forever chemicals

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Erin Brockovich: Consider 'Forever Chemicals' as You Vote

She was alarmed by Supreme Court's decision overturn the 40-year-old Chevron precedent

(Newser) - Erin Brockovich's fight isn't over. In an op-ed for the New York Times , the consumer advocate and environmental activist makes the case that voters should contemplate how protected they want to be from "forever chemicals" when they cast their ballot in November. "People like to talk...

3M Scientist Regrets Role in Study of Forever Chemicals

ProPublica reports on the company's long-standing knowledge about dangers of PFOS

(Newser) - Back in the 1990s, a 3M chemist named Kris Hansen discovered a surprising and troubling thing: Toxic "forever chemicals" were showing up in every blood sample she tested—from ordinary people all over the country. As ProPublica reports, Hansen shared the findings with superiors, only to run into friction....

EPA Goes After Forever Chemicals in Your Water

Biden administration sets new, enforceable drinking water standards

(Newser) - In what some are calling a "huge breakthrough," the Biden administration on Wednesday laid out the first national standard to limit "forever chemicals" in drinking water. These long-lasting chemicals, found in the blood of nearly every American, help nonstick cookware, outdoor furniture, disposable packaging, and other products...

They Thought Their Drinking Water Was Safe. Now, a Lawsuit

Wisconsin city of Wausau sues PFAS makers, insurance firms over groundwater contamination

(Newser) - A Wisconsin city has filed a lawsuit against more than a dozen manufacturers of so-called forever chemicals, claiming the contaminants have polluted the city's groundwater. The complaint filed Thursday on behalf of Wausau is against 15 makers of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), as well as 61 insurance companies,...

3M Reaches $10.3B Settlement in 'Forever Chemicals' Cases

Water providers will be compensated for pollution with PFAS

(Newser) - Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over contamination of many US public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and a host of consumer products, the company said Thursday. The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with...

EPA Makes Big Move on 'Forever Chemicals'

Agency proposes first federal limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water

(Newser) - The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed the first federal limits on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water, a long-awaited protection the agency said will save thousands of lives and prevent serious illnesses, including cancer. The plan would limit toxic PFAS chemicals to the lowest level that tests can...

Ex-Phillies Got Brain Cancer After Playing on Artificial Turf

'Philadelphia Inquirer' digs into the cluster of rare glioblastoma cases

(Newser) - The Philadelphia Inquirer is out with a jarring story about that city's baseball team: The newspaper reports that six former members of the Philadelphia Phillies died of the rare brain cancer glioblastoma, and one thing they had in common is that they played on artificial turf at the since-demolished...

Study May Turn You Off Fish Caught in US Lakes, Rivers

Eating one freshwater fish is like drinking contaminated water for a month, study says

(Newser) - Scientists seeking to limit human exposure to "forever chemicals"—which don't break down easily in the environment—have found alarming levels of contamination in fish caught in America's lakes and rivers. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Research, eating a single freshwater fish...

Forever Chemicals Invade Orcas—and Their Fetuses
Forever Chemicals Invade
Orcas—and Their Fetuses
NEW STUDY

Forever Chemicals Invade Orcas—and Their Fetuses

'We need to think about how this could affect our health,' says researcher

(Newser) - Researchers say they're "shocked and saddened" to have discovered toxic chemicals, including "forever chemicals," in the bodies of killer whales, including endangered southern resident orcas, whose population decline could be a direct result. Scientists from the University of British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and BC'...

3M: We'll Stop Making 'Forever Chemicals'

Industry giant announces a big move on PFAS linked to cancers

(Newser) - The conglomerate 3M announced a big move Tuesday on what have come to be known as "forever chemicals"—the company will stop making them and plans to be rid of them entirely by the end of 2025, reports CNN . Such chemicals are more formally known as perfluoroalkyl and...

Alligator Study Finds 'Harbingers of Dangers to Human Health'

High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in Cape Fear River gators

(Newser) - Alligators in the Cape Fear River have "extremely high levels of PFAS compounds and markers of immune disease in their blood," according to a new study by researchers in North Carolina, per the Guardian. The so-called “forever chemicals” appear to have had noticeable health impacts on the...

Discovery Means 'Forever Chemicals' May Get a Death Date
Simple Remedy
Provides Hope on
'Forever Chemicals'
NEW STUDY

Simple Remedy Provides Hope on 'Forever Chemicals'

Researchers describe novel method of breaking down PFAS safely and cheaply

(Newser) - Scientists know them as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Everyday folk know them as "forever chemicals." However you refer to them, these chemicals, resistant to liquid and heat and used in everyday products from cosmetics to paint to paper to food packaging , are toxic at certain levels...

12 Stories