EDCs in the News

Researchers have identified potential links between microplastics and increased risks of colon and lung cancers, suggesting widespread exposure may be harming human health. Shannon Osaka reports for The Washington Post.

Maryland’s attorney general is suing W.L. Gore & Associates for decades of knowingly contaminating the state’s water and natural resources with toxic PFAS chemicals. Adam Thompson reports for CBS News.

Years of toxic dumping in Toms River caused over $1 billion in environmental damage, but a proposed settlement with BASF falls far short, say local advocates. Wayne Parry reports for The Associated Press.

Some smartwatch wristbands contain high levels of harmful “forever chemicals,” potentially exposing users to these persistent compounds, a new study reveals. Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.

Nearly 70 petrochemical companies across the nation, including 30 in Texas, are sending millions of pounds of pollutants into waterways each year due to weak or nonexistent regulations, according to a report published by the watchdog group Environmental Integrity Project. In the past 30 years, plastic production at petrochemical facilities has skyrocketed. The EPA estimates that plastic production in 1990 was at 17,130 tons, and by 2018 it had doubled, reaching 35,680 tons. Producing these plastics results in industrial wastewater discharges, some of which contain pollutants unregulated by federal wastewater guidelines. If the pollutant does have limits, they have been set by individual states.

Four consumers allege that Exxon, Chevron and other corporations deceived the public about plastic recycling, inflating prices and worsening plastic pollution. Mike Scarcella reports for Reuters.

Toxic chemicals tied to waste incinerator emissions have been detected in the breast milk of UK mothers, though diet remains the primary source of exposure. Gary Fuller reports for The Guardian.

Treated sewage by-products from Sydney wastewater plants, used as fertilizer, contain elevated levels of harmful “forever chemicals” linked to serious health risks. Xanthe Gregory and Joanna Woodburn report for ABC News.

Research indicates black plastic kitchen tools, often made from recycled electronic waste, may leach toxic chemicals into food during cooking. Allyson Chiu reports for The Washington Post.

Scientists are sounding alarms about endocrine-disrupting chemicals in everyday items like plastics, cosmetics, and cookware, linking them to falling fertility rates and reproductive health issues. Saabira Chaudhuri reports for The Wall Street Journal.

Microplastics are invading our bodies, from the air we breathe to the food we eat, sparking growing concerns about their potential health risks. Sanjay Gupta reports for CNN.

Maine’s failure to manage stocks of PFAS-containing firefighting foam has led to environmental hazards and potential health risks, highlighted by a recent spill in Brunswick. Marina Schauffler reports for Maine Morning Star.

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would require all packaging materials to be recyclable or compostable within a decade, aiming to cut landfill waste and plastic pollution. Wayne Parry reports for The Associated Press.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking on 3M and DuPont in a lawsuit alleging the companies misled consumers about the health risks of PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” for decades. Alejandra Martinez reports for The Texas Tribune.

Communities in Maine face mounting costs to clean up PFAS contamination from historic use of firefighting foam, with little state funding for remediation efforts. Marina Schauffler reports for Maine Morning Star.

One of the world’s largest carpet manufacturers alleges that chemical companies misled it into using PFAS, contaminating water supplies in Georgia and sparking legal action. Andy Pierrotti reports for Atlanta News First.

Women in Brazil’s farming belt face skyrocketing breast cancer rates linked to pesticide exposure, with research showing contamination from widely-used chemicals like glyphosate, atrazine, and 2,4-D. Mayala Fernandes reports for Mongabay.

Rivers, lakes and coastal waters across the Netherlands and Europe are contaminated with PFAS chemicals, often exceeding legal safety limits. Claudia Delpero reports for Dutch News.

Scientists are discovering microplastics in every corner of our bodies, from lungs to liver, raising serious questions about the long-term health effects of these tiny invaders. Will Stone and Leila Fadel report for NPR.

A Goldman Sachs-owned company, Synagro, is pushing for legislation to shield itself and other sludge fertilizer producers from lawsuits over PFAS pollution harming farmland. Hiroko Tabuchi reports for The New York Times.