From sunscreen to essential oils, why some personal care products could be harmful to your health

Personal care products, such as hairspray, perfume and deodorant, can contain potentially toxic chemicals. Here’s what you need to know.

Asit Kumar Mishra, Research Fellow in School of Public of Health, University College Cork • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~6 min

Wood-burning stoves are a serious problem for your health – and the environment

People who use solid fuel stoves as a secondary source of heating could consider stopping its use altogether. That really would be a breath of fresh air.

John Wenger, Professor in Physical and Environmental Chemistry, University College Cork • conversation
Jan. 24, 2025 ~6 min


Should I worry about mold growing in my home?

Mold growth happens in damp indoor areas and is difficult to prevent. It can be an annoyance but usually isn’t harmful to your health.

Nicholas Money, Professor of Biology, Miami University • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~7 min

Can technology clean up our air? An atmospheric scientist got a glimpse of the future

A surprising number of new consumer tech products promise to improve air quality.

Alastair Lewis, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and University of York, University of York • conversation
Jan. 15, 2024 ~6 min

When science showed in the 1970s that gas stoves produced harmful indoor air pollution, the industry reached for tobacco's PR playbook

The natural gas industry has spent years trying to undermine scientific findings about gas stoves and health. If this sounds familiar, that’s no accident.

Jonathan Levy, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University • conversation
Nov. 3, 2023 ~8 min

From pests to pollutants, keeping schools healthy and clean is no simple task

For students to learn in a safe, healthy environment, school administrators must deal with a myriad of potential environmental contaminants, from allergens to cockroaches.

Janet Hurley, Extension Program Specialist, Texas A&M University • conversation
Sept. 29, 2023 ~8 min

Chess players perform worse when air quality is poor – and other high-skilled workers could be affected too

Air pollution causes chess players to make more errors – this may have implications for high-skilled professionals.

Francis Pope, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Birmingham • conversation
Feb. 8, 2023 ~7 min

Investing in indoor air quality improvements in schools will reduce COVID transmission and help students learn

A lot of federal money is now available for making school buildings healthier. Two environmental health experts explain how school districts can best use it.

Jonathan Levy, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University • conversation
Oct. 7, 2022 ~9 min


Is your gas stove bad for your health?

Natural gas has been marketed for decades as a clean fuel, but a growing body of research shows that gas stoves can contribute significantly to indoor air pollution, as well as climate change.

Jonathan Levy, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University • conversation
Sept. 13, 2022 ~9 min

Gas prices: as cooking fuels become more expensive, people are turning to dirtier alternatives

Cooking with wood and charcoal can raise indoor air pollution to dangerous levels.

Matthew Shupler, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Public Health, University of Liverpool • conversation
May 31, 2022 ~5 min

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