The latest from EWG’s staff of experts

The Philadelphia School District has closed two schools indefinitely after renovations uncovered deadly asbestos. The closure of the schools, housed in the same building, comes just weeks after a longtime teacher in the city’s schools was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable cancer most often caused by asbestos exposure.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

Asbestos

Many of the nation’s highest levels of groundwater contamination with PFAS – highly toxic fluorinated chemicals linked to increased risk of cancer and other diseases – have been found at military sites, according to federal data obtained and analyzed by EWG.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

PFAS Chemicals

Water

Tap Water

Eight people have died this year from Eastern equine encephalitis, a disease caused by a mosquito-borne virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, five to 10 cases of the virus are reported nationwide each year.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

Consumer Products

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

New York may soon become the first state to require that menstrual products disclose their ingredients on the label. The groundbreaking action follows the release of a study showing that many brands of menstrual products contain chemicals linked to health harms, including reproductive problems, damage to the nervous system and cancer.

Key Issues: 

Children's Health

Toxics

Consumer Products

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