EHN

A recent study published by Imène Kacem et al. in Frontiers in Psychiatry found an association between electric power plant workers’ exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and negative impacts to mental health and sleep quality. ELF-EMF, commonly referred to simply as EMF, is an exposure people experience from close proximity to electrical grid infrastructure, includ…

In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , researchers examined whether American dietary guidelines designed to promote optimal nutrition during pregnancy also helped minimize exposure to toxic chemicals. In short: Pregnant women who more closely followed the United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) had lower exposure levels to some phthalates, bisphen…

In a recent study published by The Lancet Planetary Health , researchers examined the health costs of pollutants released by plastics across their full lifecycle and emphasized the need for international policy that reduces plastic production. In short: Every stage of the plastic lifecycle contributes to human health threats including global warming, air pollution, cancer, and disease, with prima…

Four international cardiology societies — the American Heart Association , the American College of Cardiology , the European Society of Cardiology , and the World Heart Federation — issued a joint statement urging for regulatory action to address the role of toxic environmental exposures in cardiovascular disease. In short: Growing evidence shows environmental exposures — including air pollution,…

According to a 2025 study published in Environmental Science & Technology , children’s mattresses release harmful chemicals that can contaminate infants’ sleeping environments — where they typically spend a large portion of their time. In short: 21 toxic chemicals were released by the mattresses tested, including multiple phthalates, flame retardants, plasticizers and other chemicals associated w…

An article published in Nature Medicine highlights the ubiquitous presence of synthetic chemicals in the global food supply and emphasizes the need to transition to a safer, more sustainable food system. In short: The industrial global food system relies heavily on synthetic chemicals — including pesticides, additives, plastics and food contact materials — to preserve perishable foods. There are …

A new review paper published in Frontiers in Public Health details the outdated policies and gaps in oversight and enforcement that characterize the U.S.’ regulatory framework for cell towers, cell phones, Wi-Fi and wireless radiation. The author, Theodora Scarato, is the director of Environmental Health Sciences’ Wireless & EMF program . In short: The FCC has regulatory authority over cell tower…

A new study published in Environmental Research by Thielens et al. measured environmental levels of radiofrequency radiation (RF) - the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell towers, 4G/5G and other wireless networks - across all five boroughs of New York City and found levels over 100 times higher than those previously reported by the EPA in 1976. In short: Manhattan had the highest RF levels…

A recent review published in Current Environmental Health Reports found that two types of chemical hair straighteners - relaxers and keratin treatments - each contain multiple classes of known toxic chemicals. In short: Across 21 studies and reports, hair straightening treatments were found to contain multiple chemicals of concern, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), carcinogenic che…

A recent review published by Tojza et al. in Applied Sciences examined the impacts of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation (ELF-EMF) - a type of non-ionizing radiation emitted by electric substations, power lines, appliances, and electronic devices- on the endocrine system, which regulates the body via hormones. Hormones act as chemical messengers to every organ in the bo…

According to a review published in Current Approaches in Psychiatry by Neriman Ezgin, increasing experimental evidence suggests that exposure to wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation during pregnancy and early childhood may impact neurodevelopment and behavior. In short: Animal studies show that exposure to RF radiation during critical developmental windows can alter neurodevelopment, cognitive …

Scientists have developed a new material made from cellulose that matches some performance traits of fossil fuel-based plastics while remaining highly recyclable, according to a new study published in Science Bulletin. In short: “Celluplastic” is a film made of wood-derived cellulose that is transparent, colorless, and stretchable, unlike many existing bioplastics. In laboratory tests, celluplast…

A recent study published by Lindecke et al. in Science found that brief exposures to wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation, a type of electromagnetic field (EMF), disrupted flight navigation in bats for several hours beyond the exposure period. In short: Bats exposed to RF radiation consistently flew in random directions, rather than the normal directional behavior of the nonexposed controls. Th…

A 2023 study published in Science Advances by Molina-Montenegro et al. found that exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation emitted by high-voltage transmission power line towers induced significant physiological stress in honeybees and negatively impacted their pollination behavior. In short: EMF-exposed honeybees showed changes in the expression of genes related to navigation, foraging,…

A recent review published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety , co-authored by Environmental Health Sciences staff, examined different categories of lifestyle interventions – including changes to diet, product choices, and home environment – and found evidence linking each to a reduction in exposure to some endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In short: Overall, dietary changes such as re…

A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology provides the first insights to potential immune system impacts from exposure to the toxic pollutants released by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023. In short: Blood samples taken from 19 residents living within one mile of the derailment five months after the exposure showe…

In a recent trial published in Nature Medicine , researchers replaced the diet and personal care products of 60 Australians with low-plastic alternatives and found that participants’ levels of plastic chemicals dropped after only seven days. In short: In addition to replacing personal care products and plastic kitchenware, participants were swapped to a diet of food that had minimal contact with …

In a recent article published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research , researchers examined the issue of chemical contamination - including pollution from PFAS forever chemicals, pharmaceutical byproducts, agricultural chemicals, and ingredients from personal care products - in U.S. drinking water systems. In short: Because these contaminants are typically very mobile, persistent, and ar…

According to a recent review published by Current Environmental Health Reports, a healthy diet that includes vitamins and minerals (known collectively as micronutrients) may lessen the health effects of some toxic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In short: Of the 71 studies reviewed, a majority suggested that higher levels of at least one micronutrient mitigated the link between EDC exposur…

Data centers are estimated to use hundreds of billions of liters of water and emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year, but a new article published in Patterns found that a lack of transparent reporting from tech companies means that the true environmental impacts are likely significantly underestimated. In short: The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that data centers c…