The effect of air pollution exposure on menstrual cycle health using self-reported data from a mobile health app: a prospective, observational study

These findings suggest that PM2·5 exposure affects menstrual cycle outcomes. More research is needed to better elucidate the biological mechanisms through which PM2·5 affects the menstrual cycle.

thelancet.com

Are Sleeping Children Exposed to Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, and UV-Filters from Their Mattresses?

Our research found that children aged 1–4 years are being exposed to elevated levels of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in their sleeping microenvironment (SME). We detected 21 SVOCs in four classes (ortho-phthalates, organophosphate esters, benzophenones, and salicylates) in 16 new children’s mattresses. One mattress exceeded the Canadian regulatory limit of 0.1% (by weight) for children’s mattresses for di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), while five had >0.1% diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), which are regulated in children’s toys but not in mattresses. One mattress contained high levels of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), which has been prohibited from use in Canada since 2014. Five mattresses had from 1 to 3% of several organophosphate esters. No consistent trend was found between the number or concentrations of SVOCs in mattress covers and their polymer type, e.g., rigid polyvinyl chloride vs flexible polypropylene-polyethylene, identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Twelve out of 45 SVOCs measured were emitted from eight mattresses tested at room temperature, rising to 20 detected at body temperature, and 21 were detected at body temperature and when body weight was applied. Given the likelihood of exposure, these results show the need for stricter regulations of all harmful chemicals in children’s mattresses and improved oversight by manufacturers to minimize the use of harmful chemicals, especially when they are not needed.

pubs.acs.org

Flame Retardant Exposure in Vehicles Is Influenced by Use in Seat Foam and Temperature

Flame retardants (FRs) are added to vehicles to meet flammability standards, such as US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 302. However, an understanding of which FRs are being used, sources in the vehicle, and implications for human exposure is lacking. US participants (n = 101) owning a vehicle of model year 2015 or newer hung a silicone passive sampler on their rearview mirror for 7 days. Fifty-one of 101 participants collected a foam sample from a vehicle seat. Organophosphate esters (OPEs) were the most frequently detected FR class in the passive samplers. Among these, tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) had a 99% detection frequency and was measured at levels ranging from 0.2 to 11,600 ng/g of sampler. TCIPP was also the dominant FR detected in the vehicle seat foam. Sampler FR concentrations were significantly correlated with average ambient temperature and were 2–5 times higher in the summer compared to winter. The presence of TCIPP in foam resulted in ∼4 times higher median air sampler concentrations in winter and ∼9 times higher in summer. These results suggest that FRs used in vehicle interiors, such as in seat foam, are a source of OPE exposure, which is increased in warmer temperatures.

pubs.acs.org

Why Are There Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Our Cars?

Car manufacturers add harmful flame retardants to seat foam and other materials to meet an outdated federal flammability standard with no proven fire-safety benefit.

forbes.com

Effect of household air pollution on the gut microbiome and virome of adult women living in Uganda | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 0, No. 0

Background: Emerging observational studies suggest air pollution can influence the gut microbiome. However, this association is often highly confounded by factors such as diet and poverty. The gut vir...

ehp.niehs.nih.gov

Worker safety agency NIOSH lays off most remaining staff

Laid-off employees ranged from those working in firefighter health programs, to those approving new respirators.

cbsnews.com

Research

colorado.edu

Apolitical Science

pubs.acs.org

Associations between residential fossil fuel combustion and indoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and aldehydes in Canadian homes - Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Ep...

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology - Associations between residential fossil fuel combustion and indoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and aldehydes...

nature.com

Incorporating Cooking Emissions To Better Simulate the Impact of Zero-Emission Vehicle Adoption on Ozone Pollution in Los Angeles

Despite decades of emission control measures aimed at improving air quality, Los Angeles (LA) continues to experience severe ozone pollution during the summertime. We incorporate cooking volatile orga...

pubs.acs.org

Particle Transport and Building Ventilation Limit Indoor Air Cleaner Performance during Wildfire Smoke Events

Portable air cleaners (PACs) are often recommended to mitigate indoor particulate matter levels during wildfire smoke events. These devices can remove smoke particles by using mechanical filters or m...

pubs.acs.org

Obama Calls for Universities to Stand Up to Trump Administration Threats

As the Trump administration threatens universities, the former president suggested schools shouldn’t be intimidated. But he also offered a critique of campus culture, saying it had too often shut out ...

nytimes.com

Global Endeavors to Address the Health Effects of Urban Air Pollution

pubs.acs.org

Satellite Observations of Atmospheric Ammonia Inequalities Associated with Industrialized Swine Facilities in Eastern North Carolina

Industrialized swine facilities adversely affect the health and well-being of Eastern North Carolina residents in the U.S. and are an issue of environmental racism. Concentrated animal feeding operati...

pubs.acs.org

Redirecting

doi.org

HOME | The White House Effect Film

THE WHITE HOUSE EFFECT is a feature documentary that explores the gripping drama that unfolded inside the George H.W. Bush White House after scientists warned the country for the first time that globa...

thewhitehouseeffect.com

Evaluating the environmental justice dimensions of odor in Denver, Colorado - Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology - Evaluating the environmental justice dimensions of odor in Denver, Colorado

nature.com

Air Quality Testing Services – Allergen Detection with Boulder Blue

Ensure a healthier space with cutting-edge air quality testing services from Boulder Blue. Our genomic tests help detect indoor allergens.

boulderblue.com

NOAA’s vast public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV – a private company alone couldn’t match it

NOAA operates fleets of satellites, sensors on airplanes and ocean-going buoys, as well as radar, providing the data used by weather forecasters nationwide – and freely available to anyone.

theconversation.com

Development and laboratory evaluation of a do-it-yourself (DIY) filtration solution for residential evaporative coolers to reduce indoor wildfire smoke exposure

This work describes the development and laboratory evaluation of a do-it-yourself (DIY) filtration solution for residential evaporative coolers (ECs),…

sciencedirect.com