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Health Videos - 5
Environmental Health Expert Gives FDA an ‘F’ for Its Handling of Chemicals in Our Food. His Advice on How to Lower Your Exposure
Dr. Leo Trasande, an internationally recognized expert in children’s environmental health, talks to HealthDay about the dangers of PFAS in our food supply.
Pregnant Women Concerned About Chemical Exposure May Want to Avoid Makeup, Nail Polish and Hair Dye, New Study Suggests
In a new study, pregnant and breastfeeding women who used personal care products like nail polish, makeup and hair dyes had significantly higher levels of toxic chemicals called PFAS in their blood plasma and breast milk.
PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Bottled and Tap Water Samples from Around the World
Researchers detect 10 PFAS chemicals in tap and bottled water samples collected from 15 countries.
Girls May Start Puberty Early Due to Chemical Exposure, Study Finds
Girls exposed to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals are more likely to start puberty early – increasing their risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease, researchers say.
Chemicals Commonly Found in Cosmetics May Raise Risk of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
A new study links parabens and phenols used in many makeup and sunscreen products to high blood pressure in pregnant women.
Health News Results - 86
EPA Bans Two Solvents Linked to Cancer
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- December 9, 2024
- Full Page
Two commonly used solvents that have been linked to cancer were banned Monday by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The solvents, known as trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (Perc), are used in in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants, glue and automative care...
20th Century Lead Exposures Took Grim Toll on Americans' Health
- HealthDay Reporter
- December 4, 2024
- Full Page
Decades of lead exposure from car exhaust altered the mental health of millions of Americans, making them more prone to depression, anxiety and ADHD, a new study claims.
Lead was first added to gasoline in 1923 to help keep car engines healthy, researchers said.
Bu...
Want to Lower Chemical Exposures in Pregnancy? Quit Nail Polish, Makeup and Hair Dye
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- November 19, 2024
- Full Page
Women who won't leave the house without makeup or a spritz of hairspray may want to think twice about those habits when they're pregnant or breastfeeding.
New research links these and other personal care products, including hair dyes, fragrances, lotions, moisturizers an...
1 in 5 Americans' Drinking Water Tainted With PFAS Chemicals
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- October 28, 2024
- Full Page
More than 20% of people in the continental United States might have drinking water contaminated with “forever chemicals,” a new study suggests.
Between 75 and 95 million Americans rely on groundwater that contains detectible concentrations of these chemical...
Global Study Finds PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Common in Tap, Bottled Water
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- October 18, 2024
- Full Page
PFAS “forever chemicals” can be found in drinking water around the world, whether it comes from a tap or a bottle, a new study warns.
Ten specific PFAS chemicals were found in samples of bottled and tap water sourced from 15 countries around the world, resear...
PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Could Disrupt Sleep
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- October 7, 2024
- Full Page
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have broken new ground, linking "forever chemicals" in the blood to poor sleep.
Their research -- published in the October issue of the journal
Phenols, Found in Many Products, Could Upset Heart's Rhythms
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- October 7, 2024
- Full Page
Chemicals called phenols include food preservatives, plastics ingredients such as BPA and the parabens in shampoos, so they are ubiquitous in everyday life.
Now, research suggests that higher exposure to phenols might trigger changes in the heart's electrical system and ...
California Bans 6 Artificial Dyes in Foods Served at Public Schools
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- October 1, 2024
- Full Page
A new law just passed in California makes it the first state to tell public schools they may no longer serve foods that contain six artificial dyes linked to health and behavior problems among children.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the&n...
Almost 200 Chemicals Linked to Breast Cancer Are Found in Food Packaging
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- September 24, 2024
- Full Page
Food sold in shrink wrap, on cardboard trays or in paper containers might contain any of nearly 200 chemicals linked to breast cancer, a new st...
Many Toxic Chemicals Leach Into Human Bodies From Food Packaging
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- September 17, 2024
- Full Page
That plastic wrap you find around the food you eat is far from benign: A new study shows that more than 3,600 chemicals leach into food during the packaging process.
Of that number, 79 chemicals are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, and endocrine and reprodu...
FDA to Investigate Safety of Toxic Metals in Tampons
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- September 11, 2024
- Full Page
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it will launch an independent review into any possible effects of toxic metals found in tampons.
Exposure to PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' in Pregnancy Could Boost Long-Term Obesity Risk
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- September 6, 2024
- Full Page
PFAS “forever chemicals” could cause pregnant women to experience long-term weight gain, increasing their risk of obesity in middle age, a new study warns.
Chemicals in Makeup, Sunscreen May Raise Odds for Dangerous Pregnancy Complication
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- August 14, 2024
- Full Page
Chemicals commonly found in sunscreen, makeup and other personal care products could be putting pregnancies at risk, a new study warns.
Phenols and parabens in these products increase a pregnant woman's risk of high blood pressure by 57%, particularly at 24 to 28 weeks o...
EPA Bans Vegetable Pesticide That Can Harm Fetuses
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- August 7, 2024
- Full Page
In an historic move, the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday banned the use of a pesticide that can harm fetuses.
Known as dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal), the weedkiller is used on a variety of crops, including broccoli, onions, kale, Brussels...
Exposure to Plastics Chemical BPA May Raise Diabetes Risk
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- June 26, 2024
- Full Page
A common plastics chemical might increase a person's risk of diabetes, a new study warns.
People fed small doses of Bisphonol A (BPA) developed significantly worse insulin sensitivity within...
Feel Sick? Waiting at Least 2 Days Before COVID Test Is Best
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- June 26, 2024
- Full Page
The COVID virus, or rather people's immune response to it, has changed and it might be prudent to wait a couple days after symptoms start before taking a COVID test, researchers report.
"For COVID, we found that if you only have one test, it's best to wait two days after...
Many Louisiana Residents May Be Exposed to Sky-High Levels of Toxic Gas
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- June 11, 2024
- Full Page
Many Louisiana residents are being exposed to a cancer-causing toxic gas that's used in industrial settings, researchers report.
A cutting-edge mobile...
San Francisco Set to Ban 'Forever Chemicals' in Firefighter Gear
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- May 14, 2024
- Full Page
San Francisco is on the verge of passing a ban on "forever chemicals" in the protective clothing firefighters wear while battling blazes.
Emulsifier Chemicals Are Everywhere in Foods. Could They Raise Diabetes Risk?
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 25, 2024
- Full Page
Emulsifiers -- substances that are essential ingredients in processed foods -- appear to increase people's risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.
<...
Chemicals Stored in Your Garage Could Raise Odds for ALS
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 15, 2024
- Full Page
Volatile and toxic chemicals commonly stored in garages can increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Gasoline or kerosene, gas-powered equipment and lawn care chemicals represented the top three risk factors for ALS found in garages, researchers report.<...
Seafood Can Pass on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals,' Study Finds
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- April 12, 2024
- Full Page
Cancer-linked 'forever chemicals' made news this week, with the Biden Administration vowing to cut levels in the nation's tap water.
EPA Cracks Down on Toxins Threatening Those Living Near Chemical Plants
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- April 9, 2024
- Full Page
Are you one of the estimated 104,000 Americans who lives within six miles of factories that spew organic chemicals into the air?
Say Goodbye to PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging: FDA
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- February 28, 2024
- Full Page
PFAS "forever" chemicals, increasingly linked to health risks, will no longer be added to food packaging handled by American consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.
"Grease-proofing materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [P...
Mercury Levels in Tuna Haven't Budged Since 1971
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- February 21, 2024
- Full Page
Mercury levels in tuna haven't changed since 1971, despite efforts to reduce emissions of the toxic metal into the environment, researchers report.
Their analysis of nearly 3,000 tuna samples caught in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans between 1971 and 2022 reveale...
Flame Retardant Chemicals Show Links to Preterm Birth
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 30, 2024
- Full Page
Pregnant women exposed to flame-retardant chemicals could face an increased risk of premature birth, a new study warns.
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are commonly used as flame retardants in products like furniture, baby items, electronics, clothes and building materials...
PFAS Chemicals May Harm Bones of Hispanic Teens
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 7, 2023
- Full Page
"Forever"PFAS chemicals appear to harm bone health in Hispanic teenagers, a new study finds.
The more PFAS chemicals found in the bodies of Hispanic adolescents, the lower their bone density was, researchers report in the Dec. 6 issue of the journal Environmental Res...
PFAS Chemicals Tied to Later Puberty in Girls
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 3, 2023
- Full Page
Exposure to ubiquitous chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, may delay puberty in girls, new research indicates.
The study is the first to consider the role hormones play in the delay, according to researchers from the University of Cincinnati....
Common Plastics Chemical Tied to Higher Odds for Postpartum Depression
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 26, 2023
- Full Page
Moms with higher prenatal levels of plastics chemicals known as phthalates may face a slightly increased risk of postpartum depression, according to a new study.
Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new mothers, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. ...
Tear Gas Might Harm a Woman's Reproductive Health
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 25, 2023
- Full Page
Researchers in Minnesota have uncovered a new link between tear gas exposures and negative effects on reproductive health.
The study was prompted by anecdotal reports of irregular menstrual cycles among protestors who were exposed to tear gas during the nationwide protes...
Common PFAS Chemicals Linked to Cancers in Women
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- September 19, 2023
- Full Page
Harmful "forever" chemicals are widespread in the environment, and new research hints they pose a particular health risk to women.
A new study suggests women who are exposed to higher levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are more likely to have b...
Cleaning Products, Even Green Ones, Emit Unhealthy Toxins
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 14, 2023
- Full Page
Everyday products used for cleaning or freshening the air may release hundreds of hazardous volatile organic compounds, according to new research.
Both conventional and "green" products emitted these VOCs in an analysis by the Environmental Working Group, though the gree...
Common Plastics Chemical Could Harm Boys' Development
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 4, 2023
- Full Page
Phthalates are commonly used in plastics, and researchers have now tied them to developmental issues in toddler boys who were exposed to the chemical in the womb.
Chemical Contamination on International Space Station Exceeds That Found Back Home
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 9, 2023
- Full Page
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are living in an environment that contains higher levels of potentially harmful chemicals than seen in American homes, new research reveals.
The discovery is important because it could guide the design of future spa...
Carcinogens Found at Montana Nuclear Missile Base as Cancer Cases Rise Nearby
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 8, 2023
- Full Page
An investigation into a high number of cancers at a Montana nuclear missile base has led to the discovery of unsafe levels of a likely carcinogen.
The hundreds of cancer cases appear to be connected to underground launch control centers at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Men's Use of Personal Care Products, and Chemicals They Contain, Has Doubled in 20 Years
- Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
- July 26, 2023
- Full Page
Men's use of personal care products has almost doubled since 2004, exposing them to some potentially harmful chemicals, a new study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) finds.
Overall, the average American adult uses 12 personal care products a day that...
Cleanup After Ohio Train Derailment Released Dangerous Gases: Report
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 13, 2023
- Full Page
The cleanup of industrial chemicals following a freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, early this year released high levels of some dangerous gases, including acrolein, investigators say.
The Norfolk Southern freight train was carry...
Beauticians, Hairdressers May Face Higher Odds for Ovarian Cancer
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- July 11, 2023
- Full Page
When thinking of people in high-risk jobs, hairdressers and beauticians don't immediately come to mind.
But cosmetologists have a much greater chance of developing ovarian cancer than the average woman, a new study reports.
Specifically, working for a decade or mor...
Nearly Half of Tap Water Americans Drink Is Tainted With PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 6, 2023
- Full Page
"Forever chemicals"are widespread in the environment, and new research finds they can be detected in about 45% of U.S. tap water samples.
The chemicals are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, and their spread through drinking water -- both tap and well --...
PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Blood of Pet Dogs, Horses
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- June 21, 2023
- Full Page
New research on horses and dogs found elevated levels of PFAS "forever chemicals,"establishing horses as sentinel species.
Sentinel species provide advance warning of a danger to people.
The work also advanced knowledge about PFAS exposure and liver and kidney func...
Gas Stove Chemical Tied to Higher Risk of Leukemia
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- June 16, 2023
- Full Page
Using gas stoves can increase indoor air levels of benzene, a chemical linked to higher risk of leukemia and other blood cell cancers, a new study reports.
Analysis of dozens of stoves revealed that a single gas cooktop burner on high or a gas oven set to 350 degrees Fah...
Black, Hispanic Americans More Likely to Have PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- May 16, 2023
- Full Page
Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are more often poor -- and also more likely to have harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water, a new study reveals.
Sources of PFAS pollution -- including major manufacturers, ...
Toxins From Grilling, Smoking & Car Exhaust Could Raise Odds for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- May 10, 2023
- Full Page
Toxic chemicals that develop from car exhaust, smoking and backyard grilling might increase your risk of developing the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.
These chemicals are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They form as coal, o...
Thousands of Tons of Toxic Chemicals Are Released Into American Homes Each Year
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- May 2, 2023
- Full Page
Many common household products emit airborne toxins that can harm your health in ways up to and including cancer, a new study reports.
Dozens of different types of consumer products contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that escape as gases and accum...
Each Year Spent Working With Certain Chemicals Raises Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- April 27, 2023
- Full Page
Jobs that regularly expose you to certain chemicals appear to steadily increase your risk of pancreatic cancer, a new analysis reports.
People with more than 20 years of exposure to some chemical agents had a 39% increased risk of pancreatic cancer, compared with an 11% ...
Black Hairdressers May Be at High Risk From Toxic Chemicals
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- January 31, 2023
- Full Page
Black and Hispanic women who work as hairdressers are exposed to an array of chemicals, including many that have not been previously identified, a small study finds.
Researchers found that compared with women of color in office jobs, hair stylists had higher levels of va...
Workplace Fumes, Dust Could Raise Odds for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 9, 2022
- Full Page
The air where you work could be increasing your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests.
Breathing in the fumes from commercial vapors, gases and solvents -- and even common dusts found in the workplace -- appears to increase chances of the chronic ...
Chemicals in Household Plastics May Raise Risk for Fibroids
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- November 15, 2022
- Full Page
Uterine fibroids can cause uncontrolled bleeding and infertility in women, and now a new study finds an unexpected culprit: Toxic chemicals called phthalates that are present in everything from fast-food packaging to plastic water bottles.
"We detected the phthalate DEHP...
'Healthier' Furniture Without PFAS Toxins Brings Healthier Offices
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- November 9, 2022
- Full Page
Equipping offices with "healthier" furnishings could reduce human exposure to risky PFAS chemicals, new research suggests.
To look at indoor PFAS levels, a team led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in Boston, analyzed building dust in classrooms and common c...
Use of Hair Straighteners Tied to Doubling of Risk for Uterine Cancer
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- October 20, 2022
- Full Page
Women who regularly use chemical hair straighteners may be more prone to developing uterine cancer, a new large government study suggests.
The study, which followed nearly 3...
Most U.S. Voters Want Products Free of Harmful Chemicals: Poll
- HealthDay Reporter
- By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter
- October 11, 2022
- Full Page
Do the majority of Americans want government to make sure the products they buy are free of harmful chemicals?
Yes, a new survey shows, and they are even willing to pay more to g...