The Reasons Why • Us

12/04/2023

11/03/2021

Honored to be author with Baylor College of Medicine / Icahn School of Medicine team of paper on environmental toxicants & pediatric cancers (up 45% since 1975) suggesting environmental toxicants “are important & potentially modifiable risk factors that need to be more fully explored" https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/HCISY2CXMBMXVFN4YUVG/full?target=10.1080/08880018.2021.1979147
‘For most children, the underlying etiologies of their cancers remain largely unknown, suggesting that exogenous factors are accounting for an increasing proportion of cases’
These environmental toxicants include exposure to certain metals, hazardous air pollutants, radiation, food and plants, herbicides and pesticides, and occupational hazards’

(2021). A brief review of the current knowledge on environmental toxicants and risk of pediatric cancers. Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. Ahead of Print.

07/15/2021

The EPA recently announced three important actions that will better protect all communities from pollution, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These actions will focus on collecting data on PFAS, withdrawing from a compliance guide under the Significant New Use Rule, and implementing an important PFAS requirement of the NDAA. “When it comes to tackling PFAS, EPA is committed to strengthening our rules, improving our data, and advancing our understanding of these complex chemicals, and then using this information to make informed decisions to protect people and the environment,” said Michal Freedhoff, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “These actions will help us harness the best available science to develop policies and programs that can improve health protections for everyone, including those living in historically underserved communities.”

Listserv sent out June 10, 2021 about actions on PFAS

07/12/2021

Award winning documentary, Toxic Beauty, showcases a three-year investigation of unregulated chemicals in personal-care products and cosmetics. "Toxic Beauty...focuses on the recent lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson by more than 15,000 women with cancer who believe the company’s talc-based baby and body powders are to blame."

A thought-provoking documentary considers the impact of virtually unregulated chemicals in personal-care products.

07/09/2021

"Tiny pieces of degraded plastic, synthetic fibers and plastic beads, collectively called microplastics, have turned up in every corner of the planet." This second article in a three part series by Andrea Thompson with Scientific American illustrates in depth the different ways humans can directly absorb (unknowingly) microplastics and explains the harmful effects of this widespread pollution

Tiny bits of plastic have seeped into soil, fish and air, posing a threat to animal and human health

07/02/2021

Science and Technology published a study showing concerning amounts of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various cosmetic lines such as L’Oréal, Mac, Ulta, Cover Girl, Clinique and many others.
"Lipstick wearers may inadvertently eat several pounds of lipstick in their lifetimes,” Graham Peaslee, senior author of the study, said. “But unlike food, chemicals in lipstick and other makeup and personal care products are almost entirely unregulated in the U.S. and Canada; as a result, millions of people are unknowingly wearing PFAS and other harmful chemicals on their faces and bodies daily."
https://www.nationofchange.org/2021/06/17/new-study-finds-toxic-pfas-in-hundreds-of-commonly-used-cosmetics-produced-by-major-us-and-canadian-brands/?fbclid=IwAR3UUZwYmp89SLFWAQcXTCeNQUEdpBOKiYG3R4bdl46ooqNXOH3dyAKmF9cEnvironmental

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a highly persistent and potentially toxic class of more than 4,700 chemical compounds, were present in most cosmetic products purchased

05/09/2021

🎗️ US Pediatric Cancer Rates Jump -

“Children are more vulnerable because of their greater environmental exposure pound for pound. Health effects from toxic environmental exposures may be gross and obvious, such as cancer or death, or they may be subtle, such as development delays or impairment of immune function. And the physiolog...

04/22/2021

With thanks to Melissa Bumstead for her support on Earth Day shining a light on how when we poison our environment we poison ourselves - above all our children! Let's change that...

“The true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated.” President’s Cancer Panel 2008-2009 Earth Day is painfully personal for me and my family. As an advocate to cleanup one of America’s worst nuclear meltdown sites, the Santa Susana Field Lab, I know the impact...

02/24/2021

"Simply put, the natural gas industry has not delivered the promised benefits for producers, investors—or local communities."

A new report by the Ohio River Valley Institute "revealed that while economic output in Appalachian fracking counties grew by 60 percent from 2008-2019, the counties' share of the nation's personal income, jobs, and population levels all declined."

https://www.ehn.org/fracking-economics-2650429410/natural-gas-economy-

02/23/2021

We are thrilled to share are most recent newsletter featuring contributions by Dr. Elizabeth J. Neary, MD, MS and Melissa Bumstead who share stories of their advocacy to keep their communities protected from cancer-causing 'forever chemicals' and nuclear plants.

You can also learn about a new film with a member of TRW.U's Scientific Advisory Panel and efforts to develop a predictive cancer model for siblings. You will even find coupons for non-toxic products!

https://mailchi.mp/a1b5d1c38bdf/trwu-newsletter-07-22-13352714?e=23bbef7489

02/17/2021

After operating for over 100 years, a South Philadelphia refinery plant has closed, and residents can breathe easier—for now.

As the planning processes move forward some community groups advocate for more sustainable jobs and policymakers emphasize the importance of trust.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/in-a-refinerys-ashes-hope-for-an-end-to-decades-of-pollution

02/16/2021

Environmental researchers can once again rely on important data about our health to track harmful pollutants. A Trump-era EPA policy that effectively limited the use of health data was recently overturned.

https://saferchemicals.org/2021/02/02/judge-throws-out-trump-epas-science-censoring-rule/