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PFAS Chemicals

DuPont’s Teflon changed our lives, but also polluted our bodies. Today, Teflon-like compounds called PFAS are found in the blood of almost all Americans. These “forever chemicals” pollute water, don’t break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades.
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We work closely with subject matter experts to bring you breakthrough research that you can count on. Explore our data-driven publications and reports.

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Getting ‘forever chemicals’ out of drinking water: EWG’s guide to PFAS water filters

Taking ‘forever chemicals’ out of drinking water: EWG’s guide to PFAS water filters. Discover the most effective water filters for reducing PFAS contamination in your water. EWG's extensive tests...

July 11, 2023

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Children’s Health

EWG investigation: Dangerous agricultural chemical chlormequat found in popular oat-based products

A new EWG investigation finds for the first time troubling concentrations of the toxic agricultural chemical chlormequat in oat-based products sold in the U.S., including everyday brands marketed to...

January 31, 2023

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Federal & State Energy Policy

Renewable Energy

Fossil & Nuclear

Power and profit: How PG&E fails California ratepayers and what to do about it

EWG’s utility business model would create a more balanced policy and regulatory regime for PG&E customers. It is designed to hold the company responsible for its investment patterns and shift...

June 16, 2022

All Research

Displaying 1 - 18 of 18

Survey finds use of personal care products up since 2004 – what that means for your health

July 26, 2023

A new Morning Consult survey reveals the average adult uses 12 personal care products a day, from shampoos to soaps and deodorants to lipsticks and more. And EWG finds the products could be made with...

K-Beauty Trends: Serums, Essences and EWG’s Best Bets

December 6, 2018

Like K-Pop music and spicy fried chicken, skin care and beauty products from Korea are flooding the American market. U.S. sales of K-beauty products, as they're called, have increased by almost 300...

Big Market for Black Cosmetics, but Less-Hazardous Choices Limited

December 6, 2016

EWG's Skin Deep® adds more than 1,000 products marketed to Black women

Reproductive Health

Nailed

October 19, 2015

It's not surprising that many nail polishes contain potentially toxic chemicals. Now a study conducted by researchers at Duke University and EWG finds that at least one of those chemicals could be...

Chemical Policy

Exposing the Cosmetics Cover-up

October 10, 2013

At EWG, we know how much you care about the safety of personal care products. Over the next several weeks we will delve deeper into some of the crucial issues surrounding these products. EWG's...

BB and CC Creams

October 3, 2013

“Skin Perfector.” “Balance, brighten, renew and protect.” “Anti-aging.” The ads sound too good to be true. BB (stands for beauty balm) and CC (stands for color corrector or complexion corrector)...

What Scientists Say About Vitamin A in Sunscreen

June 27, 2011

New sunscreen rules will do away with the worst hype in sunscreen marketing. But they don't address concerns about ingredient safety, particularly a form of vitamin A which has become common in...

EWG Updates Sunscreen Guide | 50+ New Products

June 27, 2011

Since releasing our 2011 Sunscreen Guide in May, Environmental Working Group has received dozens of requests from supporters and companies asking us to add more of their favorite products.

Reproductive Health

Not So Sexy

May 12, 2010

Laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by EWG revealed 38 secret chemicals in 17 name brand fragrance products, topped by American Eagle Seventy Seven with 24...

Children’s Health

Toxic Chemicals in Kids' Bath Products

March 12, 2009

Children's bath products are often marketed as safe and gentle. However, laboratory tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found these products are commonly contaminated with...

Cleaning Supplies

EWG's Guide to Triclosan

October 12, 2008

It's nearly ubiquitous in liquid hand soap and dishwashing detergent, but those aren't the only products it's in. Triclosan is also a common ingredient in toothpaste, facewash, deodorant, a host of...

Reproductive Health

Teen Girls' Body Burden of Hormone-Altering Cosmetics Chemicals

September 24, 2008

Laboratory tests reveal adolescent girls across America are contaminated with chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and body care products. Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 16 chemicals from...

Cleaning Supplies

Pesticide in Soap, Toothpaste and Breast Milk - Is It Kid-Safe?

July 17, 2008

With no assessment of health risks to infants, federal regulators have approved a hormone-disrupting pesticide, triclosan, for use in 140 different types of consumer products including liquid hand...

Cleaning Supplies

Down the Drain

July 12, 2007

EWG and East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) researchers analyzed samples of wastewater from residential, commercial, and industrial sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. 18 of 19 wastewater...

Reproductive Health

Scented Secrets

February 12, 2007

A major loophole in federal law allows fragrance manufacturers to hide potentially hazardous chemicals in product scents, including substances linked to allergies, birth defects, and even cancer...

Chemicals linked to birth defects can stay in cosmetics, says Cosmetic Industry safety panel

November 19, 2002

Most people are surprised to learn that the government neither conducts nor requires safety testing of chemicals that go into health and beauty products. Today a panel funded and advised by the...

Reproductive Health

Not Too Pretty

July 8, 2002

In May 2002 a coalition of environmental and public health organizations contracted with a major national laboratory to test 72 name-brand, off-the-shelf beauty products for the presence of phthalates...

Reproductive Health

Beauty Secrets

November 1, 2000

In September 2000, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that every single one of the 289 persons tested for the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate (DBP) had the...

Expert Spotlight

Chemical companies provide quarterly reports on production and sales figures to shareholders. Why shouldn’t the public and EPA receive similar reports every year about commonly used chemicals, some of which could pose a serious health risk?”

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David Andrews, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Investigations and and Senior Scientist

News & Insights

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Climate & Agriculture

USDA conservation funding ‘guardrails’ vital for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

April 24, 2024

When Congress provided almost $20 billion in Department of Agriculture funding for climate-smart farming practices, it included legislative “guardrails” to ensure the money goes to practices that...

Mascaras

Best bang for your buck mascaras

April 22, 2024

It’s prom season, which means millions of teenagers across the U.S. will be getting done up for one of the most high school experiences. It’s a time for “promposals,” dancing and getting enough...

What they’re saying about the EPA’s ‘hazardous substances’ designation for two PFAS

April 19, 2024

On April 19 the Environmental Protection Agency designated two of the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and...

What does the EPA’s new hazardous substances designation for two ‘forever chemicals’ mean?

April 17, 2024

More than 5,000 sites across the U.S. are polluted with the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, creating an urgent national health and environmental crisis. The Biden administration took a...