Less mercury in the environment since tougher emissions rules enacted
Mercury has declined significantly in the air, water, and soil, and in U.S. freshwater and Atlantic Ocean fisheries. Weakening emissions rules could impede progress.
Health risks of widely used chemicals may be underestimated
A group of chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFASs—used in everything from carpets to nonstick cookware to firefighting foams—may pose much greater health risks than previously thought. A recent review from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control…
Tracking mercury sources in seafood
It’s been known that exposure to the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) comes mostly from eating seafood. Now, a new Harvard study has found that most of that exposure comes from tuna and shrimp, and that seafood from the Pacific…
New Superfund center launched to investigate industrial chemicals
The Sources, Transport, Exposure and Effects of PFASs (STEEP) center has been launched to investigate industrial chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). High levels of human exposure to PFASs have been shown to increase cholesterol levels, interfere…
Understanding how chemicals contaminate water
Environmental experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Rhode Island (URI) are teaming up to learn more about chemicals that have contaminated water at sites across the U.S. Harvard Chan School’s Philippe…
Declining mercury levels in tuna a positive development
Elsie Sunderland, associate professor of environmental science and engineering in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was quoted in a November 30, 2016 Bloomberg article about a reported decline in mercury…
Human health risks from hydroelectric projects
Ninety-percent of proposed Canadian hydroelectric projects may expose local indigenous communities to methylmercury November 14, 2016—In a new study, Harvard University researchers find over 90 percent of potential new Canadian hydroelectric projects are likely to increase concentrations of…
Unsafe levels of toxic chemicals found in drinking water for six million Americans
Drinking water samples near industrial sites, military fire training areas, wastewater treatment plants have highest levels of fluorinated compounds For immediate release: August 9, 2016 Boston, MA – Levels of a widely used class of industrial chemicals linked…
Three from Harvard Chan receive climate change solutions grants
Three Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health scientists are among investigators across six Harvard schools who will share over $1 million in the second round of grants awarded by the Climate Change Solutions Fund, an initiative launched…
Hydroelectric energy could increase harmful pollutant in Arctic
Concentrations of methylmercury — a neurotoxicant that can accumulate in fish — have been rising in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions due to melting sea ice. A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers…
