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Pregnant Women Concerned About Chemical Exposure May Want to Avoid Makeup, Nail Polish and Hair Dye, New Study Suggests 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 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 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 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.
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Health News Results - 83

1 in 5 Americans' Drinking Water Tainted With PFAS Chemicals

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 chemicals, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated in the Oct. 24 issue...

Global Study Finds PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Common in Tap, Bottled Water

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, researchers report.

For example, the chemicals PFOA and PFOS were detected in more than 99% of bottled water samples tes...

PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Could Disrupt Sleep

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 Environmental Advances -- is the first to explore links between blood levels of four types of per...

Phenols, Found in Many Products, Could Upset Heart's Rhythms

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 rhythms.

“This is the first study to look at the impact of phenol exposure on cardiac electrical activity i...

California Bans 6 Artificial Dyes in Foods Served at Public Schools

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 California School Foo...

Almost 200 Chemicals Linked to Breast Cancer Are Found in Food Packaging

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 study warns.

Commonly used food packaging materials contain 189 chemicals that can potentially cause breast cancer, ...

Many Toxic Chemicals Leach Into Human Bodies From Food Packaging

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 reproductive issues, a team of international researchers reported Tuesday in the 

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 17, 2024
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    • FDA to Investigate Safety of Toxic Metals in Tampons

    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.

    The announcement follows the release of a study in July that found traces of lead and other metals in 30 tampons from 14 bra...

    Exposure to PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' in Pregnancy Could Boost Long-Term Obesity Risk

    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.

    Women with higher levels of PFAS in their blood during early pregnancy weighed more at the age of 50 than those with low levels, resear...

    Chemicals in Makeup, Sunscreen May Raise Odds for Dangerous Pregnancy Complication

    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 of gestation, researchers reported Aug. 14 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

    "We found che...

    EPA Bans Vegetable Pesticide That Can Harm Fetuses

    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 sprouts and cabbage.

    However, when a pregnant woman is exposed to the chemical, it can alter fetal thyroid hormon...

    Exposure to Plastics Chemical BPA May Raise Diabetes Risk

    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 a four-day period, researchers found.

    "We were surprised to see that reducing BPA exposure, such as using stainle...

    Feel Sick? Waiting at Least 2 Days Before COVID Test Is Best

    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 symptoms arise to use it, because the virus is unlikely to be detectable until then,"said study first author

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 26, 2024
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    • Many Louisiana Residents May Be Exposed to Sky-High Levels of Toxic Gas

    Many Louisiana residents are being exposed to a cancer-causing toxic gas that's used in industrial settings, researchers report.

    A cutting-edge mobile air-testing lab found dangerous levels of ethylene oxide along large stretches of Louisiana, sometimes at levels a thou...

    San Francisco Set to Ban 'Forever Chemicals' in Firefighter Gear

    San Francisco is on the verge of passing a ban on "forever chemicals" in the protective clothing firefighters wear while battling blazes.

    City lawmakers are expected to pass an ordinance on Tuesday that will prohibit the use of firefighting...

    Emulsifier Chemicals Are Everywhere in Foods. Could They Raise Diabetes Risk?

    Emulsifiers -- substances that are essential ingredients in processed foods -- appear to increase people's risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.

    In fact, the more emulsifiers that people eat as part of their food, the higher their risk of type 2 diabetes, researc...

    Chemicals Stored in Your Garage Could Raise Odds for ALS

    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.

    Exposures to each of these increased ALS risk around 15%, results show.

    Other chemicals found in garages tha...

    Seafood Can Pass on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals,' Study Finds

    Cancer-linked 'forever chemicals' made news this week, with the Biden Administration vowing to cut levels in the nation's tap water.

    New research finds that the chemicals, known as PFAS, can also contaminate the seafood Americans eat.

    No one i...

    EPA Cracks Down on Toxins Threatening Those Living Near Chemical Plants

    Are you one of the estimated 104,000 Americans who lives within six miles of factories that spew organic chemicals into the air?

    New rules issued Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency might make your life healthie...

    Say Goodbye to PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging: FDA

    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 [PFAS] are no longer being sold for use in food packaging in the U.S.,"

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 28, 2024
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    • Mercury Levels in Tuna Haven't Budged Since 1971

    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 revealed stable mercury concentrations in tuna during those five decades.

    The research team specifically looked at the tr...

    Flame Retardant Chemicals Show Links to Preterm Birth

    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, researchers said. The chemicals also make plastics more flexible.

    Manufacturers started using OPEs after flame r...

    PFAS Chemicals May Harm Bones of Hispanic Teens

    "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 Research.

    Peak bone mineral density in adolescence helps predict whether a person will develop osteoporosis late...

    PFAS Chemicals Tied to Later Puberty in Girls

    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.

    Delayed puberty can lead to negative long-term health outcomes for girls, such as a higher incidence of breast ca...

    Common Plastics Chemical Tied to Higher Odds for Postpartum Depression

    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. That makes it the most common post-delivery pregnancy complication.

    The NIH's Environmental Influences on Child H...

    Tear Gas Might Harm a Woman's Reproductive Health

    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 protests that followed the May 2020 murder of George Floyd.

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  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 25, 2023
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    • Common PFAS Chemicals Linked to Cancers in Women

    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 been diagnosed with certain cancers. Exposure is also linked to liver damage, fertility issues, high blood pressure and o...

    Cleaning Products, Even Green Ones, Emit Unhealthy Toxins

    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 green cleaners had less of them.

    "This study is a wake-up call for consumers, researchers and regulators to be more aw...

    Common Plastics Chemical Could Harm Boys' Development

    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.

    The new study links the chemicals to emotional and behavioral development issues in 2-year-old boys ...

    Chemical Contamination on International Space Station Exceeds That Found Back Home

    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 spacecraft.

    "Our findings have implications for future space stations and habitats, where it may be possible to exclu...

    Carcinogens Found at Montana Nuclear Missile Base as Cancer Cases Rise Nearby

    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.

    Levels of PCBs, an oily or waxy substance that is considered a

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 8, 2023
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    • Men's Use of Personal Care Products, and Chemicals They Contain, Has Doubled in 20 Years

    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 contain as many as 112 chemical ingredients. That's a change from the previous average of nine products with 126 unique...

    Cleanup After Ohio Train Derailment Released Dangerous Gases: Report

    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 carrying numerous hazardous chemicals. To avoid a catastrophic explosion after the Feb. 3 derailment, authorities opted for a...

    Beauticians, Hairdressers May Face Higher Odds for Ovarian Cancer

    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 more as a hairdresser, barber or beautician is associated with a threefold higher risk of ovarian cancer, according to a re...

    Nearly Half of Tap Water Americans Drink Is Tainted With PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'

    "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 -- may be even higher because researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) were unable to test for all of them, ...

    PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Blood of Pet Dogs, Horses

    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 function in these animals. PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of chemicals used in plastics and gre...

    Gas Stove Chemical Tied to Higher Risk of Leukemia

    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 Fahrenheit can raise indoor levels of benzene above those typically released by secondhand tobacco smoke, the researchers r...

    Black, Hispanic Americans More Likely to Have PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

    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, airports, military bases, wastewater treatment plants and landfills -- are disproportionately sited near watersheds that...

    Toxins From Grilling, Smoking & Car Exhaust Could Raise Odds for Rheumatoid Arthritis

    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, oil, gas, wood or tobacco burn. Flame grilling of meat and other foods also contribute to PAH formation, the researchers ...

    Thousands of Tons of Toxic Chemicals Are Released Into American Homes Each Year

    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 accumulate in indoor air, researchers from the Silent Spring Institute and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkele...

    Each Year Spent Working With Certain Chemicals Raises Risk of Pancreatic Cancer

    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% higher risk for 11 to 20 years' exposure and a 4% higher risk for 1 to 10 years' exposure, researchers found.

    "

    Black Hairdressers May Be at High Risk From Toxic Chemicals

    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 various chemicals in their urine. Those substances included expected ones -- ingredients known to be in salon products -- ...

    Workplace Fumes, Dust Could Raise Odds for Rheumatoid Arthritis

    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 autoimmune joint disorder, researchers reported Dec. 6 in the

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 9, 2022
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    • Chemicals in Household Plastics May Raise Risk for Fibroids

    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 and its breakdown products in much higher quantities in the urine of women who also happen to have symptomatic uterine ...

    'Healthier' Furniture Without PFAS Toxins Brings Healthier Offices

    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 campus spaces.

    "Our findings provide desperately needed scientific evidence for the success of healthier materials ...

    Use of Hair Straighteners Tied to Doubling of Risk for Uterine Cancer

    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 34,000 U.S. women over a decade, found that those who frequently used hair straighteners were 2.5 times more likely to de...

    Most U.S. Voters Want Products Free of Harmful Chemicals: Poll

    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 get that assurance of safety.

    "At a time when most issues are politically polarized, the issue of keeping people sa...

    Study Points to Jobs With Highest Risk for ALS

    People who work in manufacturing, welding and chemical operations and are exposed to hazardous chemicals may face a higher risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study found.

    "This study shows that certain occupational settings and exposures increase one's chances of...

    High Levels of PFAS 'Forever' Chemicals in Kids' School Uniforms

    Your children's school clothes may look neat, but are they safe to wear?

    Maybe not.

    Researchers found high levels of dangerous chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in school uniforms sold across North America. These chemicals -- which can build up in people and the enviro...

    With PFAS in Packaging, How Safe Is Microwave Popcorn?

    Munching handfuls of microwave popcorn might be perfect for movie night, but your snack could be loading your body with potentially harmful "forever chemicals," experts warn.

    Many microwave popcorn bags are lined with

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