The latest from EWG’s staff of experts

The toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS are a class of environmentally persistent manmade chemicals that are used as water, grease and stain repellents in clothing and furniture, in industrial firefighting foam, and in the production of nonstick cookware.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

PFAS Chemicals

Water

Tap Water

This year’s defense spending bill – the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA – now being considered by Congress, is an unprecedented chance to regulate the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS, which have contaminated hundreds of public water systems nationwide.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

PFAS Chemicals

Water

Tap Water

EWG News Roundup (9/13): Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Midwest

Toxics

Consumer Products

Farming

Food

Water

EWG News Roundup (9/6): Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

Consumer Products

Farming

Food

EWG News Roundup (8/30): Here’s some news you can use going into the weekend.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

Consumer Products

Farming

Food

Water

CVS, one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, recently announced it will phase out two common sunscreen ingredients, oxybenzone and octinoxate, from many of its store-brand sun-protection products. CVS cited the changing needs of its customers, concern for marine ecosystems and the desire to stay ahead of state-level chemical bans.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

Consumer Products

Sunscreens

Cosmetics

I try to stay up to date on the latest beauty trends, especially when they involve products advertised as “clean” or “nontoxic.” Even before my internship with EWG’s Healthy Living Science team, I knew that claims like “natural,” “nontoxic,” “plant based” and “clean” have no legal basis or standardized definition in the personal care industry.

Key Issues: 

Consumer Products

Cosmetics

Last week, Melissa Martin and Denise Mintz took their dogs – Abby, Harpo and Lizzy – for a swim in a pond near their home in Wilmington, N.C. Within hours, the dogs grew sick and died, apparent victims of poisoning from toxic algae blooms.

Key Issues: 

Water

Toxic Algae

The recent discovery of fluorinated chemicals, or PFAS, in food packaging should serve as a reminder that our diets are as big a source as drinking water of these toxic compounds in our bodies.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

PFAS Chemicals

Food

Chemicals in Food