Looking ahead after Boston says no to flame retardant
In April, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh signed a bill to amend the Boston Fire Code so that public spaces in the city can now have furniture free of harmful flame retardant chemicals.
News
Whether it’s tracking toxic chemicals in drinking water or uncovering new mechanisms by which they trigger breast cancer, we publish updates about our work throughout the year.
Here, you’ll find the latest news about our research and our impact. For detailed news about individual projects, please explore Our Science.
News
Healthier Living with Detox Me Mobile App
Silent Spring Institute launches its new mobile app Detox Me, a personalized guide that helps consumers lead a healthier life by reducing their exposure to toxic chemicals.
Participants in Personal Genome Project weigh the risks and benefits of sharing genetic and health data
Findings could inform revisions to the Common Rule
Drugs and other pollutants found in private wells on Cape Cod
Septic systems likely source of contamination, study finds
Lower doses of common product ingredient might increase breast cancer risk
Estrogen-mimicking chemicals called parabens, which are commonly found in an array of personal care products, may be more dangerous at lower doses than previously thought, according to a new study.
Cancer is More Than Bad Luck
Our perspective on the Tomasetti and Vogelstein article “Variation in cancer risk among tissues can be explained by the number of stem cell divisions,” published in Science, January 2, 2015.
A Previously Unrecognized Flame Retardant Found in Americans for the First Time
New study finds people are contaminated with several toxic flame retardants rarely studied in the US, including one that has never before been detected in Americans called TCEP.
Pollution Gets Personal: When Study Participants Learn their Chemical Levels
To find out how chemical contaminants affect health, scientists measure them in people’s blood, urine, breast milk and other tissues, and in household air and dust.
Study identifies priority breast carcinogens and biomonitoring methods
We identified 17 types of chemicals that should be top targets for breast cancer prevention. These include chemicals in gasoline, diesel and other vehicle exhaust, flame retardants, stain-resistant textiles, paint removers, and disinfection byproducts in drinking water.
Contaminants pervasive in Cape Cod's drinking water supply
Study is among the first to examine the impact of septic systems on groundwater used for drinking supplies