Endocrinology
Is your BPA-free water bottle as safe as you think it is?
In 2008, the FDA banned Bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s products over rising evidence and concerns that the chemical acted like a hormone and led to potentially serious health problems. BPA-free bottles hit the market — and new research suggests those may be no safer.
Do Pesticides Alter Hormones?
New studies on children and mice suggest a link between pesticide exposure and hormonal disruption, leading to learning disabilities and changes in aggressive behavior. Steve Curwood talks with Los Angeles Times environment reporter Marla Cone, who has been following the research.
A Return to Old-Fashioned Milk Production?
In Canada, government scientists have discovered a report by the Monsanto Corporation, makers of Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH) which stimulates milk production in dairy cows. The document indicates that the hormone may be linked to certain thyroid and prostate diseases, and could be implicated in some cancers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved […]
Phthalates in Plastics
Plastic baby toys are soft, cuddly, and chewable, but the chemicals used to do that are possible health hazards and the subject of growing controversy. They are called phthalates (THALL-ates), and some European nations want to ban all toys that contain them. There is a chance that the United States may soon follow. It’s not […]
Our Stolen Future: Human Reproduction and Modern Risks
Chemical compounds which seem to be causing problems in the reproductive ability of animals and humans have been the subject of a number of Living on Earth segments in the past year and a half. Now, a team of three scientific writers have written a ground-breaking book on the subject and it is raising much […]