Things Worth Noting
In Ripon, California, Weston Elementary School faced alarm in 2016–2019 when four students were diagnosed with rare childhood cancers (brain tumors, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma), plus cases among teachers and nearby preschoolers. Parents blamed a Sprint cell phone tower on campus for radiofrequency radiation exposure, despite measurements showing levels far below federal safety limits. […]
Testing food and drinks for contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, and other harmful substances is essential for public health and environmental protection. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” and microplastics, which accumulate in the food web, pose significant risks to human health, including cancers, immune system disruption, and metabolic disorders. These pollutants enter food through packaging, water, […]
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like PCBs, DDT, and PFAS accumulate in the fat of overweight and obese individuals, increasing risks of hormone disruption, immune issues, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. These lipophilic toxins, found in contaminated foods like farmed salmon and industrial byproducts, build up in adipose tissue, […]
Synthetic clothing, like polyester, nylon, and spandex, dominates fast fashion but poses health risks. Made from petrochemicals, these fabrics release toxic chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenols, and formaldehyde, which can disrupt hormones, cause skin irritation, and increase risks of diseases like thyroid issues, fertility problems, and cancers. Microplastics from these clothes shed during washing, polluting […]
The Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, revealed in 2015, exposed the company’s use of defeat device software in 11 million diesel vehicles, including Jetta, Golf, Passat, and Audi models, to cheat emissions tests. These cars emitted up to 40 times the legal NOx limits, worsening air pollution, smog, and health issues like asthma and heart problems. The […]
Microplastics in canned soda pose significant health risks and environmental concerns. These tiny plastic particles can leach into beverages from can linings, potentially causing inflammation and oxidative stress in consumers. Many plastics contain harmful additives like phthalates and BPA, which disrupt hormonal systems. Environmentally, microplastics contribute to pollution, harming aquatic ecosystems and entering the food […]
Over 99.9% of all species that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct. Causes of extinction include natural events like climate change and competition, as well as human-induced factors such as habitat loss, pollution, overhunting and climate change. Extinction has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human societies, including the loss of ecosystem services, vulnerability […]
Plastic is one of the most widely used materials in the world due to its versatility, durability, and affordability. However, the massive production and disposal of plastic have caused significant environmental problems, leading to concerns about whether plastic is destroying the world. Here are some of the ways in which plastic is impacting the environment: […]