Tag: Health
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Global Ban on Mercury Exempts Mascara and Eye Makeup
Mercury was banned in cosmetics and soaps by a recently signed global treaty at the Minamata Convention. But mascara and other eye makeup were exempted. Mercury is used in trace amounts in eye makeup as a preservative. The treaty exempts eye area cosmetics from the list because “no effective, safe substitute alternatives are available,” according to the signed…
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Environmental and Health Impacts of Antibacterial Soap
Antibacterial soaps are about the worst choice when it comes to cleaning your hands or your house. They are no more effective than plain old soap and water, but pollute the environment and may be contributing to antibacterial resistance. The two antibacterial chemicals most commonly used are triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS). Rolf Halden, co-founder of the…
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Scientists Say ‘No Consensus on GMO Food Safety’
An international group of more than 90 scientists, academics and physicians released a statement today saying there is no scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods and crops. The statement was issued in response to recent claims from the GM industry and some scientists, journalists and commentators that there is a “scientific consensus” that genetically…
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Interactive Map Shows When Your Community Could Reach ‘Climate Departure’
[caption id="attachment_308507" align="alignright" width="300"]Photo courtesy of Shutterstock[/caption] A new study published in the journal Nature predicts that within a few generations humans will live in an “entirely new climate” unless greenhouse gas emissions are held to current levels. After the year 2047, the average temperatures in each year will be hotter across most parts of the planet than they had been at…
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Air Pollution Causes Cancer, World Health Organization Says
It has been known for a while that air pollution contributes to heart disease and respiratory ailments. Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) added cancer to the list of health risks caused by air pollution. There’s sufficient evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer, WHO said in a press release. Particulate matter, a…