Mercury exposure may cause birds to change their tune
The amount of methylmercury, a neurotoxin, in the earth’s atmosphere has quadrupled since the days before industrialization, and its toxic effects are changing the songs being sung by birds in the area of Waynesboro, Virginia. An article in…
Federal regulations on chemicals in environment need overhaul
Federal policies regulating the sea of industrial chemicals we encounter in everyday life—and new ones being formulated in laboratories—are “broken” and in need of urgent overhaul to better protect our brains from harmful toxins, a Harvard School of…
Growing number of chemicals linked with brain disorders in children
For immediate release: Friday, February 14, 2014 Boston, MA – Toxic chemicals may be triggering the recent increases in neurodevelopmental disabilities among children—such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia—according to a new study from Harvard School of…
U.S. standards for ‘safe’ limits of PFCs in drinking water appear too high for children
A new environmental toxicity study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and the University of Copenhagen has found that exposure limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies for perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) found…
Impact of fluoride on neurological development in children
July 25, 2012 -- For years health experts have been unable to agree on whether fluoride in the drinking water may be toxic to the developing human brain. Extremely high levels of fluoride are known to cause neurotoxicity…
Vaccine effectiveness threatened by everyday chemical
[ Spring/Summer 2012 ] HSPH’s Philippe Grandjean answers questions about PFCs In January 2012, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)—which are widely used in manufactured products such as nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing,…
PFCs, chemicals widespread in environment, linked to lowered immune response to childhood vaccinations
For immediate release: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Boston, MA — A new study finds that perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), widely used in manufactured products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and fast-food packaging, were associated with lowered immune response…
New computer model system shown effective in toxicology testing
Tests link DDT exposure to asthma, possibly autism A new environmental toxicity study by a Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Danish researcher has found a link between DDT exposure and asthma–and possibly also a link between…
Lead in the environment: No safe dose
September 2010 -- Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health, discusses the findings of a report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concludes there is no known safe exposure to lead. (3:07) Abstract of Grandjean's commentary in The Lancet (Sept.…
