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Health News Results - 53
EPA Designates Two 'Forever Chemicals' as Hazardous
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- April 22, 2024
- Full Page
Two common PFAS "forever chemicals" have been deemed hazardous substances by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Senate Passes Bill to Compensate More Americans Exposed to Radiation
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- March 8, 2024
- Full Page
More Americans exposed to radiation caused by the government would be compensated under a bill that passed the U.S. Senate Thursday.
The bipartisan legislation, which would cost an estimated $50 ...
Radon a Bigger Threat to Rural Homes
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- February 28, 2024
- Full Page
Rural homeowners face a greater threat from odorless, radioactive radon gas than people living in urban areas, and it's likely due to the wells they rely on for their water supply, a new study shows.
On average, people living in rural communities are exposed to 30% highe...
EPA Will Spend $5.8 Billion to Help Clean Up U.S. Drinking Water
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- February 20, 2024
- Full Page
Nearly $6 billion in funding will soon be spread through every U.S. state and territory as part of a massive, ongoing effort to clean up the nation's water supply, the Biden Administration announced Tuesday.
Despite the Evidence, Nearly 15% of Americans Deny Climate Change
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- February 16, 2024
- Full Page
Nearly 15% of Americans still deny that climate change is real, according to a new national assessment from the University of Michigan.
Evidence of climate change has been mounting, including science which has shown that climate-related natural disasters are growing in f...
More Cancers Linked to Contaminated Water at Camp LeJeune
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- February 1, 2024
- Full Page
A much anticipated government study finds that military personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1975 and 1985 face at least a 20% higher risk for certain cancers than those stationed elsewhere.
Why the increased risk?
For decades, the drinking...
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...
Nearly Half of Tap Water Americans Drink Is Tainted With PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 6, 2023
- Full Page
“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 we...
Half of America's Beaches Have Unsafe Pollution Levels: Report
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 6, 2023
- Full Page
A day at the beach can be fun with family and friends, but water pollution can ruin the experience.
The problem is more widespread than many might think: In a new report, the Environment America Research & Policy Center, a nonprofit organization, found that half of U.S. ...
What's in the Water? Maybe Germs That Could Harm You
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 4, 2023
- Full Page
Under the surface of your favorite swimming pool, beach and lakes, hazards too small to be seen by the naked eye may await.
And these bacteria, viruses and parasites can turn a refreshing plunge into a nasty infection.
“There's a variety of microorganisms that ca...
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...
EPA Proposes Limits on Dangerous Chemical Used by Medical Sterilization Plants
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- April 12, 2023
- Full Page
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed limiting the use of a chemical used to clean medical equipment in sterilizing plants because it also raises cancer risks for workers.
The agency plans to slash emissions of the odorless gas, called ethylene oxide, b...
Sea Spray Can Waft Polluted Coastal Water Inland
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- March 3, 2023
- Full Page
Sewage-polluted Southern California coastal waters become airborne in sea spray aerosol, and can spread to people on land, even beyond the beach, according to a new study.
California Files Suit Over 'Forever Chemicals' in Water
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- November 11, 2022
- Full Page
The state of California is suing several companies for their role in manufacturing "forever chemicals."
The lawsuit filed Thursday also claims that...
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...
Depression, PTSD Plague Flint Residents 5 Years After Water Crisis
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 21, 2022
- Full Page
An unprecedented water crisis continues to take a heavy toll on the mental health of adults in Flint, Michigan, a large survey shows.
Five years after the crisis, an estimated one in five — about 13,600 people — remained clinically depressed,
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Cleanup Put Workers at Risk for Asthma
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 22, 2022
- Full Page
Workers who cleaned up the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico were more likely than others to have developed asthma or related symptoms, a long-term follow-up shows.
"This is the first study to ever look at specific chemicals from oil spills and link ...
Pollutants in Soil Can Harm Your Heart
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 4, 2022
- Full Page
While it's more widely known that polluted air can harm human health, another danger may be lurking at your feet.
New research shows that soil, too, can contain contaminants that can impact health. These include pe...
PCBs Still a Health Threat Around the World
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
- June 2, 2022
- Full Page
Nations are falling short in their efforts to get rid of toxic PCB chemicals that pose a risk to human health and the environment, researchers report.
"We're only six years out from the Stockholm Convention's deadline to responsibly eliminate PCB stocks, but shockingly l...
Pollution Killed 9 Million People Worldwide in 2019
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
- May 18, 2022
- Full Page
Pollution from varied sources caused 9 million deaths worldwide in 2019, accounting for 1 in 6 of all deaths, a new study says.
Of those pollution-related deaths, three-quarters -- close to 7 million -- were caused by
Dangerous Germs Floating on Microplastics in Ocean Wind Up in Food, Water
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
- April 29, 2022
- Full Page
Land parasites that pose a risk to human and wildlife health can hitch rides on the millions of pounds of microplastics that float between oceans, a new study shows.
"It's easy for peopl...
Microplastics Found in Mussels That Humans Eat
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
- April 19, 2022
- Full Page
When you eat mussels or other seafood, you might also be getting a serving of microplastics, a new study suggests.
Demonstrating that plastic trash is everywhere, researchers discovered micr...
Humans Bear Blame for Red Tides
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
- April 18, 2022
- Full Page
Red tide is a scourge of Southwest Florida, often littering beaches with dead fish and marine life and disrupting plans for boating and bathing.
But Mother Nature isn't entirely to blame for this blight.
A new study confirms what some have long suspected - that hu...
Two-Thirds of U.S. Water Systems Contain Uranium
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
- April 8, 2022
- Full Page
Two-thirds of U.S. community water systems have detectable levels of uranium, and the highest levels are in Hispanic communities, according to a new study.
"Previous studies have found associations between chronic uranium exposure and increased risk of hypertension,...
EPA to Restore Rule Limiting Mercury Pollution From Power Plants
- Robert Preidt and Robin Foster
- February 1, 2022
- Full Page
Enforcement of a rule limiting power plant emissions of mercury and other hazardous pollutants will be resumed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday.
It's the latest move by the Biden administration to reinstate environmental protections lifted by th...
Most of Restaurant Menu Must Be Vegetarian Before Meat Eaters Make the Switch
- December 24, 2021
- Full Page
Meat eaters are far more apt to choose plant-based foods at restaurants if menus are at least 75% vegetarian, according to a new study.
Along with the health benefits, British researchers said getting more people to eat plant-based foods could help fight climate change.<...
Could Pollution Help Decide Your Baby's Sex?
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
- December 3, 2021
- Full Page
A boy or a girl? New research suggests that the air pregnant women breathe or the water they drink could play a role in their baby's sex.
The finding stems from t...
Millions of Tons of COVID Masks, Gloves Will End Up in Oceans
- Cara Murez
- November 9, 2021
- Full Page
While the lockdowns of the pandemic may have done the planet's atmosphere a favor, a new study predicts that discarded masks, gloves and face shields will add more than 25,000 tons of plastic waste to the world's oceans.
Researchers from Nanjing University's School of At...
'Forever Chemicals' Might Raise Risk of Pregnancy Complication
- Robert Preidt
- November 2, 2021
- Full Page
So-called "forever chemicals" might increase pregnant women's risk of a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia, researchers say.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used and long-lasting chemicals found in the drinking water of many U.S. communities.
A n...
EPA Plans New Strategy Against PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'
- Robert Preidt and Robin Foster
- October 18, 2021
- Full Page
MONDAY, Oct. 18, 2021 (HealthDay News) --- A new plan to limit pollution from so-called "forever chemicals" will include restricting their release into the environment and speeding cleanup of contaminated sites, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday.
...
Tree Rings Show Hurricanes Becoming Wetter, Longer, More Dangerous
- Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
- October 6, 2021
- Full Page
The rings of stately pines on the coasts of North and South Carolina offer telling long-term evidence of climate change and a chilling forecast for the future.
The upshot: The last 300 years have gotten wetter and wetter, making hurricanes ever more dangerous.
"Our...
How Your Medicines Make Their Way Into Rivers, Lakes and Bays
- Robert Preidt
- August 23, 2021
- Full Page
Leaky sewer pipes are to blame for large amounts of human medicines getting into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water, a new study reveals.
Researchers found that tens of thousands of doses of drugs get into Chesapeake Bay in Maryland every year due to seeping sewer p...
Even a Little Lead in Drinking Water Can Harm People With Kidney Disease
- Robert Preidt
- July 16, 2021
- Full Page
No amount of lead in drinking water is safe for people with kidney disease, a new study warns.
Low levels of lead in drinking water are widespread in the United States. These findings suggest that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules on allowable lead levels ...
Live Near a 'Superfund' Site? Your Life Span Might Be Shorter
- Robert Preidt
- April 19, 2021
- Full Page
Living near a Superfund hazardous waste site may shorten your life, new research suggests.
There are thousands of Superfund sites across the United States and they include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills and mines where hazardous waste was dumped, ...
Cancer Plagues California Sea Lions, With Implications for Humans
- Robert Preidt
- February 5, 2021
- Full Page
A virus-linked cancer killing California sea lions is sounding a chilling alarm for mankind.
Exposure to environmental toxins significantly boosts risk for the herpes-like cancer, which was discovered in sea lions in 1979.
Since then, between 18% and 23% of adult ...
Which Seafood Has the Highest Amount of Microplastics?
- Cara Murez
- December 28, 2020
- Full Page
Those mussels, oysters and scallops on your plate may come with a secret ingredient: microplastics.
Researchers at Hull York Medical School and the University of Hull in the United Kingdom reviewed more than 50 studies (from 2014 to 2020) to investigate the levels of mic...
Autopsies Show Microplastics in All Major Human Organs
- Dennis Thompson
- August 17, 2020
- Full Page
Microscopic bits of plastic have most likely taken up residence in all of the major filtering organs in your body, a new lab study suggests.
Researchers found evidence of plastic contamination in tissue samples taken from the lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys of donat...
Wildfire Pollution Puts Kidney Patients at Risk
- Steven Reinberg
- July 29, 2020
- Full Page
Air pollution caused by forest fires can be deadly for people with kidney failure, a new study suggests.
The tiny particles of air pollutants -- called fine particulate matter -- from wildfires can trigger inflammation in the lungs and further affect the delicate he...
Summer's Toxic Algae Blooms: A Growing Threat to Health?
- Dennis Thompson
- July 24, 2020
- Full Page
Every summer seems to bring fresh warnings of toxic algae blooming in local ponds, lakes and waterways.
These toxic blooms are known to be dangerous to human and animal health, but a new study suggests they might be even more harmful than previously thought.
<...
Will COVID Pandemic's Environmental Benefit Last?
- Steven Reinberg
- July 15, 2020
- Full Page
It has been the sole silver lining in the coronavirus pandemic -- cleaner air and water on the planet. But will it continue?
A new study says that isn't yet clear.
"The pandemic raises two important questions related to the environment," said study author C...
Don't Get Sick While Swimming This Summer
- Steven Reinberg
- June 30, 2020
- Full Page
Swimming and summer are practically synonymous, but getting sick from bacteria in lakes, rivers and the ocean can spoil the fun, U.S. health officials warn.
Since 2009, nearly 120 disease outbreaks in 31 states have been tied to untreated recreational water. But bein...
During Droughts, Many Poor Americans Will Lack Clean Tap Water: Study
- Robert Preidt
- April 30, 2020
- Full Page
Poor and minority Americans are most likely to lose access to clean tap water as droughts become more common and severe, a new paper says.
Water service in the United States is delivered by tens of thousands of community systems, most of which are small and funded lo...
Plastic Smells Like Lunch to Sea Turtles, Putting Them at Risk: Study
- Robert Preidt
- March 13, 2020
- Full Page
Sea turtles mistake the smell of stinky plastic for food, researchers say.
Sea turtles worldwide are threatened by marine plastic debris, mostly due to eating it and getting tangled in it, noted the authors of the study published March 9 in the journal Current Bio...
Even Dolphins Are Threatened by Antibiotic-Resistant 'Superbugs'
- Robert Preidt
- September 16, 2019
- Full Page
Scientists have found one more way Flipper is a lot like people: The sharp rise in antibiotic resistance affecting humans is also happening to dolphins.
The discovery stems from a 13-year study of bottlenose dolphins in Florida's Indian River Lagoon.
"We'v...
Diving Deeper Into Sunscreen's Impact on Marine Life
- Robert Preidt
- August 15, 2019
- Full Page
Is the sunscreen you slather on your body marketed as safe for coral reefs? New research suggests those claims may not be entirely true.
Trace metals and other compounds in many sunscreens have unknown effects on marine ecology, say researchers studying Mediterranean...
50 Years After Ban, Canadian Lakes Still Have High Levels of DDT
- Steven Reinberg
- June 13, 2019
- Full Page
Although DDT was banned in the 1970s, the toxic pesticide still lurks in the sediment of lakes in New Brunswick, Canada, researchers report.
To control insects, airplanes sprayed nearly 6,300 tons of DDT onto New Brunswick forests between 1952 and 1968.
Spr...
Your Drinking Water May Harbor Cancer-Causing Nitrate: Study
- Steven Reinberg
- June 12, 2019
- Full Page
Millions of tons of nitrate from industrial farming find their way into America's drinking water each year, causing thousands of cases of cancer and other health problems, an environmental advocacy group says.
In a new report, researchers from the Environmental Work...
Antibiotics Pollute Rivers Worldwide: Study
- Robert Preidt
- June 6, 2019
- Full Page
Levels of antibiotics in some of the world's rivers are hundreds of times higher than what's considered safe, British researchers report.
For the new study, investigators checked rivers in 72 countries on six continents for 14 widely used antibiotics and found them a...
Well Water's Spillover Effect: Heart Damage?
- Robert Preidt
- May 7, 2019
- Full Page
Does your home draw its water source from a well? A new study finds that well water may be injurious to heart health in young adults -- if it contains arsenic.
"People drinking water from private wells, which are not regulated, need to be aware that arsenic may incre...
Agent Orange's Toxic Legacy in Vietnam
- Robert Preidt
- March 11, 2019
- Full Page
A toxic byproduct of Agent Orange is still widespread in Vietnam's soil and water and is getting into food supplies, a new study claims.
Agent Orange was a chemical defoliant widely used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1975. The herbicide con...