Toxic Chemicals

Recent Publications and News

Centurial Persistence of Forever Chemicals at Military Fire Training Sites

Drinking water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widespread near more than 300 United States (U.S.) military bases that used aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for fire training and firefighting activities. Much of the PFAS at these sites consist of precursors that can transform into terminal compounds of known health concern but are omitted from standard analytical methods.
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Temporal trends in urinary concentrations of phenols, phthalate metabolites and phthalate replacements between 2000 and 2017 in Boston, MA

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can adversely affect human health and are ubiquitously found in everyday products. We examined temporal trends in urinary concentrations of EDCs and their replacements. Urinary concentrations of 11 environmental phenols, 15 phthalate metabolites, phthalate replacements such as two di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) metabolites, and triclocarban were quantified using isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry.
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Pesticide residue intake from fruits and vegetables and alterations in the serum metabolome of women undergoing infertility treatment

Pesticide exposure is linked to a myriad of negative health effects; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations are less clear. We utilized metabolomics to describe the alterations in the serum metabolome associated with high and low pesticide residue intake from fruits and vegetables (FVs), the most common route of exposure in humans.
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Organic Fluorine as an Indicator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Dust from Buildings with Healthier versus Conventional Materials

PFAS have been associated with many adverse human health effects. We aimed to determine whether buildings with “healthier” materials─defined here as reportedly free of all PFAS─exhibit lower PFAS in dust.
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PFAS Chemicals Found in Drinking Water in Dozens of Cities

Drinking water contamination with fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS may be more prevalent than previously reported, a new study suggested.
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Environmental Health Toxic Chemicals Faculty and Researchers

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Gymnast Flame Retardant Collaborative