Tag

Pfas

All articles tagged with #pfas

science-and-technology12 days ago•5 min saved

Patent data reveals hazardous solvents dominate chemistry despite green initiatives

A comprehensive analysis of 1.3 million chemical reactions in patents from 1976 to 2016 reveals that the use of hazardous solvents has increased rather than decreased over the past four decades. Despite nearly 30 years of efforts to promote greener alternatives, dangerous liquids like dichloromethane remain the preferred choice for over 70% of reactions in recent years. The study highlights a persistent reliance on petrochemical-derived solvents, even when regulations restrict specific toxic substances, often leading chemists to switch to other hazardous options rather than safer ones.

via Nature|

#green-chemistry #patents #pfas

environment28 days ago•4 min saved

North Carolina Secures Historic PFAS Settlement to Fund Cape Fear Water Upgrades

North Carolina reached a nearly $600 million settlement with DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva over PFAS contamination from the Fayetteville Works facility — the largest environmental-damage payment in state history. About $380 million will fund water-system improvements across 11 counties, with the rest covering long-term cleanup and infrastructure efforts over 15 years. The Cape Fear River supplies drinking water to hundreds of thousands downstream, and the case follows a 2017 EPA finding and a 2019 consent order; while the settlement advances cleanup, ongoing PFAS lawsuits remain, and a Cumberland County town hall on the issue is planned.

via ABC11 News|

#cape-fear-river #environment #environmental-settlement

environment29 days ago•0 min saved

North Carolina seals $455 million PFAS settlement with three chemical giants

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva have reached a $455 million settlement with North Carolina and 11 local entities over PFAS contamination linked to the Fayetteville Works plant and other discharges. Payments will be spread over 15 years, with Chemours bearing about half the cost and DuPont and Corteva splitting the remainder. The settlement resolves the state and local government lawsuits excluded from a separate U.S. public water system class settlement approved in 2024 and covers PFAS-related claims beyond Fayetteville Works, including AFFF-related pollution. It acknowledges progress under a 2019 consent order that included investments to reduce PFAS emissions and address off-site impacts.

via The Guardian|

#chemours #environment #fayetteville-works

environment29 days ago•1 min saved

NC Secures $590M Deal to Clean Cape Fear Drinking Water After Chemours Pollution

North Carolina’s attorney general announced a historic settlement with Chemours totaling about $590 million to address PFAS contamination along the Cape Fear River, with roughly $380 million going to local governments, $75 million to the state PFAS cleanup fund, and a $135 million reserve to cover potential Dupont liability if Chemours goes bankrupt; the deal aims to secure clean drinking water for about 500,000 downstream residents and hold the company accountable for past pollution.

via wect.com|

#cape-fear-river #chemours #drinking-water

environment1 month ago•18 min saved

UV-triggered hydrated electrons reveal deeper PFAS defluorination routes

This study maps how PFAS degrade under UV irradiation with sulfite by generating hydrated electrons (eaq−). Across three PFAS families, degradation proceeds via sequential reactions with eaq−, hydroxyl radicals, and hydroxide, causing C–C bond cleavage and requiring carboxylate groups for further defluorination. Higher pH both preserves eaq− and promotes fragmentation and C=C formation, accelerating degradation. Notably, the main initial product is formate, not CO2 or CO, refining the mechanistic picture and informing both PFAS remediation strategies and the design of more degradable fluorochemicals.

via Nature|

#defluorination #environment #hydrated-electrons

health1 month ago•4 min saved

California bill would require diaper makers to disclose toxic chemical ingredients

A California bill would require diaper manufacturers to publicly list all intentionally added ingredients and their functions by 2028, with packaging labeling by 2029, to curb exposure to toxins such as phthalates, PFAS, lead, VOCs and fragrances. Advocates say transparency could pressure brands to reformulate toward safer products and help parents make informed choices, while industry groups argue diapers already meet safety standards. If passed, the legislation could set a precedent for other states and shift market demand toward non-toxic options.

via The Guardian|

#diapers #health #pfas

health1 month ago•14 min saved

Can Sparkling Water Raise Colorectal Cancer Risk? Evidence Is Still Emerging

The piece reviews concerns that canned sparkling water could carry PFAS from can linings and potentially raise colorectal cancer risk. While some studies detect PFAS in beverages, levels are usually below federal advisory limits, and no direct link to colon cancer has been proven. Experts say PFAS may contribute to cancer risk via gut inflammation or DNA interactions, but the science is evolving and inconclusive. Moderation, varied beverage choices, and attention to established colorectal cancer risk factors are advised while regulators continue researching.

via HuffPost|

#cancer-risk #colorectal-cancer #health

environment1 month ago•5 min saved

Maine bets on mental health support to help PFAS-impacted farmers

Maine is launching a networked mental-health support system for farmers affected by PFAS contamination, training crisis-line staff and creating peer mentors to address trauma and financial stress while continuing financial safety nets and farm buyback efforts.

via pressherald.com|

#environment #farming #maine

science1 month ago•6 min saved

Cholesterol-filter Therapy May Also Sweep PFAS and Microplastics From Blood

Therapeutic apheresis, a blood-filtering therapy for lowering lipoproteins in severe cardiovascular disease, was found in small studies to also reduce circulating PFAS levels—up to 25% after one session in one protocol and 43.5–75.8% across five PFAS in another—while microplastic results were mixed and subject to measurement challenges. Researchers caution that these are exploratory, with small sample sizes and methodological differences; there is no proven reduction in total body PFAS or microplastics burden, and more controlled trials are needed before considering apheresis as a pollutant detox.

via ScienceAlert|

#cardiovascular-disease #lipoproteins #microplastics

science2 months ago•48 min saved

Today’s Everyday Things, Tomorrow’s Health Hazards: Readers Predict the Next Asbestos

A BuzzFeed Community post collects readers’ predictions about which everyday items and habits could be proven harmful in the future, ranging from microplastics and PFAS to AI-driven social media, scented products, vaping, and long-term effects of COVID, highlighting concerns about environmental exposures, consumer goods, and modern lifestyles becoming health risks down the line.

via buzzfeed.com|

#long-covid #microplastics #pfas

science2 months ago•13 min saved

Blood filtration may also scrub 'forever chemicals' from the body, study finds

A study of plasmapheresis, a blood-filtering technique used to lower cholesterol, found that it also reduced levels of several PFAS 'forever chemicals' and microplastics in patients’ blood, with PFAS dropping up to about 25%. However, the results are not yet proven in a controlled trial, and researchers caution that preventing exposure remains the primary solution while further research is conducted.

via The Independent|

#apheresis #blood-filtration #forever-chemicals

business2 months ago•24 min saved

Driscoll’s hit with class-action over PFAS in strawberries

A consumer-fraud class-action accuses Driscoll’s of selling strawberries marketed as “Only the Finest Berries” that allegedly contain PFAS forever chemicals and other pesticide residues; six plaintiffs from several states say the marketing misled them, citing a lab report. The suit also references a whistleblower claim that executives prioritized profits over pesticide compliance, while Driscoll’s denies the allegations and defends its safety programs.

via New York Post|

#business #class-action #consumer-fraud

public-health3 months ago•4 min saved

FDA declines to cap PFAS in foods, opting for non-binding action levels

The FDA rejected a petition by the Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force to set formal PFAS limits in food, instead proposing non-binding action levels and indicating it will pursue standards later. The group plans to sue, arguing that if PFAS are regulated in water they should be limited in food. Independent testing has found PFAS in seafood and milk, as well as in various foods and packaging, underscoring ongoing exposure concerns. PFAS are a broad class of persistent chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues, and critics say the FDA’s testing and regulatory approach remains insufficient to protect consumers.

via The Guardian|

#fda #food-safety #pfas

health3 months ago•2 min saved

Prenatal PFAS Exposure Linked to PMOS Risk in Daughters

A Harvard-led study of about 325 mother–daughter pairs from Project Viva found that higher PFAS levels in mothers during pregnancy were associated with daughters who later developed PMOS (the renamed PCOS) and acne, with about 2.3–2.7× higher odds. Specific chemicals such as N-EtFOSAA and PFNA were linked to PMOS and acne. While the findings add to evidence of PFAS as endocrine disruptors, the study’s small, mostly white, highly educated sample means more research is needed. Practical tips include avoiding stain guards and other high-PFAS textiles and choosing organic, home-cooked meals to reduce exposure.

via The Guardian|

#endocrine-disruption #health #note-only-five-allowed-included-six-due-to-clarity-please-trim-to-five

health4 months ago•28 min saved

Vitamin D Supplements Expose Contaminants in Independent Lab Study

Mamavation (in partnership with Environmental Health News) tested 11 popular Vitamin D supplements (mostly D3 with K2) in EPA-certified labs for PFAS, glyphosate, 500+ pesticides, phthalates, and heavy metals. Findings showed every product contained ortho-phthalates; no samples exceeded California Prop 65 limits for heavy metals, though 9 of 11 had detectable metals and 1 had none. 64% had other pesticides, and 9% contained specific PFAS; anthraquinone appeared in several brands around 10 ppb. One extreme outlier was dominated by DINP contamination. The report suggests contamination can enter at multiple points in the supply chain (capsules, fillers, packaging) and emphasizes the value of separate analyses of capsules versus fill materials. Results underscore that even expensive supplements can carry measurable contaminants, highlighting the importance of independent testing and transparent sourcing for consumers.

via Mamavation|

#glyphosate #health #heavy-metals