Groundwater near at least six military sites in the Great Lakes region contains high levels of toxic yet widely used “forever chemicals.” The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reported that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have contaminated water in the Great Lakes. PFAS are a risk to people who eat fish caught within the polluted waters. “Forever chemicals” traced to firefighting foam … Continue reading Tap water near hundreds of US military bases and thousands of industry areas CONTAMINATED with “forever chemicals,” warn experts
Celebrate, but not with glitter: Glitter is a toxic pollutant that should be banned, warn scientists
Glitter is tiny, sparkly and festive, but these minuscule particles are harmful to the environment. According to experts, glitter should be banned to protect oceans and marine life. Why is glitter bad for the environment? Glitter particles are very small, and marine animals often mistake them for food. This is bad because microplastics like glitter can damage … Continue reading Celebrate, but not with glitter: Glitter is a toxic pollutant that should be banned, warn scientists
Scientists find toxic “forever chemicals” in home fertilizers made from sewage sludge
Many home gardeners buy compost or fertilizers to improve the quality of their soil. Unfortunately, some home fertilizers made from biosolids – nutrient-rich, organic materials derived from sewage sludge – contain alarmingly high levels of “forever chemicals,” or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Those are the findings of a recent report by scientists with Ecology Center, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in … Continue reading Scientists find toxic “forever chemicals” in home fertilizers made from sewage sludge
Chemical reaction between pipe alloy and water disinfectants produce cancer-causing chromium in drinking water
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside have found that pipe alloy can react with residual water disinfectants to produce cancer-causing chromium that gets mixed in drinking water. In a study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers said that chemical reactions can change chromium in water pipes into a form that creates genetic mutations in cells. Pipe alloy plus disinfectants … Continue reading Chemical reaction between pipe alloy and water disinfectants produce cancer-causing chromium in drinking water
Scientists develop an electrochemical process that removes toxic mercury from contaminated water
Researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden developed a method that can remove nearly 100 percent of toxic mercury from contaminated water. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers said that the electrochemical process works by encouraging mercury ions to form an alloy with another metal. This effectively draws the heavy metal out of the … Continue reading Scientists develop an electrochemical process that removes toxic mercury from contaminated water
“Eco-friendly” glitter just as damaging to the environment as conventional glitter, study finds
“Eco-friendly” glitter has become increasingly popular these days, fueled in part by the need to find alternatives to conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glitter, a known environmental risk. However, a new study reveals that so-called eco-friendly glitter is just as damaging to the environment, causing ecological damage to rivers and lakes, as its plastic variant. The report, published in … Continue reading “Eco-friendly” glitter just as damaging to the environment as conventional glitter, study finds
Single-use no more: Plastic bottles can be upcycled to more durable materials
Single-use plastics cause plastic pollution, a problem that affects rivers, lakes, and oceans. To address this concern, researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a recycling process that turns various materials made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into other useful products that will last longer. NREL’s research was published in the journal Joule. What is polyethylene terephthalate (PET)? Polyethylene terephthalate … Continue reading Single-use no more: Plastic bottles can be upcycled to more durable materials
Study reveals that toxic algae is causing dolphins to suffer from Alzheimer’s-like brain disease
The excessive blooming of blue-green algae might be responsible for the recent spate of deaths among dolphins. A pathological study found toxic compounds in the harmful algae that might cause a neurodegenerative problem similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the University of Miami autopsied the brains and bodies of 14 dead dolphins. For the first time, they found … Continue reading Study reveals that toxic algae is causing dolphins to suffer from Alzheimer’s-like brain disease
Green and clean: Energy-efficient water purification system developed by scientists
Chinese researchers debuted a new photocatalytic disinfectant for eliminating pathogenic microorganisms in water. Made from incredibly thin sheets of graphitic carbon nitride and powered by light instead of electricity, the new disinfectant offered an environment-friendly approach to water purification. In trials, it reportedly purified samples of heavily-contaminated water in just half an hour. It also killed nearly all of the microorganisms … Continue reading Green and clean: Energy-efficient water purification system developed by scientists
With plastic pollution in the oceans at 16xs more than previously thought, is it even possible to clean it up?
There was a time when the sea was the go-to place for keeping the body clean and catching fresh fish free from harmful chemicals. Beach lovers didn’t think twice about swimming there because they knew it was perfectly safe, and good for their health besides. But recent figures show that those who hesitate to swim … Continue reading With plastic pollution in the oceans at 16xs more than previously thought, is it even possible to clean it up?
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 