EDC News and Announcements

PITTSBURGH — More than a year after the Pennsylvania Department of Health published three studies linking fracking to cancer and other health effects, advocates say the agency failed to keep promises to help residents living near fracking wells. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered the studies, commonly referred to as “the Pitt studies,” after residents of fracking communities with high rates of rare childhood cancers demanded more research.

A new study has shown that thousands of chemicals from food packaging, including known endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, are making their way into human bodies through everyday food contact. Shannon Osaka reports for The Washington Post.

Children using personal care products have higher levels of phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals that can harm development and health, according to new research. Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating tampon safety after a recent study found toxic metals in products from over a dozen popular brands. Rachel Treisman reports for NPR.

Scientists are turning their attention to trifluoroacetic acid, a persistent chemical that may be widespread in the environment and difficult to filter out of drinking water. Miranda Willson reports for E&E News.

In Orange County, California, a new water treatment plant is tackling the growing PFAS contamination problem by filtering dangerous chemicals from drinking water. Pien Huang reports for NPR.

A recent study suggests that personal care products, like lotions and conditioners, may expose children to harmful phthalates, chemicals that could disrupt hormone development. Maria Godoy reports for NPR.

The UK’s Environment Agency knew about the environmental risks of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams two decades before regulating them, according to a 2003 report. Pippa Neill reports for The Guardian.

Researchers are warning that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. pesticides pose a long-term health risk, akin to the dangers of DDT. Nathan Donley and Kyla Bennett write for Scientific American.

A new study found that Wisconsin residents consuming microwaved popcorn and locally caught fish had higher PFAS levels in their blood, though other factors may also contribute. Trevor Hook reports for Wisconsin Public Radio.

PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania-based fracking company is the subject of controversy after one of its projects was listed as an environmental justice initiative under a federal government program by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Justice40 is a Biden administration initiative that directs 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal programs to environmental justice communities, which are low-income and overburdened by pollution. The inclusion of CNX’s project – dubbed the “Radical Transparency” program by the company – suggests the company is slated to receive some of the $30 million in public funds allocated to the region’s hydrogen hub project.

A new poll shows that 70% of American voters, including a majority of Republicans, support legal action against the plastics industry for deceptive recycling practices. Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

Scientists warn that “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, have contaminated drinking water supplies across the U.S., posing health risks even at low levels. Jamie Hailstone reports for Forbes.

The Brunswick, Maine town council is urging state and local authorities to remove PFAS-laden firefighting foam from the regional airport following a recent spill that threatens local water sources. Emma Davis reports for Maine Morning Star.

A recent study found that seafood from the Gulf of Maine, particularly shrimp and lobster, contains PFAS levels that may pose health risks to New Hampshire residents who consume large amounts. Claire Sullivan reports for New Hampshire Bulletin.

For decades, American farmers unknowingly spread toxic “forever chemicals” across millions of acres, only now discovering the long-term health and environmental consequences. Hiroko Tabuchi reports for The New York Times.

Environmental groups warn that artificial turf may expose players to dangerous PFAS chemicals, raising health concerns for communities. Christine Swartz and Jim Morelli report for Boston 25 News.

A year and a half after a catastrophic Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical fire in East Palestine, Ohio, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced plans to monitor private drinking water wells for Pennsylvania residents living within one mile of the accident site for the next decade. The chemicals released in the spill, including vinyl chloride, 2-butoxyethanol and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, are used to manufacture plastic. Exposure to these chemicals is linked to headaches, nausea, neurological problems, liver damage and cancer, among other health effects. Residents in surrounding regions have reported lingering health problems like stomach aches, headaches and respiratory problems in the wake of the incident.

Despite growing awareness of their dangers, forever chemicals like PFAS are still found in everyday personal care products, often without consumer knowledge. Megan Cerullo reports for CBS News.

The increasing use of specific pesticides is significantly reducing the populations of wild bees across the U.S., according to a new study in Nature Sustainability. Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.