Research Updates
Experts Call for Federal Government to Increase Breast Cancer Prevention Efforts
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Citing 11 Silent Spring Institute studies, a major federal interagency report issued February 12, 2013, calls for greater investment in research on breast cancer prevention. The report highlights the scientific evidence about potential environmental causes of breast cancer, and shines a light on the fact that currently only a small fraction of the government’s breast cancer funding is spent on prevention. read more »
Gathering Dust: Many Toxic Flame Retardants Linger in Homes, Sometimes at Levels Above Health Guidelines
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Flame retardants sound like a good idea to prevent our couches and computers and carpets from combusting. Yet these chemicals also accumulate and linger in our homes, sometimes winding up in household dust at levels of health concern. That was one of the central findings of a recent Silent Spring Institute study, the first to test for a wide range of flame retardants in homes. read more »
Consumer Products Contain Potentially Harmful Chemicals Not Listed on Labels
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Health conscious consumers often pore over product labels trying to avoid certain ingredients. But those labels can be incomplete. A new Silent Spring Institute study shows that everyday products contain a wide range of potentially harmful chemicals, including many that are not listed on product labels. read more »
New review finds early exposure to common chemicals may affect breast health
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Pregnant women already know that consuming alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco can be harmful to their babies’ health. But they may be surprised to learn that some chemicals women are exposed to in their daily lives—from their food packaging to their drinking water—could affect their children’s development and health later on. read more »
New study shows fresh food diet reduces levels of hormone disruptors BPA and DEHP
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There are plenty of reasons to avoid processed food and to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. That list just got a little longer. read more »
Study highlights pervasive impact of consumer products on air quality in homes
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A study published in Environmental Science & Technology provides the most comprehensive information to date on the mixtures of hormone disrupting chemicals people are commonly exposed to in their homes. read more »
Study reports on cleaning products, beliefs about breast cancer, and breast cancer risk
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Women who report greater use of cleaning products may be at higher breast cancer risk than those who say they use them sparingly. read more »
Tests find new contaminants in Cape Cod’s drinking water supply, septic systems are likely the main source of the pollution
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Tests of 20 wells and two distributions systems supplying drinking water on Cape Cod found that 75 percent of the wells and both distribution systems had detectable levels of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and consumer product chemicals, primarily coming from septic systems. read more »
President's Cancer Panel highlights everyday exposures to environmental pollutants and cancer
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On May 6th, the President's Cancer Panel—a watchdog group of advisors charged with monitoring the National Cancer Program—released a groundbreaking report, Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk, What We Can Do Now. read more »
Silent Spring Institute organizes scientific workshop on mammary gland evaluation and risk assessment
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Biologists, toxicologists, risk assessors, and regulators came together November 16-17, 2009, in Oakland, CA for a scientific workshop, organized by Silent Spring Institute Research Director Ruthann Rudel and Dr. Suzanne Fenton from NIEHS, to advance research on how early life exposure to EDCs influences mammary gland development and susceptibility to cancer. read more »