Better Planet
Mysterious California landfill fire raises major health fears
A reaction deep within Chiquita Canyon Landfill is releasing noxious gases and vapors, raising concerns for nearby residents.
Better Planet
St. Lawrence River contaminated with toxic drugs
Caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac and ibuprofen were all found in the water, at particularly high concentrations near urban areas.
Better Planet
Seattle's salmon death problem may be step nearer a solution
New permeable pavements may retain toxic chemicals shed from car tires, preventing them from leaking into streams where coho salmon spawn.
Putin allies face crisis as they run out of water
The water supply in the city of Sevastopol is shut off Tuesday and Wednesday due to pollution in the area.
Seal being choked by plastic ring finally freed after 6 years
Weighing over 440 pounds, the seal had been swimming around with the plastic around his neck for six years.
News
Americans eat up to 3.8 million bits of plastic each year via protein alone
Some protein sources contain significantly more microplastics than others—and not just seafood.
Millions of toxic "mermaid tears" engulf coastline and threaten wildlife
These pellets can leach polluting chemicals and bacteria, which can be harmful to marine animals that end up eating them.
News
Chemists warn bottled water 100 times worse for plastic than thought
The water tested was found to contain 240,000 plastic particles per liter on average, scientists warn.
News
Bizarre plastic rocks now found across five continents
One expert told Newsweek that these deposits are a "danger to ocean sustainability, blue economy and overall human health."
Toxicologists warn of cancer risk from arsenic in foods
Traces of arsenic may result in thousands of new cases of cancer in the United States yearly.
It's Time for President Biden to Take on America's Trucking Cartel
President Joe Biden has just months to act on his promise to protect Americans from deadly freight pollution while making America a clean vehicle leader.
Hair products plus hot styling tools may equal health risk, scientists warn
The very same products that protect our hair could in fact be damaging our health.
Surprisingly large effects from breathing traffic fumes inside your car
Driving in heavy traffic can significantly affect our physical health, even from the confines of our cars.
News
North Atlantic orcas reveal ocean's toxic pollution crisis
A new study of orcas has revealed the accumulation of hazardous chemicals in blubber samples.
News
Pollution from U.S. coal power killed 460,000 people in two decades — Study
Coal-burning pollution has been found to have a mortality risk 2.1 times higher than particulates emitted by all other sources.
Endangered sea turtles face more risk
"Some heavy metals, such as cadmium and antimony, were correlated with more females than expected," biologist Arthur Barraza told Newsweek.
Ten-foot whale is killed by party balloon
All of the whale calf's tissues seemed normal during the necropsy—until they opened her stomach.
Dangerous "forever chemicals" in your everyday items are causing cancer
PFAS chemicals, found in household objects including non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing, are linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancers.
Blow for Kate Middleton's hobby after health warning
The Princess of Wales has a passion for cold water swimming, but beaches near her country retreat have been subject to sewage warnings.
How to finally clear your home of lingering wildfire chemicals
As wildfire smoke spreads across the United States, it's important to know how to keep ourselves and our homes safe.
News
"Plastic rainfall" contaminating nearly everything people eat and drink
The tiny plastics may act as cloud nuclei, affecting climate systems and weather patterns worldwide.
Sustainability
Scientists use bacteria to turn plastic into useful substances
Researchers developed genetically engineered strains of one type of bacteria that they say could help to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Starving bear euthanized with trash-blocked stomach: "horrific way to die"
"We could not leave a sick bear like this knowing it was suffering and struggling to survive," the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department said.
Planet Heroes
Inventor Fionn Ferreira has a plan to extract plastic from the oceans
The 22-year-old chemistry student and entrepreneur says that there's no problem too big to "build something to solve it"
Paper straws might not be better for you or the environment
Scientists warn that paper straws may contain toxic-forever chemicals that can harm you and the planet.
World's largest fish "freaking out" fishermen off Texas coast
"Those things get to 40 foot. And this was a juvenile so it was probably something around 20 to 25 foot," one fisherman said.
Whales and dolphins are now partly made of plastic: Study
A new study suggests that when ingested, microplastics can travel through the digestive tract and get lodged in tissues on the way.
My Health Is a Victim of a Warming Planet
Climate change—and the pollution that causes it—makes people sicker. Adding record-breaking heat waves makes it even worse.
Sex toys shed fertility-damaging chemicals
Scientists have found that several types of sex toys contain phthalate chemicals at levels higher than the regulatory limit in children's toys.
We Have to Get Real and Fix Fossil-Fuel Vehicles, Too. Now
Electric cars alone won't save us from climate change.