EDCs in the News

Trump’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cut targets “indirect costs,” the behind-the-scenes expenses that keep labs running, sparking a fierce backlash from universities and scientists who say it will cripple American innovation. Carolyn Y. Johnson, Susan Svrluga, and Joel Achenbach report for The Washington Post.

Partnering with EHN, Mamavation — an environmental wellness blog and community — had 22 lavender and peppermint essential oils from 11 brands tested by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab, and found that all 22 oils contained detectable levels of phthalates. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used as solvents and stabilizers in many products, including personal care items like cosmetics and fragrances. Exposure to phthalates is linked to hormone disruption, fertility impacts, low birth weights, obesity, some cancers, delayed brain development and behavioral problems in children, and other health issues. Research suggests that even very low levels of exposure to these chemicals can be harmful.

The chemical industry has asked Trump’s new Environmental Protection Agency chief, Lee Zeldin, to roll back public access to information on high-risk chemical facilities, arguing that transparency poses security risks. Katya Schwenk reports for The Lever.

Pesticide manufacturers are backing legislation in multiple states that would shield them from lawsuits over health risks, sparking intense opposition from farm groups and public health advocates. Carey Gillam reports for The New Lede.

Milwaukee and its sewerage district are suing Monsanto, alleging the company knowingly sold toxic PCBs that have contaminated local waterways, leading to costly cleanups. Tamia Fowlkes reports for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Toxic PFAS chemicals, linked to serious health risks, have contaminated Santa Clara County’s water, prompting a lawsuit against DuPont, 3M and others for allegedly covering up the dangers. Ethan Baron reports for The Mercury News.

Exxon has applied for tax subsidies to build an $8.6 billion plastics factory in Point Comfort, Texas, raising concerns among residents already dealing with pollution from nearby petrochemical facilities. Tik Root and Joseph Winters report for Grist.

Seven out of 14 bras tested have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report from Mamavation. This new round of testing, conducted in collaboration with EHN.org, included everyday bras in a range of sizes, materials and support levels.

Europe faces an astronomical price tag — up to €2 trillion over 20 years — to clean up PFAS pollution, with no end in sight as industries continue to emit these toxic “forever chemicals.” Raphaëlle Aubert and Stéphane Horel report for Le Monde.

Dozens of homes in Washington Township, Warren County, are receiving bottled water as federal officials test private wells for PFAS contamination linked to industrial waste spread on farmland decades ago. Michael Sol Warren reports for NJ Spotlight News.

Home fertilizers made from treated sewage sludge may contain PFAS, chemicals linked to health risks, prompting concerns about contamination in soil, water and food. Allyson Chiu reports for The Washington Post.

Dangerous levels of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” have been detected in water samples across Tennessee, raising concerns about industrial pollution and regulatory rollbacks. David Floyd reports for Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Plants and wildlife near Holloman Lake in New Mexico show some of the highest PFAS contamination levels ever recorded, prompting health officials to warn hunters about potential exposure. Danielle Prokop reports for Source New Mexico.

A new lawsuit accuses the Chemours chemical plant in West Virginia of discharging toxic PFAS into the Ohio River, continuing a decades-long pollution crisis. Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.

Parents living in communities contaminated with PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” face difficult decisions about breastfeeding as research suggests these toxic substances can pass to infants through breastmilk, raising concerns about their long-term health effects. Nicole Williams writes for Undark Magazine.

President Trump’s sweeping freezes on meetings, travel, and hiring at the National Institutes of Health have sparked fear and confusion among researchers. Meredith Wadman and Jocelyn Kaiser report for Science.

The Trump administration has ordered a temporary halt to external communications from federal health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, sparking confusion among staff about its duration and impact. Lena H. Sun, Dan Diamond, and Rachel Roubein report for The Washington Post.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), questioned Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump’s nominee for EPA administrator, about the plastic pollution crisis in a confirmation hearing Thursday held by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. PBS video on plastic pollution starts at 4:02.

Residents of Jersey are being advised to undergo bloodletting to lower dangerous PFAS levels in their blood, caused by decades of water contamination from firefighting foams used at the island’s airport. Leana Hosea and Rachel Salvidge report for The Guardian.

A Washington jury awarded $100 million to four plaintiffs who said PCBs at a Seattle-area school caused serious health issues, while finding Bayer not liable for 11 other claims. Brendan Pierson and Dietrich Knauth report for Reuters.