All articles tagged with #chemical contaminants
The UK Food Standards Agency has issued a warning that certain US-made Jolly Rancher candies contain chemical compounds (MOAH and MOSH) that could damage DNA and increase cancer risk, prompting a recall and urging consumers and businesses to stop selling or consuming these products, although the immediate health risk is low.
A new study has found that children exposed to higher levels of pesticides, fungicides, and synthetic chemicals in the womb are more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) during childhood. These chemicals, known as "obesogens," interfere with metabolism and hormones, potentially promoting obesity. The study measured levels of 23 common contaminants in the blood and urine of expectant mothers and followed the growth and development of their children. Persistent chemicals such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were associated with increased risk of low birth weight and accelerated BMI growth. The study highlights the need for further research on the health implications of prenatal environmental chemical exposure. Expectant mothers are advised to limit exposure to toxic chemicals by avoiding plastic containers, non-stick pans, certain fish, and using certified water filters, among other precautions.
A study using unbiased computer modeling determined that volcanic eruptions from the Deccan Traps shield volcano were the likely cause of the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Another study found that children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have a reduced ability to clear the chemical compound Bisphenol A (BPA) from their systems. Researchers at The Ohio State University developed a technique using ultrasound degradation to treat PFAS toxins in contaminated groundwater. NASA released a time-lapse video showing matter from a 20,000-year-old supernova continuing to hurtle into space. Social science researchers discovered a phenomenon called "honesty drain," where honest people tend to migrate away from areas with widespread cheating, leading to negative consequences for the region.