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'Hidden Killer' Radon Could Raise Your Stroke Risk
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- February 1, 2024
- Full Page
Radon, an invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas, appears to raise a person's risk of stroke, a new study suggests.
Already known as the second leading cause of lung cancer, these new findings suggest exposure to radon can increase risk of stroke by as much as 14...
Lead-Tainted Applesauce May Contain Another Toxin, Chromium
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- January 8, 2024
- Full Page
Applesauce fruit puree pouches under recall and investigation for toxic lead levels may also contain another toxin, chromium, according to an
Phthalates, Found in Everyday Products, Might Lower Fertility
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 20, 2023
- Full Page
Exposure to a common chemical group found in many household products may delay or even prevent a woman from becoming pregnant, a new study says.
Phthalates can lower a woman's odds of becoming pregnant by up to 18% in any given month, researchers report in the journal
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 Environmenta...
Breast Cancer Rates Higher in Urban vs. Rural Areas
- Ernie Mundell and Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporters
- November 22, 2023
- Full Page
Environmental contaminants may be driving higher rates of breast cancer in urban areas compared to rural locales, a new North Carolina study finds.
“Our analyses indicate significant associations between environmental quality and breast cancer incidence," said lead aut...
Most Americans Know Little About Harmful PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- November 21, 2023
- Full Page
Nearly half of Americans have never heard of health-threatening PFAS “forever chemicals,” a new survey has found.
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a category of thousands of manufactured chemicals that have become an emerging concern to enviro...
Could Cellphones Be Harming Men's Sperm?
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- November 1, 2023
- Full Page
Cellphone use might be blunting a fellow's chances of becoming a father, a major new study reports.
Young men who frequently use mobile phones have lower sperm concentrations and sperm counts than guys who rarely dial on the go, Swiss researchers found using more than a ...
Neighborhood Parks Could Help Your Aging Brain
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 26, 2023
- Full Page
A variety of risks can make it more likely that someone develops Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
Now you can add neighborhood environment to that list. A new study finds low income levels and a lack of green spaces are among the factors that can harm brain health...
EPA to Ban Carcinogenic Chemical Found in Degreasers, Cleaners
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 24, 2023
- Full Page
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to ban a cancer-causing chemical commonly used as a furniture cleaner and degreaser.
The ban would prohibit most uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) within one year. Limited remaining commercial and industrial uses woul...
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....
Could Artificial Sweeteners in Processed Food Raise Depression Risk?
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
- September 20, 2023
- Full Page
Highly processed packaged foods and drinks may be quick, cheap and tasty, but new research suggests they're also likely to up your risk for depression.
Among big consumers of ultra-processed foods, depression risk may rise by as much as 50%, the new study found, particul...
Parks, Playgrounds Built on Old Dump Sites Could Be Hotspots for Lead
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 15, 2023
- Full Page
That beautiful park you walk through could be hiding dangerous levels of lead. So, too, could the soil under the play equipment where your children slide and swing.
New research in the United States finds that urban parks built on sites where waste was incinerated ...
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...
As Another Hurricane Targets Florida, Experts Warn of Carbon Monoxide Dangers
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 30, 2023
- Full Page
Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall in the United States Wednesday.
Idalia was forecast to be a powerful Category 3 storm by the time it reaches Florida's Big Bend, an area prone to storm surge that stretches from Tampa to just south of Tallahassee. It's also e...
'Eco-Friendly' Paper Straws Contain Harmful PFAS Chemicals
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 25, 2023
- Full Page
Paper straws, meant to be an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, may not be better for the environment, a new study concludes, warning that they also contain “forever chemicals” that can harm human health.
“Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and...
Extreme Heat Taxes the Brain, and Some Face Higher Risks
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- August 24, 2023
- Full Page
With 2023 predicted to be the hottest year on record, a new study is pointing to another potential consequence of heat waves: faster declines in older adults' memory and thinking skills.
Fracking Tied to Lymphomas, Asthma in New Study
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 16, 2023
- Full Page
Research into a possible link between childhood health problems and natural gas wells in western Pennsylvania is wrapping up with some answers.
Children who lived near these wells were more likely to develop rare lymphoma, the research found.
In addition, residents...
PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Some Period Products
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 14, 2023
- Full Page
Some menstrual products -- pads, tampons, cups and underwear -- contain harmful “forever chemicals,” according to new research into the contents of these essential items.
Researchers analyzed more than 100 period products looking for fluorinated compounds, an indicat...
Moving Into a Smoker's Former Home? You May Need to Toss the Carpet
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 14, 2023
- Full Page
If you're moving into a home where smokers lived, the first thing you should do to protect your lungs is rip out any old carpeting, new research suggests.
Scientists found that tobacco smoke clings to carpet fibers long after smoking has stopped, and ozone generators tha...
Surgeons Are Finding Microplastics in Human Hearts
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 10, 2023
- Full Page
Microplastics appear to be everywhere, including within the tissues of the human heart.
A new Chinese report describes doctors finding microplastics in heart tissue both before and after heart surgery. The researchers also noted there is evidence suggesting that micropla...
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...
Could Exposure to Lead Early in Life Raise Odds for Criminality Later?
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 2, 2023
- Full Page
Being exposed to lead while in the womb or during early childhood may increase a person's chance of engaging in criminal behavior as an adult, a new review claims.
To arrive at this conclusion, the review authors evaluated 17 previous studies that used varying methods to...
EPA Toughens Lead Standards in Older Homes, Buildings
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 12, 2023
- Full Page
U.S. federal officials took a big step toward protecting children from a contaminant blamed for irreversible health effects, proposing tougher standards for removing lead-based paint in pre-1978 buildings and child care facilities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agenc...
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...
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...
Microplastics You Inhale Are Getting Lodged in Airways
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- June 13, 2023
- Full Page
Humans are inhaling microplastics from the degradation of plastic products in the environment, and these tiny plastic particles are sticking in human airways, according to researchers.
People inhale about 16.2 bits of these microplastics every hour --- the equivalen...
Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds -- and Maybe Humans, Too
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- May 30, 2023
- Full Page
Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report.
Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in...
Degreasing Chemical Tied to Higher Odds for Parkinson's Disease
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- May 17, 2023
- Full Page
A chemical used to degrease industrial parts that was also used as a surgical anesthetic until the 1970s may increase the risk for Parkinson's disease, researchers report.
Their new study found that two years of heavy exposure to the liquid chemical TCE may boost Parkins...
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...
Oil & Gas Production Takes Toll in U.S. Lives, Health Costs
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- May 8, 2023
- Full Page
Pollutants produced by the U.S. oil and gas industry cause thousands of deaths and cost the country tens of billions in health care expenses, a new study reports.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter and ozone all contribute to air pollution, and all are emitt...
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...
U.S. to Tighten Control of PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- March 14, 2023
- Full Page
U.S. water utilities will be required to remove certain “forever chemicals” from drinking water as the Biden administration sets first-ever limits on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, better known as known as PFAS.
Nearly all Americans have PFAS in their ...
Consumer Reports Warns of Mercury in Canned Tuna
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- February 10, 2023
- Full Page
Canned tuna is known to contain low levels of mercury, but a new Consumer Reports investigation has found spikes of the neurotoxin in some cans.
The organization tested five popular tuna brands, CBS News reported.
While the mercury levels were all within U...
Common Plastics Chemical Tied to Higher Diabetes Risk in Women
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- February 9, 2023
- Full Page
Chemicals found in plastic personal care products, kids' toys, and food and drink packaging could be raising the risk of type 2 diabetes among women, new research suggests.
To study the impact of these chemicals, known as phthalates, researchers followed just over 1,300 ...
How Are Toxins Like Lead, Arsenic Getting Into Baby Foods?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- February 8, 2023
- Full Page
Parents in the United States may assume baby food is free of impurities, but a recent research review highlights the much different reality: Most foods made for babies and toddlers have some amount of toxic heavy metals.
The contaminants include metals, such as lead and ...
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...
Is Your Gas Stove Making You Sick? Experts Weigh In
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- January 27, 2023
- Full Page
Natural gas stoves have become the latest flashpoint in America's increasingly volatile political culture, after a top federal regulator publicly mulled over banning the appliances.
"This is a hidden hazard," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) commissione...
As Eviction Rates Rise, So Do Local Death Rates, U.S. Study Finds
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- December 29, 2022
- Full Page
Being evicted can have a significant impact on a person's health, according to new research.
In U.S. counties where eviction rates were elevated, death rates were higher for all causes, especially if those areas were home to a higher proportion of Black residents and wom...
In U.S., Minority Communities More Likely to Have Water Contaminated by Toxic Metals
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- December 28, 2022
- Full Page
U.S. communities with higher Hispanic, American Indian or Black populations also have the highest concentrations of metal in public water systems, new research reveals.
Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City found significan...
Crafting Meals for Astronauts: Healthy Dining in Outer Space
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- December 26, 2022
- Full Page
Diets higher in fruit, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids could improve astronaut health during long spaceflights while still sticking to requirements for what can go on board, according to new research.
A new study tested this theory on a spaceflight simulation chamber...
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 DE...
Growing Up With Lead in Drinking Water May Dull Brain in Old Age
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- November 10, 2022
- Full Page
Lead is known to damage young children's brains, and a new study suggests the effects may still be apparent in old age.
Researchers found that among nearly 1,100 older U.S. adults, those who grew up in cities with lead-contaminated drinking water generally scored worse o...
'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...
Woman Sues L'Oreal Over Claim Hair Straightener Spurred Uterine Cancer
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 25, 2022
- Full Page
A Missouri woman has sued L'Oréal and several other beauty product companies, alleging that their hair-straightening products caused her uterine cancer.
Even Alligators Might Be Harmed by PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 20, 2022
- Full Page
Alligators along North Carolina's Cape Fear River have high blood levels of 14 toxic chemicals, along with signs of immune system damage, new research shows.
The study of levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyls (PFAS) in the reptiles' blood adds to concerns that the chemica...
Most U.S. Voters Want Products Free of Harmful Chemicals: Poll
- 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...
EPA Could Get Tough on Leaded Fuel in Airplanes
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 7, 2022
- Full Page
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a major step to curb the largest remaining source of airborne lead pollution.
The agency has proposed a so-called endangerment finding that aircraft that use leaded fuel cause or contribute to
High Levels of PFAS 'Forever' Chemicals in Kids' School Uniforms
- By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter
- September 21, 2022
- Full Page
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 (
With PFAS in Packaging, How Safe Is Microwave Popcorn?
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- August 31, 2022
- Full Page
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.
Pregnant Women Face Exposures to Dangerous Chemicals Daily
- By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- August 30, 2022
- Full Page
Pregnant women are exposed to toxic chemicals in dishware, hair coloring, plastics and pesticides that can heighten their risk of cancer and harm child development, a new study warns.