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NEWS: About organic, pesticides, health, and our world

Everyday, new information about negative health, climate, and economic impacts of chemical-intensive agriculture abound, while new reports emerge showing the benefits of organic agriculture and lifestyle. Read about them here.

Everything You Need to Know About PFAS

Eco-friendly technology removes toxic PFAS from water

Phys.org

Researchers at Rice University and partner institutions have created a layered copper-aluminum material that removes PFAS from water with over a thousandfold greater efficiency than current methods. The material also allows safe destruction of the captured PFAS, regenerating itself for reuse across multiple cycles. This innovation offers promise for scalable, sustainable cleanup of the “forever chemicals” threatening our water and health.

Chemicals in home tap water linked to a 33% increase in cancer rates

Earth.com

Recent analysis shows that in parts of the U.S. where PFAS are found in tap water, cancer risk rises by as much as 33%. These synthetic chemicals don’t break down and can build up in the body and environment.

EPA Approves Four New Pesticides That Qualify as PFAS

Civil Eats

The EPA has approved four new pesticides that scientists say are PFAS. These products are meant for crops like lettuce, corn, soybeans, and fruit, raising risks for farmworkers and nearby communities. Experts warn that these pesticides can also turn into other harmful PFAS once they are in soil and water. 

Denmark Bans Pesticides Containing Problematic PFAS Ingredients

Food Safety Magazine

Denmark’s Environmental Protection Agency is banning 23 pesticides containing PFAS active ingredients. These active substances like fluazinam and diflufenican, will be phased out over six to fifteen months, with ten more under review. This precautionary move protects soil, water, and human health, and is an impressive step toward reducing pesticide dependency and championing safer alternatives.

Is there PFAS in your pint?

The New Lede

CONFIRMED: A recent investigation found PFAS in 59 out of 60 tested beer brands. These long-lasting chemicals likely enter the brewing process through contaminated water sources or pesticide-treated crops. Some of the highest levels were detected in beers brewed with water from rivers impacted by wastewater and agricultural runoff. PFAS have been linked to health concerns even at low exposure.

Maryland residents search for answers as community struggles to overcome PFAS contamination

The New Lede

Maryland residents are facing serious concerns about PFAS contamination in their drinking water. For those relying on well water, testing is essential. Cyclopure offers an easy-to-use faucet water test for $79 to help detect PFAS contamination. Protect your family by taking this simple step.

EPA Defunds Research Into PFAS Contamination on Farms

Civil Eats

The EPA has canceled over $15 million in grants dedicated to studying PFAS contamination on farms. This defunding hampers efforts to understand and mitigate PFAS exposure in agriculture, posing risks to both farmers and consumers.

New detection method captures forever chemicals as they evaporate

University at Buffalo

While much attention has been given to PFAS contamination in water, a new study from the University at Buffalo highlights the significance of airborne PFAS. Researchers have developed a method to detect volatile PFAS compounds in the air, which can travel far from their original sources.

The state knew about toxic chemicals in Perdue’s wastewater. Residents had no idea.

The Baltimore Banner

Imagine learning a year too late that your drinking water could be contaminated with PFAS, the “forever chemicals” linked to cancer and fertility issues. Residents near Perdue AgriBusiness in Salisbury lived this reality. Despite early findings of high PFAS levels in wastewater, community members relying on private wells weren’t informed until late 2024. 

Proposed bill could ban certain pesticides with PFAS chemicals in Maryland

CBS News Baltimore

Check out CBS Baltimore‘s coverage of our efforts to phase out PFAS in Maryland pesticides. These “forever chemicals” are everywhere, and it’s time to reduce their impact on Maryland’s communities. Watch the segment and check the comments to see how you can support it with a click of a button!

MD lawmakers consider bill to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in pesticides

WMAR-2 News

PFAS pesticides are a human rights and environmental justice issue in Maryland. These “forever chemicals” pollute our air, water, and soil, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities. Maryland Pesticide Education Network is leading efforts to phase out these toxic pesticides. Watch WMAR-2 News Baltimore coverage of our bill hearing to see how we’re working to protect Maryland’s health and environment.

First-of-its-kind PFAS study finds ‘potentially harmful’ levels of forever chemicals in Marylanders

WBAL

See how the Maryland Pesticide Education Network works to reduce risks and protect Maryland from PFAS “forever chemicals”.

Check out WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore first segment in a three-part series on our PFAS research. They are showing up at harmful levels in Marylanders’ blood, and pesticides are a major source of exposure. Communities in Maryland deserve safer alternatives.

America’s Dairyland May Have a PFAS Problem

NRDC

PFAS contamination from pesticides has become a growing concern for dairy products. These “forever chemicals” have been found in groundwater and even milk, posing risks to human health and wildlife. Communities are adopting safer farming practices and working to phase out harmful pesticides, proving that change is possible. Together, we can protect our health, our pets, and our environment by supporting pesticide-free solutions and demanding stronger protections in Maryland.

Why Are Pesticide Companies Fighting State Laws to Address PFAS?

Civil Eats

For over 30 years, MPEN has been a leading voice in protecting Marylanders from the risks of pesticides. As Civil Eats highlights, we’re taking on PFAS contamination—a toxic “forever chemical” linked to serious health risks. While Maine leads the way in PFAS bans, Maryland is striving to keep pace despite industry pushback. MPEN’s commitment to public health and environmental safety has never been stronger. Learn more about the fight against PFAS-pesticides and why state action matter.

‘Forever chemicals’ linked to poor sleep among young adults in first-of-its-kind study

USC Keck School of Medicine

A new study links “forever chemicals” (PFAS) to poor sleep in young adults—a reminder of how important it is to reduce chemical exposure in everyday life. These persistent chemicals, often found in pesticides and other environmental sources, may be affecting our sleep and well-being more than we realize. Minimizing pesticide use at home and advocating for campuses to go pesticide-free could be a step toward healthier environments and better sleep for students everywhere.

‘Forever chemicals’ found at Maryland plant, sparking investigation

Bay Journal

Recent tests have found alarming levels of PFAS—”forever chemicals”—in groundwater near Perdue AgriBusiness’s Salisbury facility. This has led to a class-action lawsuit and raises serious health concerns for the community.

Perdue is notifying affected homeowners and offering free bottled water, but there’s much more to the story.

These common chemicals could affect your health all over your body, expert says

CNN

We know we talk about PFAS often, but we want to thank CNN for providing this valuable and digestible breakdown of how these “forever chemicals” can affect our health. PFAS are found in so many everyday products—cookware, food, water, clothes, and more. Dr. Carmen Marsit explains how these chemicals are linked to cancers, thyroid diseases, and developmental delays. It’s a reminder that while progress is being made on regulations, it’s important to stay informed.

Maryland found ‘forever chemicals’ in school water fountains. Now what?

The Baltimore Banner

As we gear up for another school year, the safety of our children’s drinking water is under scrutiny. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” have been found in the water of 34 Maryland schools. These insidious chemicals, used for decades in everyday items like food packaging and water-proofing materials, don’t break down easily and are linked to serious health risks, including cancer and immune system problems.

We must insist on stricter regulations in Maryland. Stay tuned to see how you can help MPEN’s mission of lessening Maryland’s PFAS exposure.

PFAS widely added to US pesticides despite EPA denial, study finds

The Guardian

New research reveals that toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” are widely added to US pesticides, despite EPA denials. These chemicals, linked to cancer and other serious health problems, are now increasingly found in products that directly impact our food and water supply.

It’s disturbing to see the EPA’s claims contradicted by their own approved ingredients list, showing a significant rise in PFAS use. We need transparency and action to eliminate these harmful substances from our environment, especially in products like pesticides that have such direct exposure to the population.

EPA Misleads Public on PFAS Agricultural Harm

The New Lede

EPA documents indicate the agency may have presented false information to the public about testing for harmful per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in pesticides, according to allegations being made by a watchdog group and a former EPA research fellow.

Maryland Advances Legislation on PFAS in Pesticides

Maryland Pesticide Education Network

This May, Governor Moore signed legislation establishing a 6-month three-agency study to research & verify currently existing testing methods for PFAS in pesticides used in Maryland. This wouldn’t have been possible without the huge support this bill had received from all of you!

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Common mosquito pesticide packed with PFAS

EE News

“A pesticide widely used for mosquito control in Maryland and other states contains so-called forever chemicals — including a notorious compound phased out of U.S. production years ago due to health concerns — according to recent test results.”

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Pesticide Packaging

EPA

The EPA confirms: PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) are found in pesticide products.

“As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) extensive efforts to address PFAS, the agency is making new information available about EPA testing showing PFAS contamination from fluorinated containers.”

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in pesticide used on millions of Mass. acres when spraying for mosquitoes

Boston Globe

Toxic ‘forever chemical’ PFAS found in Sumethrin, used on millions of acres when spraying for mosquitoes. Sumethrin is in the same class of pesticides as the pesticide permethrin, applied by Dept. of Agriculture in communities signed up for its mosquito control program and used by private companies here in Maryland. To be determined: whether permethrin also contains PFAS.

Toxic PFAS chemicals discovered in hundreds of products

The Intercept

“Climbing ropes, guitar strings, and hand sanitizer are among the newly reported uses for the toxic “forever” chemicals.”