Sep 27, 2022Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH and Karen Wang, PhD
We all want our homes to be a safe haven for ourselves and the ones we love. The single easiest thing you can do for a safer home is to take your shoes off at the door. If you’re already doing it, congratulations! If you’re not, you can start today and...
May 20, 2022Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH and Maria Williams
What is PFAS?PFAS, are synthetic man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1950’s. They are otherwise known as “forever chemicals” because they do not breakdown, so stay in the environment and can build up in the bodies of humans and animals...
Mar 1, 2022Sophie Carnevale
Throughout history, the contributions of women have often been overlooked and it’s no different in the environmental health and justice movements. Women have been at the center of some of the biggest strides in environmental health and justice. From sparking...
Apr 11, 2019Karen Wang, PhD
While budget pieces might look chic, a toxic metal filler might be one of the reasons it was so cheap. Cadmium is added to jewelry to increase durability and lower manufacturing costs, but unfortunately, cadmium can cause kidney, bone and lung damage. Long term...
Sep 28, 2018Erica Chung, MPH
You know it’s coming, the dreaded flu season. Maybe you’ve tried investing in an antimicrobial mattress, shower curtain or probably the most common, soap, to try and prevent those germs from making you and your family sick. They just seem so promising,...
Apr 11, 2018Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
What is BPA?BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical that is often used in plastics to make them clear and strong. It is also in epoxy resins that can line water pipes and food cans, and is used in receipt paper. Although BPA is the most well-known bisphenol, there are...
Apr 11, 2018Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
Let’s get right to the point, while BPA-free is a great step forward and shows how customers can call for big commercial and policy change, BPA-free isn’t always quite what it seems. If you want a little refresher about what BPA is and how it can affect...
Apr 11, 2018Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
What are they?Flame retardants are a group of chemicals that are added to a variety of different products to help them meet flammability standards. These standards were set back in the 70s, and we have learned a lot since then about flammability, chemicals, and even...
Apr 11, 2018Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
What is it?Phthalates are similar to BPA in that they are an additive to plastic. Phthalates are technically a group of chemicals, and they are added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable.What can it do to me?Phthalates are one of the better known...
Apr 11, 2018Emma Zang-Schwartz, MPH
Lead is bad. I think it’s safe to say everyone is comfortable with that fact. Although it’s bad and we all know it, it’s still all over the world. And even if as a society we are using it in fewer products than ever, it still has ways of getting into...
