Farm workers are not protected from pesticides. Their exposure has been linked to serious illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease and blood cancers. Recommended equipment, expensive, untested and rarely worn as it is, does not provide effective protection. Without this presumed protection, dangerous pesticides would be banned. More:

• Poisoned farmers: exposing the myth of pesticide protection in Europe  –  MidWest Center

• Ignoring Adjuvant Toxicity Falsifies the Safety Profile of Commercial Pesticides (Research article)

• Critical review of the role of PPE in the prevention of risks related to agricultural pesticide use (Scientific review)
• Ergonomics contribution to chemical risks prevention: An ergotoxicological investigation of the effectiveness of coverall against plant pest risk in viticulture (Research article)
• Efficacite des combinaisons de protection chimique (Rapport)  –  Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l’environnement et du travail

• Guidance on the assessment of exposure of operators, workers, residents and bystanders in risk assessment for plant protection products  –  EFSA

• The effects of pesticides on health: New data (Executive summary)  –  Inserm
• Pesticides et santé – Nouvelles données (2021)  –  Inserm

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of man-made chemicals used for their water- and stain-resistant qualities in products like clothing and carpet, nonstick cookware, packaging and firefighting foam. The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time. More:

• Here's what you should know about how to remove 'forever chemicals' from your drinking water  –  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• What are PFAS? Here's what you need to know about the emerging contaminant group known as 'forever chemicals'  –  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water (Leaflet)  –  Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• NSF Product and Service Listings  –  NSF International

PFAS are a group of manmade chemicals used in a vast number of consumer and industrial products. They’re often referred to as “forever chemicals,” because most don’t break down. Use this guide to understand PFAS and how to limit your exposure. More:

• What are PFAS? Everything you need to know about “forever chemicals” and how to avoid them  –  EHN
• PFAS: These “forever chemicals” don’t break down in the environment and can harm our health  –  Green Science Policy Institute
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)  –  US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

• A lasting legacy: DuPont, C8 contamination and the community of Parkersburg left to grapple with the consequences  –  EHN
• Perfluorinated Compounds in Umbilical Cord Blood and Adverse Birth Outcomes (Research Article)
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Breast Milk: Concerning Trends for Current-Use PFAS (Research abstract)
• Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals in the U.S. Population: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 and Comparisons with NHANES 1999–2000 (Research article)
• Serum concentrations of PFASs and exposure-related behaviors in African American and non-Hispanic white women (Research article)

• For Decades, Polluters Knew PFAS Chemicals Were Dangerous But Hid Risks From Public  –  EWG
• C8 Science Panel  –  C8 Science Panel Website
• Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to Perfluorooctanoic Acid or Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (Monograph)  –  US National Toxicology Program
• Fact Sheet: Human Health Toxicity Assessment for GenX Chemicals –  US EPA

• Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians have been exposed to dangerous PFAS chemicals, including around Pittsburgh’s airport  –  EHN
• Detection of ultrashort-chain and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. bottled water (Research abstract)

• Investigation: PFAS on our shelves and in our bodies  –  EHN
• Product Investigations - PFAS Testing Results  –  Mamavation
• Characterization of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances Present in Commercial Anti-fog Products and Their In Vitro Adipogenic Activity (Research article)
• Safest Non-Toxic Parchment Paper Without PFAS "Forever Chemicals"–Lab Reports  –  Mamavation
• Safest Bamboo Flooring Without PFAS "Forever Chemicals"–Lab Reports  –  Mamavation

• Green beauty product testing finds more than 60% have PFAS indicators  –  EHN
• Fluorinated Compounds in North American Cosmetics (Research article)

• The GenX water crisis began 4 years ago. Here's a recap of the key moments so far  –  StarNews
• Fracking with forever chemicals  –  Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Suspected industrial discharges of PFAS (Interactive Map)  –  EWG
• EWG: At least 1,500 U.S. textile mills likely dischargers of ‘forever chemicals’  –  EWG
• 679 Military Sites With Known or Suspected Discharges of PFAS (Interactive map)  –  EWG

• The Madrid Statement on Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)  –  EHP
• The concept of essential use for determining when uses of PFASs can be phased out (Scientific article)

If you happened to be strolling by the Adidas outlet store near the company’s German headquarters on a sunny May day in 2014, you would have seen a soccer match of sorts on the concrete outside. But there was something odd about this game. More:

• IN DEPTH: First-of-its kind testing points to dangers and unknowns of PFAS in clothing  –  EHN
• Toxic Convenience: The hidden costs of forever chemicals in stain- and water-resistant products  –  Toxic-Free Future

• A Review of PFAS as a Chemical Class in the Textile Sector (Report)  –  NRDC
• Emissions of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in a Textile Manufacturing Plant in China and Their Relevance for Workers’ Exposure (Research Abstract)
• PFAS widespread in water- and stain-resistant outdoor clothes, home linens  –  EHN
• Investigation finds evidence of PFAS in workout and yoga pants  –  EHN
• Report: 65% of Period Underwear Likely Contaminated with PFAS chemicals  –  Mamavation

• PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding (Research article)
• The Air That We Breathe: Neutral and Volatile PFAS in Indoor Air (Research abstract)
• Dietary patterns and PFAS plasma concentrations in childhood: Project Viva, USA (Research article)

• ‘They’re hiding something’: Southwest flight attendant speaks out about severe reactions to uniforms  –  Harvard School of Public Health
• Another Pathway for Firefighter Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Firefighter Textiles (Research abstract)
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust (Research article)

• Short-chain Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (Literature review)  –  Danish Ministry of the Environment
• Health harms associated with long-chain and short-chain PFAS commonly detected in drinking water and used in consumer or industrial products (Table)  –  EWG
• Comparative analysis of the toxicological databases for 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (Research abstract)
• Association between Prenatal Exposure to PFAS and Fetal Sex Hormones: Are the Short-Chain PFAS Safer? (Research abstract)

The north Atlantic archipelago, which lies between Iceland and the northern tip of Scotland, is far from sources of industrial or chemical pollution. And the chemicals that the 2005 Stockholm University study measured, which included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), had already been phased out in many countries. More:

• How ‘forever chemicals’ are using marine life to travel the world by sea  –  The Guardian
• PFAS - Environment (News collection)  –  The Guardian

• Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Global Issue, A Global Response  –  US EPA
• PCB a forgotten legacy  –  UNEP
• 'Shocking' levels of PCB chemicals in UK killer whale Lulu  –  BBC

• Harmful Boomerang: PFAS Pollution in Ocean Comes Back to Land  –  Stockholm University
• Sea Spray Aerosol (SSA) as a Source of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) to the Atmosphere: Field Evidence from Long-Term Air Monitoring (Research article)

• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): A Primer for Practicing Clinicians (Scientific article)
• A retrospective study of PBDEs and PCBs in human milk from the Faroe Islands (Research article)
• Study finds alarming levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in US mothers’ breast milk  –  The Guardian

• Developmental PBDE Exposure and IQ/ADHD in Childhood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (Research article)
• The influence of persistent organic pollutants in the traditional Inuit diet on markers of inflammation (Research article)
• The impact of chemicals on children’s brain development  –  ChemTrust

Residents of a New Hampshire town where drinking water was contaminated with the industrial compounds known as PFAS have elevated rates of several cancers compared to the national average and compared to several nearby communities that were not contaminated with the chemicals, according to a study published today in the journal Environmental Health Insights. More:

• New Hampshire Town Polluted With PFAS Has Elevated Cancer Rates  –  The Intercept
• Bad Chemistry  –  The Intercept

• Toxic PFAS Chemicals Discovered in Hundreds of Products  –  The Intercept
• An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Research article)

• Risk of Cancer in a Community Exposed to Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (Research article)
• Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and risk for polycystic ovarian syndrome, uterine leiomyoma, and endometriosis: A Swedish cohort study (Research article)
• Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS (Research article)
• Why is elevation of serum cholesterol associated with exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in humans? A workshop report on potential mechanisms (Research article)

Cattle from a small south-east Michigan farm that sold beef to schools and at farmers’ markets in the state have been found to contain dangerous levels of PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals” that can pose a serious risk to human health. More:

• Michigan beef found to contain dangerous levels of ‘forever chemicals’  –  The Guardian
• Toxic 'forever chemicals' found in Michigan farm's beef  –  abc12.com
• Toxic 'forever chemicals' found in Michigan farm's beef  –  Great Lakes Now

• Basics of Biosolids  –  US EPA
• Biosolids: mix human waste with toxic chemicals, then spread on crops  –  The Guardian
• MPART investigation yields new data on how PFAS in wastewater biosolids can accumulate in plants and animals  –  Michigan Environment
• Report: EPA Unable to Assess the Impact of Hundreds of Unregulated Pollutants in Land-Applied Biosolids on Human Health and the Environment (Report)  –  US EPA

• FDA’s updated results for PFAS in food suggest progress but raise questions about its method  –  Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
• Chemical giants hid dangers of ‘forever chemicals’ in food packaging  –  The Guardian
• PFAS in food: BfR confirms critical exposure to industrial chemicals (Report)  –  German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
• US FDA: Investigation of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in US food products (Poster presentation)  –  EDF
• Analytical Results for PFAS in 2018 Produce Sampling (Parts Per Trillion)  –  EDF

As regulators and growing public awareness have put the screws on some of the more well-known PFAS chemicals, other variants are marketed as safe and are rarely scrutinised. One such chemical is PTFE – an unregulated chemical in the PFAS family – which is used in a plethora of consumer products, giving materials that desired non-stick function. More:

• The Teflon chemical PTFE is often touted as a safe cousin of toxic PFAS. But is it really?  –  Chemsec
• Fluorinated polymers in a low carbon, circular and toxic-free economy (Report)  –  Eionet Portal

A school district in Washington state has offered an extraordinary $34 million settlement to students and parents exposed to toxic chemicals that lingered for at least eight years on a public school campus. More:

• School District Where Toxic Chemicals Lingered for Years Offers $34 Million Settlement to Families  –  ProPublica
• Toxic PCBs festered at a Monroe school for eight years as students, teachers grew sicker  –  The Seattle Times
• WA lawmakers, advocates call for PCB testing in schools in response to Seattle Times story  –  The Seattle Times

The researchers found that people might be exposed to inhalable fiberglass fragments from their mattress covers but are unaware about this hidden hazard in their bedroom. If inhaled, fiberglass can irritate or damage the lungs, and cause other harms. More:

• Fiberglass: A new hidden hazard in mattresses  –  EHN
• Fiberglass and Other Flame-Resistant Fibers in Mattress Covers (Research article)

• Flame Retardants  –  EWG

• Have you ever paused to think about the chemicals and contaminants you are exposed to inside your home?  –  EWG’s Healthy Living - Home Guide
• Choosing a Safe Mattress for Your Baby's Crib  –  EWG

Fifteen out of 23 popular sports bras have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report. Sports bras made from synthetic materials, rather than cotton, were more likely to have detectable levels of fluorine. More:

• Evidence of PFAS chemicals in sports bras  –  EHN
• Immunotoxicity and allergenic potential induced by topical application of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a murine model (Research abstract)

• Sports Bras & PFAS -Forever Chemicals- Purchasing Guide  –  Mamavation
• Investigation finds evidence of PFAS in workout and yoga pants  –  EHN

At 30 of those DOD sites, the chemical, PFHxS, was found at even greater levels in groundwater than at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, the base linked to high PFHxS levels in the blood of Berkeley County, W.Va., residents. The higher levels of PFHxS were detected in monitoring wells located on DOD installations. It is unknown whether residents of communities near these 30 sites have been exposed to PFHxS in their drinking water. More:

• Almost 250 DOD sites have detectable levels of ‘forever chemical’ PFHxS  –  EWG
• The Pentagon Should Address All Types of PFAS on Military Bases  –  EWG
• UPDATE: Detection of toxic PFAS chemicals increases to 2,790 communities  –  EWG

• PFAS-Tox Database (Database)

• PFAS Exposure Assessment - Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia (Report)  –  US ATSDR
• Children’s Exposure to PFAS Chemicals Begins in the Womb  –  EWG

The finding from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was just the estimated cost of remediating places polluted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are typically referred to as PFAS. It does not include other costs to the state, which could include reimbursing property owners or farmers whose livelihoods are affected by the chemicals. More:

• Maine may have to spend tens of millions per year to fight ‘forever chemicals’  –  Bangor Daily News
• Maine’s ‘forever chemicals’ problem has now spread to chicken eggs  –  Bangor Daily News
• No one knows how many ‘forever chemicals’ could be in Maine’s organic foods  –  Bangor Daily News
• Maine found ‘forever chemicals’ in deer, but has no idea how widespread the problem is  –  Bangor Daily News

Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFASs, are considered indestructible chemicals. They are virtually nondegradable and accumulate in humans and the environment. Suspected health effects include asthma, cancer and changes in the reproductive organs. How to get rid of PFASs has been completely unclear until now—and the first approaches to destroying the resistant molecules are showing promising results. More:

• How to Destroy ‘Forever Chemicals’  –  Scientific American

• The Fluorine Detectives  –  Scientific American
• Forever Chemicals Are Widespread in U.S. Drinking Water  –  Scientific American
• PFAS - Environmental Toxins Forever  –  Specktrum
• Ski Wax Chemicals Can Build Up in Blood  –  Scientific American

• PFAS destruction technologies are starting to emerge  –  C&EN
• PFAS ANNIHILATOR™ Destruction Technology  –  Battelle
• Supercritical Water Oxidation as an Innovative Technology for PFAS Destruction (Research abstract)

While there is growing awareness of the steep health impacts of global environmental changes—including the climate crisis, accelerating biodiversity loss, and an increasing saturation of plastic and chemical wastes—bringing the health and environment sectors together for joint action is easier said than done. More:

• The Health-Environment Nexus  –  IISD
• Health in the Global Environmental Agenda: A policy guide (Report)  –  IISD

A study claims that the production of chemicals and plastics has already outpaced our ability to assess and monitor them, and in doing so threatens critical systems that we depend on. The researchers behind the new study conclude that chemical pollution has crossed a planetary boundary. More:

• Earth’s limits pushed by chemical pollution as UN environment meeting nears  –  ChemistryWorld
• Our chemical habit is choking the Earth  –  Canada's National Observer

• Planetary boundaries –  Stockholm Resilience Centre
• Outside the Safe Operating Space of the Planetary Boundary for Novel Entities (Research article)

• Concerns raised over ‘regrettable’ BPA substitutions  –  Chemistry World

The widespread presence of these chemicals in dozens of products highlights concerns about the large number of PFAS exposures humans face via skin contact, indoor air and house dust. It’s already been proven that people are exposed through contaminated drinking water, food and breast milk. Textiles are now another category of concern. More:

• New tests find toxic 'forever chemicals' in bedding, yoga pants and other textiles  –  EWG
• EWG Explains: PFAS (YouTube)  –  EWG
• An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (Research article)

• Toxic Convenience: The hidden costs of forever chemicals in stain- and water-resistant products –  Toxic-Free Future
• Investigation finds evidence of PFAS in workout and yoga pants  –  EHN
• Non-Toxic Activewear Guide- PFAS Forever Chemicals in Workout Leggings and Yoga Pants  –  Mamavation
• High Levels of PFAS Found in Anti-Fogging Sprays and Cloths  –  Nicholas School of the Environment
• Fluorinated Compounds in North American Cosmetics (Research article)

• EWG: At least 1,500 U.S. textile mills likely dischargers of ‘forever chemicals’  –  EWG
• Twelvefold increase in suspected industrial dischargers of ‘forever chemicals’  –  EWG

• Feeding the Waste Cycle: How PFAS ‘Disposal’ Perpetuates Contamination  –  EWG
• Study: Disposal of PFAS Waste Increases Contamination  –  EWG

• ‘Forever Chemicals’ Must Be Regulated as a Class  –  EWG
• Requirement to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances  –  US House of Representatives
• Landmark bipartisan PFAS Action Act passes House  –  EWG

• How you can protect yourself from PFAS contamination  –  EWG
• EWG's water filter guide  –  US EWG
• EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database  –  EWG