As we age, plastic pollution contributes to cancers, heart diseases, infertility and cognitive decline — and now it’s thwarting our chances at being healthy before our lives even begin. A new study from NYU Langone Health partially attributed close to 2 million preterm births in 2018 — about 8% of the world’s total that year — … Read more
We’re gonna need a stronger pill. Each year, the seasonal allergy warnings grow louder — as does the chorus of sniffling, sneezing and hacking. You can blame warmer temperatures, which “extend the duration of the pollen season,” and pollutants in the air that “can increase the potency of pollen allergens,” NYU Langone allergist Dr. Stephanie … Read more
There’s been much debate about whether we actually ingest a credit card’s worth of plastic per week. These new findings won’t help you poop money, but they do suggest certain foods might rid your body of a portion of that plastic. Probiotic foods — those teeming with beneficial lactic acid bacteria — have been used for … Read more
Talking about being stuck in a rut … with a gut. You’ve tried everything to lose weight — you’re eating healthier, exercising more, managing stress better and getting adequate sleep — but nothing seems to move the needle on the scale. Have you considered your chemical exposure? Obesogens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that sabotage weight … Read more
Sip at your own risk. A new study suggests that where you get your drinking water could increase your odds of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a devastating movement disorder with no cure. Even more concerning, the source linked to the highest risk is used widely across the country, especially in the southeastern and central … Read more
People with greater exposure to air pollution could face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study by Emory University in Atlanta. Air pollution has previously been established as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s, as well as other chronic conditions, like hypertension, stroke and depression, the researchers noted. Since those other conditions … Read more
It’s time to clear the air. While staying inside seems like a safe way to avoid the harmful effects of air pollution, it turns out that nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas that primarily comes from cars, lurks indoors as well. A new study out of Stanford University suggests that an everyday household appliance accounts for … Read more
This news may keep you up at night. New research from Harvard University has found a link between evening light exposure and an increased risk of heart disease. Moreover, the authors claim that even modest amounts of light at night can have serious, long-term consequences. In the small study, brain imaging and satellite measurements were … Read more
Location, location, location! A new study on aging across 40 countries confirms that your geographic location and your “exposome” — the physical, social and sociopolitical factors in your environment — significantly influence your chances of enjoying a long, healthy life. Two women bike in Copenhagen in this undated photo. Denmark is where you should go … Read more
It’s not pretty in pink. A UK man was filled with “sadness” after stumbling across a neon pink lake, which he believed might’ve been caused by industrial pollution — but the causes are au natural. “I was taken aback by it as I haven’t seen anything like it before,” Barry Knight, 61, told South West … Read more
Wash — and learn. “The next time you’re using a tumble dryer, take a look at the lint catcher,” materials scientist Joshua Grolman told The Post. “All of this debris is what we breathe in on a daily basis.” Microplastics are ubiquitous, found in everything from toys and cosmetics to cleaning products and clothing. They’re … Read more
Talk about a dirty little secret. A popular cleaning tool might leave your counters sparkling, but new research shows that the household staple is quietly shedding trillions of microplastics into the environment every month. Those pesky particles don’t just disappear. They seep into the food you eat, the water you drink and the air you … Read more
No need for vacationers to test the waters here, experts say. The summer vacation spoiler has been identified as a cyanobacterial bloom — and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) says that the crummy blue-green conditions seem to be spreading, with a noticeable increase in scale since Aug. 2. Currently, the contamination stretches … Read more
Not to be knit-picky, but laundry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon shed tiny fibers during the wash cycle that can pass through standard wastewater treatment and end up in waterways. Now, three Case Western Reserve University engineering alumni have fabricated a special washing machine filtration system to … Read more
Well, this blows. Microplastics — pesky particles that have contaminated our air, water, food and bodies — have been linked to a higher risk of inflammation, hormone disruption, DNA damage, respiratory illnesses and heart problems, among other health issues. A new study suggests that inhaling microplastics can suppress a type of white blood cell in … Read more
Let’s clear the air. Benzene, a harmful chemical found in gasoline, cigarette smoke and paint strippers, is a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene has been linked to leukemia and other blood-related cancers. Now, a new study out of Stanford University reports that benzene-caused cancer risks are significantly higher — especially for children — … Read more
What’s the air quality in New Delhi, Jakarta or Buenos Aires? Until Tuesday, the United States Embassy in those cities could have told you. But the Trump administration has effectively shut down a global air quality monitoring program, ending more than a decade of public data-collection and reporting from 80 embassies and consulates worldwide. The … Read more
This is rubbish! Researchers say that deteriorating car tires and decomposing garbage are sending minute plastic fragments into the air, which may be fueling infertility, colon cancer and respiratory illnesses. There’s long been concern about how exposure to microplastics — found in cosmetics and toothpaste and shed from food containers and clothing — can hurt … Read more
Your holiday candles that smell of pomegranate, peppermint and pine may spark joy in your home, but they can also fuel your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, a new study finds. “Our research shows that some home fragrance products may be detrimental to indoor air quality,” Asit Kumar Mishra and Marie Coggins, researchers from Ireland, wrote last … Read more
It was the light-mare before Christmas. A UK family has labeled their landlords “scrooges” for ordering them to switch off their Christmas decorations at night over “light pollution” concerns. “We just can’t understand it — we’re just trying to spread a bit of festive cheer,” Michael Stonier, 21, told South West News Service while denouncing … Read more