In Sweden, a big problem has been the presence of harmful chemicals called PFAS in drinking water. These chemicals are tough to break down and can cause health issues. A study looked at blood samples from first-time moms in Uppsala from 1996 to 2022. The goal was to see if efforts to clean up the wa
The massive fire in Lahaina, Maui, in August 2023 left a big mess. Untreated wastewater and harmful chemicals from the fire spread into the environment. Scientists wanted to see how this pollution moves around in the beach's groundwater, especially since the seasons change how water flows. They use
In some places, the soil is not very healthy. It has something called Cadmium (Cd) in it. This is not good for plants. But, some plants are better at dealing with this than others. These are called invasive plants. They are not from around here. They come from other places and take over. Earthworms
In the rocky landscapes of southwest China, water is on the move. It carries more than just moisture. It also moves harmful stuff like mercury, thallium, and arsenic. These toxic elements are found in the soil. They come from different places. Some come from rocks breaking down. Others come from the
Mining does more than just extract resources. It also leaves behind a mix of materials that can affect the environment. One of these is slurry, a thick mixture used in grouting to fill gaps in the earth. But what happens when this slurry interacts with groundwater? Recent research sheds light on thi
In a recent study, the Pocotaligo River in Sumter, South Carolina, was found to have the highest levels of PFAS contamination among 22 waterways tested across the United States. PFAS, known as "forever chemicals, " are synthetic substances that persist in the environment and the human body, posing s
In Taiwan, esophageal cancer is a serious health issue. It's tough to treat and often has poor outcomes. Scientists are now looking into how certain chemicals in our environment might play a role in causing this disease. One group of chemicals, called organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), has ca
Phthalates are sneaky chemicals that can mess with our bodies, especially the male reproductive system. One of the worst offenders is di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHxP). Even though Europe banned it in 2020, people are still getting exposed to it. How? Well, sunscreen might be the culprit. Some sunscreens
Hazmat incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials require careful handling. The goal is to stop the spread of contamination and prevent harm to people and the environment. While wet decontamination is the go-to method, it's not always practical. Cold weather and lim
The recent strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have raised questions about the potential environmental impact. Experts agree that a Chernobyl-like disaster is unlikely. The uranium enrichment sites in Iran are not as dangerous as one might think. These sites are spread across the country. Some
