The EPA is banning chlorpyrifos, a pesticide widely used on food crops, after 14 years of pressure from environmental and labor groups

What kind of evidence does it require to get a widely used chemical banned? A professor of medicine and former state regulator explains how the case for chlorpyrifos as a threat to public health developed.

Gina Solomon, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Aug. 24, 2021 • ~12 min

Male fertility is declining – studies show that environmental toxins could be a reason

People are exposed to toxic substances – like pesticides, chemicals in plastics and radiation – every day. A growing body of research shows that this exposure is causing a decline in male fertility.

Ryan P. Smith, Associate Professor of Urology, University of Virginia • conversation
July 30, 2021 • ~9 min

Lead exposure during childhood may influence adult personality, and not for the better

Early exposure to lead pollution may lead to less mature personality traits as an adult.

Ted Schwaba, Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts • conversation
July 29, 2021 • ~5 min

While debate rages over glyphosate-based herbicides, farmers are spraying them all over the world

Roundup may be taking a beating in the US, where three juries have concluded that it gave plaintiffs cancer, but it's still widely used around the globe.

Ryan Galt, Professor of Geography, University of California, Davis • conversation
July 2, 2021 • ~10 min

Urban oil wells linked to asthma and other health problems in Los Angeles

Photos from the early 1900s show LA's forests of oil derricks. Hundreds of wells are still pumping, and new research finds people living nearby are suffering the consequences.

Bhavna Shamasunder, Associate Professor of Environmental Health, Occidental College • conversation
June 2, 2021 • ~9 min

How to improve public health, the environment and racial equity all at once: Upgrade low-income housing

Building retrofits are no joke: They make dwellings healthier and more energy-efficient. And when they're done in low-income housing, they also reduce inequality.

Jonathan Levy, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University • conversation
March 24, 2021 • ~9 min

Pollen can raise your risk of COVID-19 – and the season is getting longer thanks to climate change

As climate change drives pollen counts upward, that could potentially result in greater human susceptibility to other viruses, as well.

Lewis Ziska, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University • conversation
March 9, 2021 • ~5 min

Pollen can raise your risk of getting COVID-19, whether you have allergies or not

Recent studies also suggest that climate change is driving pollen counts upward. That could result in greater human susceptibility to viruses.

Lewis Ziska, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University • conversation
March 9, 2021 • ~5 min

Air filters can scrub out pollutants near highways, reduce blood pressure

Living next to a highway is not great for health, but a new study shows that running air filters indoors can remove tiny particles of pollution and lower blood pressure.

Doug Brugge, Professor and Chair of Public Health Science and Community Medicine, University of Connecticut • conversation
Feb. 18, 2021 • ~5 min

Hundreds of fish species, including many that humans eat, are consuming plastic

As more and more plastic trash permeates the oceans, fragments are making their way into fish and shellfish – and potentially into humans.

Matthew Savoca, Postdoctoral researcher, Stanford University • conversation
Feb. 9, 2021 • ~9 min

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