Stricter federal guidelines on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water pose challenges
Philippe Grandjean discusses the EPA's updated health advisories for two toxic compounds, PFOS and PFOA, that are found in drinking water across the U.S.
Why more stringent regulation is needed for ‘forever chemicals’
Environmental health expert Philippe Grandjean discusses the importance of regulating PFAS.
Exploring how ‘forever chemicals’ may harm immune function
Mounting evidence suggests that widely used chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) interfere with immune system function. Experts are concerned that exposure to these chemicals could diminish the immune system’s ability to fight a host of infectious…
PFAS exposure linked with worse COVID-19 outcomes
People who had elevated blood levels of a toxic chemical called perfluorobutanoic acid had an increased risk of a more severe course of COVID-19 than those who did not have elevated levels, according to a new study led…
Pregnant women, babies at risk from everyday chemicals
Evidence suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a family of industrial chemicals used in a wide range of everyday products, may harm pregnant mothers and their babies.
The dangers of ‘secret’ chemicals
Chemicals such as perfluorinated substances (PFASs) and certain pesticides are among the most dangerous to human health because people have been unwittingly exposed to them for years, according to an expert from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public…
Common gene variants may increase methylmercury risk in children
About 30% of children carry a gene variant that may make them more susceptible to prenatal exposure to methylmercury, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Senior author of the study…
Curbing the use of ‘forever’ chemicals
July 18, 2019 – Philippe Grandjean is an adjunct professor of environmental health at Harvard Chan School who studies per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)—man-made chemicals used in products ranging from carpets to nonstick cookware to firefighting foams—and is co-director…
Tracking the use, risks of the pesticide chlorpyrifos
Scientists say that a pesticide called chlorpyrifos can cause brain damage. But its residues can be found on fruits and vegetables and in human urine samples across European Union countries, according to recent reports. A June 17, 2019…
Tracking mystery fluorochemicals in the environment
Widely used fluorinated chemical compounds called “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” or PFASs, are found in rivers, soils, and in people’s bloodstreams around the world, and some have been linked with a range of health problems, including cancer. Scientists…