Blog

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CHE Impact Report: 2024 in review

In 2024, CHE worked with our partners to highlight emerging science, bring professionals together across disciplines, and protect scientific integrity. Here, we share some summary data about our collective work over the past year.   . . .

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Webinars
Health Hazards of Wireless Technologies

Wireless technologies, including cell phones, wireless internet, and Bluetooth devices, have become ubiquitous in our lives. Cell phone use is widespread, even among children and adolescents. New cell antenna sites are being deployed widely. Wireless technology use is both widespread and increasing.  . . .

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Webinars
Plastics Treaty Negotiations: Who has a seat at the table?

At the end of November, delegates from around the world will convene in Busan, South Korea for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to draft a global, legally binding treaty on plastics. This is the final scheduled negotiating session before the adoption of the treaty's final text, expected in early 2025.  . . .

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Groundbreaking Study on Chemical Mixtures & Breast Cancer Risk

This is an excerpt of a longer post on the Zero Breast Cancer site describing an upcoming UCSF study on chemical mixtures.

Chemicals linked to breast cancer risk come from many sources: our personal care products, cleaning supplies, food packaging, pesticides, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and more. These chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals and mammary gland carcinogens, can alter vital pathways in our bodies. While most research has focused on single chemicals, in reality, we are not exposed to chemicals one at a time. We are exposed to many chemicals at the same time throughout our daily lives.  . . .

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Understanding the impacts of BPA substitutes on male fertility

Bisphenol S (BPS) was once promoted as a safer substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely criticized for its potential health risks. As concerns over BPA grew, manufacturers started replacing it with chemicals such as BPS in food packaging and receipts.  . . .

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What’s new
Recent resources on harms of plastic chemicals

As we approach the final negotiating session of the Global Plastics Treaty in late November, we're offering a summary of the content we've shared over the past 18 months highlighting health harms of plastics and plastic chemicals.  . . .

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Science, Health, Justice - & Community

Like many in the environmental health field, we are processing what this week’s election means for our communities, our children, and our collective efforts to build a healthier future.  . . .

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Science, Democracy & Public Health

At CHE, we work to bridge the gap between science and action. We collaborate with partners to amplify the latest research on environmental drivers of disease so decisions at all levels can be rooted in science, and thus more protective of public health.  . . .

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Guest commentary
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How will SCOTUS’ Chevron decision impact environmental health regulations?

In an era where science and law often collide, the June 28, 2024, Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturning Chevron deference marks a pivotal shift that could reshape environmental regulation as we know it.  . . .

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Global Scientists Gather in Chile: Growing enthusiasm to address corporate influence

This past August, the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) held their 36th annual conference in Santiago, Chile. Framed by stunning views of the Andes and the haze of smog trapped by the city's thermal inversions, scientists from across the globe gathered to share their cutting-edge environmental health research.  . . .

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What’s new
Health Impacts of PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy

PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often called "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down easily and can remain in the environment and our bodies for a long time. Over the past decade, the harmful effects of PFAS on human health have become increasingly clear with pregnant women and children especially at risk.
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What’s new
Climate Anxiety 102: Navigating crises & resilience

Extreme weather events are becoming all too common, and the human consequences of climate change are now very evident — from job loss, displacement, and destruction of landscape and personal property to disconnection from social networks, communities, and resources.  . . .

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What’s new
Webinars
A Roadmap to Better Policy for Plastic Chemicals

The petrochemical industry produced 460 million tons of plastics in 2019. This number is expected to triple by 2060. A wide range of chemicals – such as bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants – are routinely added to plastics. Many of these plastic chemicals are known to be harmful, and they do not stay in the plastic material. They can be released during feedstock extraction as well as the production, use, and end-of-life of plastics.  . . .

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What’s new
Zero Breast Cancer joins CHE

We’re pleased to announce that Zero Breast Cancer (ZBC) is now a project of the Collaborative for Health and Environment (CHE). This new partnership is rooted in our shared commitment to translating science into action in the service of health — and we’re very excited to move this work forward together.  . . .

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Safeguarding Science: Protecting researchers & scientific integrity

Independent environmental health researchers work within an economic system that is often hostile to their findings. When their research reveals environmental or health hazards, it can lead to regulatory actions and the possibility of financial losses for industries. In some cases, these industries may attempt to discredit and silence scientists through tactics like funding counter-studies, launching PR campaigns, or engaging in legal battles.  . . .

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What’s new
Climate Anxiety 101: Understanding, recognizing, & managing environmental worry

In recent years, public discussions about climate change have evolved significantly, especially with the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Some scientists use terms such as “Doomsday Glacier” and “Point of No Return” to emphasize the urgent need for climate action.  . . .

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What’s new
Forever Chemicals in Artificial Turf: Understanding PFAS testing

Artificial turf poses a range of health and environmental concerns, including chemicals in the rubber and plastic materials, excess heat, skin abrasions, macro- and microplastic pollution in the environment, and habitat loss, among others.  . . .

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What’s new
Cancer in Young Adults: The role of the food system

According to the American Cancer Society, about 80,000 adults aged 20-39 are now diagnosed with cancer every year, with the most common types being breast cancer, lymphomas, thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, and brain and spinal cord tumors. This number has been on the rise in recent years, sparking public health concerns and raising questions about the drivers of the upward trend. The potential contribution of the food system – from food packaging and agricultural chemicals to diet and nutrition – is a key area that cannot be ignored.   . . .

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Guest commentary
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Attacks on Scientists: Lessons from the Monsanto papers

In the documentary film Merchants of Doubt, Marc Morano, a former staffer for Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), described working to thwart action on climate by attacking the scientists speaking out about the crisis. “You’ve got to name names and you’ve got to go after individuals,” Moreno said. He describes how they “went after” climate scientists James Hansen and Michael Oppenheimer – “and we had a lot of fun with it,” he adds.  . . .

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What’s new
Summer Heat (Climate Change Version)

Record-breaking heat waves have been making their way through the country as we move into the height of summer. Heat waves in the summer are not unusual. It is the rising frequency of extreme heat waves — and their health impacts — that are a growing concern.
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