All articles tagged with #chemical pollution
Research indicates that disposable face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic are degrading and releasing microplastics and harmful chemicals like endocrine disruptors into the environment, posing risks to human and animal health and highlighting the need for more sustainable mask solutions.
Researchers warn of an invisible health threat from 'novel entities,' chemicals not found in nature, present in air, food, and water, which pose risks comparable to climate change. These substances, estimated at 100 million introduced by industry, are poorly monitored and can impact human health, especially reproductive health. Current testing methods are inadequate, and exposure has already caused significant health losses. Experts call for increased research, funding, and consumer demand for safer products to mitigate this hidden danger.
A new report warns that chemical pollution poses a threat comparable to climate change, with over 100 million synthetic chemicals in use and widespread contamination affecting human health and the environment, highlighting the need for increased awareness, better testing methods, and consumer-driven solutions.
Residents of France's 'chemical valley' are suing chemical companies after discovering high levels of PFAS chemicals in their bloodstreams, linked to health issues like cancer and Parkinson's; this case could be the largest of its kind in Europe, highlighting concerns over persistent 'forever chemicals' and their widespread contamination.
Researchers have found that juvenile Brazilian sharpnose sharks off the coast of Brazil are contaminated with cocaine, likely due to pollution from drug trafficking and wastewater, raising concerns about the impact of chemical pollutants on marine life and ecosystems.
A new analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine warns of the serious health risks posed by chemical pollution associated with the rapid growth of the petrochemical industry. The report highlights a concerning increase in neurodevelopmental issues, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and certain cancers, particularly in young people. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in plastics and other products are identified as a key threat, with people of color and those in disadvantaged communities being most exposed. The paper calls for stricter safety testing of chemicals, increased tracking of chemical exposures, and the implementation of bans on single chemicals and single-use plastics to mitigate these health risks.
Hundreds of rescuers are racing against time to find nine workers trapped in a gold mine in eastern Turkey after a massive landslide. Concerns about dangerous chemical leaks and environmental disaster are mounting as the mine is located near the Euphrates River. The mine's operators have faced previous environmental violations, and calls to permanently close the mine have been made. Efforts to contain potential chemical pollution are underway, while the company's production has been suspended, leading to a significant drop in its stock value.