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Former Detroit Mayor Duggan cites toxic political climate, suspending his run for Michigan governor
DETROIT (AP) — Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Thursday that he is suspending his campaign for Michigan governor citing an increasingly “toxic” political climate due to President Donald Trump's war with Iran and skyrocketing gas prices.
America’s ‘Everything Is Rigged’ Era Is Toxic
Everything, it seems, is rigged these days.
Sacramento County health officials issue warning after wild mushroom poisonings
Sacramento County health officials are cautioning residents after three recent cases of poisoning linked to toxic wild mushrooms in the county.
Effects of early exposure to toxic metals
Scientists found that toxic metal exposures during specific time windows increased the risk of brain and mental health symptoms a decade later.
In deep blue California, Dems find a villain toxic enough to rival Trump: The power company
Rising electricity prices have frustrated voters, creating a prime target for candidates.
Science behind sobriety field tests
Albany High students in Elizabeth Lopatniuk's health classes participated in a dynamic lesson about the effects of alcohol on the body. After taking an in-depth look at the science behind why and how alcohol slows the activities of the brain and central nervous system, students learned about how a variety of factors can impact the level of intoxication and how blood alcohol concentration can impair one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Albany High Student Resource Officer Nick Schuler led students through an overview of field sobriety tests that are routinely performed during a traffic stop when an officer suspects a driver may be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Schuler explained the three elements of a physical sobriety test, including walking a straight line with turns and checks for motor skill patterns, standing on one foot to check for balance and following a moving stimulus with eyes only to check for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), an involuntary, rhythmic jerking of the eyes as they look to the side. Students volunteered to try walking a straight line both with and without alcohol impairment simulation goggles. Officer Schuler pointed out particular behaviors and patterns that would lead to a failed field sobriety test during the simulation. As prom and graduation festivities approach, we applaud our Albany High staff for empowering our Falcons with valuable lessons so they can make wise and safe choices.
Science behind sobriety field tests
Albany High students in Elizabeth Lopatniuk's health classes participated in a dynamic lesson about the effects of alcohol on the body. After taking an in-depth look at the science behind why and how alcohol slows the activities of the brain and central nervous system, students learned about how a variety of factors can impact the level of intoxication and how blood alcohol concentration can impair one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Albany High Student Resource Officer Nick Schuler led students through an overview of field sobriety tests that are routinely performed during a traffic stop when an officer suspects a driver may be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Schuler explained the three elements of a physical sobriety test, including walking a straight line with turns and checks for motor skill patterns, standing on one foot to check for balance and following a moving stimulus with eyes only to check for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), an involuntary, rhythmic jerking of the eyes as they look to the side. Students volunteered to try walking a straight line both with and without alcohol impairment simulation goggles. Officer Schuler pointed out particular behaviors and patterns that would lead to a failed field sobriety test during the simulation. As prom and graduation festivities approach, we applaud our Albany High staff for empowering our Falcons with valuable lessons so they can make wise and safe choices.
Scientists reverse Alzheimer’s in mice with breakthrough nanotechnology
A new nanotechnology treatment reversed Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice by restoring the brain’s natural cleanup system. The specially engineered nanoparticles helped clear toxic amyloid proteins from the brain and repair the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects and regulates the brain’s environment. In one striking experiment, elderly mice treated with the therapy later behaved like healthy younger mice.
Ten times worse than benzene — California updates its science on two air contaminants
California health officials have released new scientific findings about health risks from exposure to two air toxics present in California's ambient air, acrolein and ethylene oxide.
Why a lack of civic education is making US politics toxic
A lack of civic education is making American politics toxic, leading to polarization and even justifying political violence.
You can reverse much of the damage alcohol has done to your body, science says
Even mild drinking is toxic to the body, contributing to long-term disease. Yet in many cases you can reverse that damage, experts say.
You can reverse much of the damage alcohol has done to your body, science says
Even mild drinking is toxic to the body, contributing to long-term disease. Yet in many cases you can reverse that damage, experts say.
Sam Altman faces awkward grilling over 'toxic culture of lying'
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was bombarded with questions from Elon Musk's attorney over whether he lies to advance his business interests.
Trump’s rollback of toxic gas rules limits EPA’s authority to protect public health, analysis says
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is about 60 times more carcinogenic than believed in 2006, research finds
Dear Abby: I took the beatings that should have gone to my brother
Is there any way I can change our toxic family at this point?
Chicago Teachers Union wants $8.5 million dues hike to fund politics
“Has your brand become toxic?” This was a pointed question from WGN Political Editor Tahman Bradley, posed to Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates in a recent interview. Her immediate response: “I don’t understand the question.” When pressed, Gates added, “The Chicago Teachers Union is not a political party, it is a labor union.” But internal union documents show CTU leadership is trying to skim $8.5 million more from teacher paychecks explicitly for politics, while trying to silence union members critical of Gates’ leadership. Under the proposed dues hike, Chicago teachers would see up to $800 more per year flow from their paychecks to union coffers. The union already takes in more than $40 million a year, mostly from dues. And it spends less than 18 cents of every dollar on teacher representation. The No. 1 reason for the proposed dues hike? Politics. “We must win a majority of the first 21 person fully elected school board in November,” reads the first point in CTU’s member FAQ document.1 This directly contradicts CTU’s promise to members about how leadership uses dues money. The official CTU handbook tells members that the union does not use dues money for politics, so if they are interested in funding political activity, they should consider voluntary donations to CTU’s political action committee. “Our dues are not used for political purposes,” according to the handbook. “So our PAC relies on extra contributions from our members to support progressive candidates and to impact elected officials at the city, county and state levels.” This kind of double-speak is one reason members are concerned about another constitutional change slipped into the dues hike vote, which will take place on May 20-21: an attempt to stop members from holding the union accountable. A proposed amendment to the union constitution tries to place limits on when members may bring a lawsuit against the union for violating members’ rights.2 This provision is clearly a response to members’ lawsuit against union leadership regarding Gates’ years-long refusal to publish audited financial statements. The judge in that case has repeatedly denied the union’s attempts to dismiss it. Teachers opposed to these changes have been circulating this flier, urging members to vote no. What will CTU members get in return for millions of dollars in additional dues? If the 2024 school board elections are any indication—not much. CTU leadership’s record on school board races may not inspire confidence among members. A Chicago Policy Center analysis of a dozen affiliated PACs found CTU spent nearly $2.9 million on school board races in 2024. Of that spending, more than $2.1 million (75%) went to losing candidates. And while CTU-backed candidates lost six of the nine competitive seats overall, they fared worse in their biggest-spending races, losing five of six contests in which the union and its affiliates put up more than $250,000 for their candidate. The Chicago school board elections take place Nov. 3.3 Is another $8.5 million enough to clean up a toxic reputation? Not likely. Update on federal tax credit scholarship: Last week, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to opt into the federal tax credit scholarship program. If Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker follows suit, Illinois could unlock $1 billion in donor money statewide for both public- and private-school students. If Illinois does not opt in, that money will flow to other states. The Last Ward reported in February on how Illinois Democrats could unlock at least $100 million in new resources for Chicago public-school students by opting in. Update on the investigation into how Chicagoans learned about a meeting to hike their property taxes: The Last Ward reported in January on an absurd, taxpayer-funded investigation into how local media learned of a planned Chicago school board meeting to hike the district’s property tax levy. That investigation is now complete. Lawyers interviewed two dozen witnesses, and found nothing. Update on Illinois’ muni debt crisis: My colleague Joe Tabor last week published a must-read piece in Crain’s Chicago Business about how Illinois recently rejected south suburban Harvey’s request to be designated a “distressed city.” The saga shows why the state must implement a better structure to assist insolvent local governments, including allowing for the option to pursue debt relief via Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The Last Ward reported in October on how Harvey is tipping the first domino in Illinois’ municipal debt crisis. Mincing Rascals: I joined the Mincing Rascals podcast to discuss the SAFE-T Act, the millionaires tax, and more. My “green light” recommendation: Force Majeure (2014). 1 Notably, the No. 2 reason cited is “resources to fund a state-wide millionaires tax campaign in order to fully fund the state’s school funding formula.” The constitutional amendment necessary to implement a progressive income tax in Illinois recently died in the Illinois House, meaning this question would not appear on the ballot until 2028 at the earliest. 2 There is seemingly no single-subject rule for CTU constitutional amendments. So members only get one vote on the full package. One cannot vote “yes” on the dues hike and “no” on the restriction of members’ rights, for example. 3 Illinois law grants far too much power over local government to unelected officials like Gates. State lawmakers should fix that.
New chemical kills 95% of termites without harming humans
Scientists may have found a smarter, safer way to wipe out termites hiding inside homes. A chemical called bistrifluron prevents drywood termites from forming new exoskeletons during molting, killing entire colonies from within. In tests, it eliminated about 95% of termites while avoiding the toxic side effects of traditional fumigation. Researchers say the method could provide longer-lasting protection as termites spread into new areas.
2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Award
First year Materials and Nanoscience graduate student Stéphane Miaule (Tolbert group) has been awarded the 2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, one of the country’s most prestigious honors for graduate students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, supports doctoral students across a broad range of scientific and technological fields of strategic importance. This highly competitive fellowship provides full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for three years. In 2026, only 102 fellowships were awarded nationwide, and Stéphane is the sole recipient from UCLA. Before transferring from Santa Monica College to UCLA, Stéphane interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, where he researched the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of lunar regolith, as well as radiation shielding materials for lunar habitation development. At UCLA, he joined the Soft Materials Research Laboratory under Professor Qibing Pei, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of hafnium oxide nanocomposite scintillators. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, he remained in the Soft Materials Research Laboratory as a post-baccalaureate researcher for one year before joining Professor Sarah Tolbert’s group as a Ph.D. student. Stéphane’s Ph.D. research is focused on improving the properties of conjugated polymers, which are a family of plastic materials that can conduct electricity. Stéphane is specifically looking at self-assembling polymers that can be processed in water to create light-weight, flexible, high-conductivity polymer devices without the need for toxic or volatile organic solvents. After completing his Ph.D., Stéphane hopes to work in a national laboratory, researching semiconducting polymers for applications in new electronic devices. “The Graduate (1967) featured a memorable scene in which the protagonist was told that ‘there’s a great future in plastics.’ We know this still holds true today, as polymer research has expanded rapidly due to the wide variety of applications these materials enable. Through my work on semiconducting polymers, I hope to contribute to the continued development of plastic electronics,” Stéphane said. Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
Elon Musk witness testimony hits Sam Altman in trial
From claims of safety taking a back seat to the "toxic culture" he created, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman faced a tough day in court.
New water battery could last until the 24th century — and it can be safely discarded in the environment
With no toxic elements to dispose of, the new aqueous battery design could dramatically improve the safety and longevity of battery energy-storage systems.
This simple amino acid supplement greatly reduces Alzheimer’s damage
A new study suggests a surprisingly simple compound could help fight Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that arginine—an inexpensive amino acid already considered safe—can reduce the buildup of toxic amyloid proteins in the brain, a hallmark of the disease. In animal models, oral arginine not only lowered harmful protein deposits but also improved behavior and reduced brain inflammation.
Opinion | In a Minneapolis Public School, a Cure for Toxic Politics
This school gave me hope for our democracy.
First-ever 3D view shows how killer T cells destroy cancer
The body’s “killer” T cells don’t just attack—they strike with astonishing precision, forming a tiny, highly organized contact zone that lets them destroy dangerous cells without harming their neighbors. Now, scientists have captured this process in unprecedented detail, revealing a hidden world of molecular choreography.
The Guardian view on Trump and the Washington shooting: political violence and gun culture endanger all
Editorial: Determining the attacker’s motivation may take time. But toxic rhetoric, polarisation and the ubiquity of firearms are a dangerous mix
Pavement Made from Algae Could Cut Toxic Asphalt Fumes by 100 Times and Make Roads Last Longer
Scientists are turning toxic, petroleum-based asphalt into sustainable, self-healing roads using fast-growing algae.
Can peace descend in Oldham's 'toxic' politics?
Candidates are vying to bring an end to a fractured political scene in the Tameside town.
Rich nations' plastic waste is burned for fuel abroad, creating grave health risks
The result is a witches brew of toxic compounds contaminating, air, soil, and food.
Pragmata works because it isn't a "sad dad" game
Despite appearances, Pragmata isn't a "sad dad" game, but an example of upbeat, non-toxic masculinity. It's more like a dad cab game.
Franklin County judge temporarily blocks Ohio’s intoxicating hemp ban for two businesses
Missouri Hemp Businesses Ask Governor To Veto Bill That Would 'Eliminate' The Industry
“It would effectively eliminate an entire industry in Missouri—the hemp industry—regardless of any federal change in legislation.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independenta Gov. Mike Kehoe’s (R) office received 10,000 handwritten letters Tuesday asking him to veto a Missouri bill that would impose a statewide ban on intoxicating hemp products. The letters, gathered in just 10 […]
Tijuana River sewage is making the air toxic, scientists say
For decades, billions of gallons of sewage and industrial waste have been dumped into the Tijuana River.
Times Opinion: Let’s expel toxic right-wing politics from the Hamilton County Board of Education
Within national politics, we are living in a world dominated by a toxic political environment. While that is severely toned down at the local level, it does seep through into one realm: our schools.
Life on Mars? Tiny cells just survived shock waves and toxic soil
Mars may be hostile, but it might not be entirely unlivable. In lab experiments, yeast cells survived simulated Martian shock waves and toxic perchlorate salts—two major environmental threats on the Red Planet. Their secret weapon was forming protective molecular clusters that shield critical cellular functions under stress. Without these defenses, survival plummeted, pointing to a potential universal strategy life could use beyond Earth.
Non-toxic South Shore brand Minot Candles explains why sustainability is so important to business
Unusual airborne toxin detected in the U.S. for the first time
Scientists searching for air pollution clues stumbled onto something unexpected: toxic MCCPs drifting through the air for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. The likely source—fertilizer made from sewage sludge—points to a hidden route for contamination.
Exclusive: Four women describe sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, including a former staffer who says he raped her
A former staffer of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, says that the congressman raped her when she was heavily intoxicated, an allegation Swalwell strongly denies.
EPA Proposes to Gut Federal Coal Ash Cleanup Requirements and Health Protections
Earthjustice will sue to stop the EPA from rewriting the rules for coal power companies’ toxic sludge
Fracking Industry Misuses Science to Push Toxic Waste Rule
New Analysis Finds Falsified Produced Water Science Ahead of High-Stakes New Mexico Decision
Scientists Are Recycling Centuries-Old Bullets for a Badly Needed Toxic Compound
Researchers want to recycle more lead waste for high-tech solar panels via a new method.
Scientists Are Recycling Centuries-Old Bullets for a Badly Needed Toxic Compound
Researchers want to recycle more lead waste for high-tech solar panels via a new method.
Ohio’s First Forensic Toxicology Master’s Program Opens for Enrollment at UToledo
The online program, which now has state approval, is built on UToledo’s “deep toxicology and pharmacology foundation.”
Hemp businesses in Mass. unclear on future as federal ban looms
The ban, aimed at wiping out intoxicating “gas station weed,” may also kill a multibillion dollar CBD wellness market, producers warn.
State of Texas: Smokable hemp ban takes effect, businesses work to adapt
A new state rule banning the sale of intoxicating hemp flower is now in effect in Texas. Business owners say the impact is immediate.
ARPA-H launches groundbreaking, $144 million program to combat toxic microplastics in the human body
New STOMP program will uncover how microplastics build up in the body—and drive new ways to protect people from their potential health impact.
Sharing her passion for science
By Danielle Rush Communications Specialist, Indiana University Kokomo Hisako Masuda, Indiana University Kokomo professor of biochemistry, was honored by the Indiana Academy of Science (IAS) as its 2026 Distinguished Scholar. The award is given to an individual who is recognized by the IAS as having an exceptional record of scholarship. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted to its awards committee. “I was surprised,” said Masuda, who joined IU Kokomo’s faculty in 2013. “I feel there are many good scientists in the Academy, so I wasn’t expecting it at all.” Patrick Motl, dean of the School of Sciences, said the Academy recognizes up to one member per year, and that Masuda is the second or third IU Kokomo faculty member to receive the commendation. “Clearly this speaks to the strength of Dr. Masuda’s accomplishments in research and scholarship and that her work stands out amongst her peers in Indiana,” said Motl, who received the award in 2019. “Many of the institutions that participate in the IAS are undergraduate institutions or primarily undergraduate institutions, but even having that caveat, Dr. Masuda has built and maintains a very active research program in her lab, working exclusively with undergraduates. She is passionate about science and can share that passion with her students. To carry on a quality research program with so many students involved in so many projects is truly remarkable and I am glad that the IAS acknowledged that for Dr. Masuda.” The IAS specifically commended her for involving more than 50 undergraduates in her research in bacterial metabolism, genomics, and their phenotypic plasticity at IU Kokomo, and publishing 23 articles with many student co-authors. Masuda’s current work primarily focuses on biodegradation and chemical repurposing of nylon. Using soil bacteria, her lab studies bacterial biodegradation of nylon and other environmental pollutants. She applies principles of green chemistry while developing a method to convert nylon waste into other nontoxic polymers. In collaborative work with health scientists, her lab investigates gut microbiomes of Indiana native birds as well as human subjects in a clinical study. She became interested in converting plastic waste while earning her Ph.D. at Rutgers University, working on methods to remove environmental waste not using chemicals or other intrusive methods. She learned about Nylon 11, which is used in pipes for transferring oil, interior components for cars, catheters, and in other industrial hard plastics. Nylon 11 is nontoxic, she added, so it is safe to include students in the research. “Those are considered to be nonbiodegradable, and have to go to a landfill,” she said. “I thought if we could come up with a way to biodegrade it, that would make some kind of impact.” Eventually, she wants to develop a product that would convert nylon waste to something useful, and to reduce waste and microplastics in the environment. “That would be my goal at some point, that we can make that change, and also make people more aware of their use of plastics,” she said. “I hope students stop to think about what we can do as scientists to address issues currently impacting us.” She appreciates the IAS for its support of scientific research at Indiana institutions, and IU Kokomo and the School of Sciences for providing funding for students to attend the Academy’s annual meeting. She added that IU Kokomo has also supported her research with funding from the School of Sciences and Academic Affairs. “Without that, I couldn’t do my research,” she said. Masuda has also earned a Senior Research Grant from the IAS, IU Kokomo’s Distinguished Research Award, and the IU Kokomo Junior Faculty Annual Research Award. She is a Fellow of the Indiana Academy of Science. Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.
Scientists Think Our Ancestors Ate Toxic Plants—And Lived to Tell The Tale
A new study from a 7,000-year-old settlement in North Macedonia reveals evidence that ancient peoples near the Mediterranean processed toxic plants for safe consumption.
Predicting Harmful Algal Blooms and Toxicity in the San Francisco Estuary
In fall 2023, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a five‑year, $3 million Monitoring and Event Response Research Program (MERHAB) grant to improve Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) detection in the San Francisco Estuary.
Health, Green Groups Sue EPA Over Mercury Standards Rollback
The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's recent repeal of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants.
Toxic Ocean Crisis in Papua New Guinea Sparks Mass Marine Die-Off and Public Health Emergency
Thousands of dead fish are washing ashore and people are falling ill too, as officials investigate possible sources of contamination.
Mark Kiszla: Summit’s stadium-shaking debut shatters views on women’s sports
As the stadium shook from a record 63,004 soccer fans stomping their feet, Denver Summit shouted a revolutionary statement to the world. Female sports aren’t just for little girls anymore. “When everybody was stomping their feet, it was like a giant rumble. That was so … intoxicating,” Summit goalkeeper Abby Smith said Saturday, when the […]
Mark Kiszla: When Summit shakes stadium, old biased views of women’s sports crumble
As the stadium shook from a record 63,004 soccer fans stomping their feet, Denver Summit shouted a revolutionary statement to the world. Female sports aren’t just for little girls anymore. “When everybody was stomping their feet, it was like a giant rumble. That was so … intoxicating,” Summit goaltender Abby Smith said Saturday, when the […]
Missouri CBD, Kratom Retailer Rejects AG’s Cease-and-Desist Letter
State Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sent letters to 33 businesses, ordering them to stop selling ‘intoxicating cannabis’ products.
Iran war's environmental toll could leave damage and health risks for decades, experts say
The Iran war is unleashing a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that threaten everything from agriculture to drinking water to people’s health.
Iran war's environmental toll could leave damage and health risks for decades, experts say
The Iran war is unleashing a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that threaten everything from agriculture to drinking water to people’s health.
Global Chemicals Science Panel Fails to Launch After Chaotic First Meeting - Center for International Environmental Law
Global chemicals science panel stalls after chaotic first meeting in Geneva, exposing political obstruction and delays in tackling toxic pollution.
Glyphosate: A story of science, risk, and nuance
In the summer of 2014, a California groundskeeper named Dewayne Johnson started noticing patches of raw, weeping skin spreading across his body. He had spent years applying Roundup, Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide, for a school district, sometimes drenched in it when equipment malfunctioned. By 2014, he had a diagnosis: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2018, a jury awarded him $289 million in damages, later reduced on appeal. Tens of thousands of lawsuits followed. The story hasn’t quieted down. It’s all over the internet, swinging between “this will kill you, buy organic” and “relax, you’re fear-mongering.” Some of that recent chatter stems from an Executive Order protecting glyphosate and its production, which set off intense infighting within the MAHA movement. Some of it reflects a deeper truth: Americans genuinely care about harmful chemicals in their environment (see poll below). And the conversation isn’t going anywhere, with a Supreme Court case involving Monsanto set for this April. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. But does glyphosate cause cancer? And how much exposure is actually risky? With so much mistrust in institutions and corporations (and some genuine conflicts of interest), making sense of the actual scientific evidence is genuinely hard. Here is a translation of what the scientific evidence actually says. Does glyphosate cause harm? Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills most plants it contacts rather than targeting specific species. It works by blocking an enzyme pathway (EPSPS) that plants and many microorganisms need to produce essential amino acids. Without those amino acids, the plant can’t grow and dies. Glyphosate was first developed by Monsanto in the 1970s and became ubiquitous after the company introduced “Roundup Ready” crops in the 1990s. In 2024, Bayer removed glyphosate from residential Roundup-branded products due to litigation pressure. But today it is still the most widely used herbicide in the world. Farmers also discovered they could spray it directly on crops like oats, lentils, beans, and peas just before harvest to dry them out faster and make harvesting easier. Because of its widespread use, it’s obviously really important to understand if it’s harmful to humans. The key principle: The dose makes the poison The most important concept in toxicology is that “the dose makes the poison.” Sixteenth-century physician Paracelsus articulated what remains the foundational principle of toxicology: sola dosis facit venenum. Water will kill you if you drink enough of it. Aspirin saves lives at 81 milligrams and causes internal bleeding at higher chronic doses. So, at what dose is glyphosate poisonous? The LD50 in rats (the dose that kills half the test animals) is around 5,600 mg/kg body weight. Table salt is roughly 3,000 mg/kg. By that classic measure, glyphosate is less acutely toxic than salt. But some people are exposed to a lot of glyphosate through their work. And among the general public, there are many questions about low-dose, cumulative exposure from multiple sources over long periods. Does glyphosate cause health problems? Cancer Correlation maps are striking, with one analysis finding that 60% of counties that spray the most glyphosate have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma rates above the national average. But correlation alone doesn’t establish cause, which is why animal and human studies matter. In animals: Rat studies are typically what most fear is rooted in, but most people don’t know the study details on the dosage given to rats. A pooled analysis of the 13 most rigorous rat studies found evidence that very high doses, around 55,000 times greater than typical food residue exposure, can cause certain cancers. In humans: One of the strongest studies followed 55,000 herbicide users over 20 years and found no overall increased cancer risk. There was one signal: among those with the highest use, rates of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) appeared elevated. A broader meta-analysis of 18 human studies also found no overall cancer risk, though a separate meta-analysis focused specifically on non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that people with high cumulative glyphosate exposure faced a 41% higher relative risk compared to those with low or no exposure. These human studies are observational studies (randomized controlled trials would be unethical), and meta-analyses are only as reliable as the studies they pool. But the story seems consistent: at very high exposure levels, there may be some cancer risk. But that’s about as far as the science currently takes us. Emerging research: gut and reproductive health Gut: Because glyphosate targets a pathway that exists in some gut bacteria, scientists have questioned whether it could affect the microbiome. In mice, a 2023 University of Iowa study found that glyphosate altered gut bacterial composition and raised markers of intestinal inflammation. A 2024 systematic review found similar patterns: disrupted gut bacteria and problems with the mucus layer that protects the intestinal wall in mice. Whether this translates to humans is an open question. The human gut is highly variable and resistant, and we don't yet have strong studies confirming the same effects in people. Reproductive health: Animal studies have found that glyphosate-based herbicides can interfere with reproductive hormones, including disrupting egg cell development in mice and reducing the number of eggs available in sheep’s ovaries. However, the doses used in these experiments were high, so it’s not yet clear whether the same effects would occur in humans. On the human side, a 2021 pilot study led by Mount Sinai researchers tested urine samples from pregnant women across the U.S. and found glyphosate in 95% of them. The study also found a possible connection between higher glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and a subtle physical difference measured in female newborns. That said, some connections weren’t statistically reliable and this was a small study. The researchers themselves said more and larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. What do regulators say about glyphosate safety? In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A). The classification is worth taking seriously. But, there’s an important distinction: IARC classifies hazard, meaning the potential to cause harm under some conditions. It does not assess risk, which accounts for actual exposure levels and the real-world probability of harm. The U.S. EPA, the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and regulatory agencies in Australia and Japan have all concluded that glyphosate is “unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans” at realistic exposure levels. They’re asking a different question: given how much of this people actually encounter, what is the probability of harm? Your actual exposure is what determines your actual risk. What does glyphosate mean for your daily life? At the grocery store: Food residues are small. The EPA’s acceptable daily intake is 1.75 mg/kg of body weight per day. To hit that threshold from oatmeal alone, a 150-pound adult would need to eat roughly 50 pounds of oats every day. But this calculation addresses only one pathway (food), and we don’t yet have robust tools to measure people’s actual total exposure. If reducing exposure matters to you, organic certification prohibits synthetic herbicides, and organic oat products generally test at lower or undetectable levels. Either way, a diet rich in whole grains, conventional or organic, is far better for your health than one that omits them out of fear of residues. On the farm: Occupational exposure is orders of magnitude higher than consumer exposure. Farmers and farm workers who mix, load, and apply glyphosate-based herbicides, especially without protective equipment, face meaningfully different risk profiles. Proper PPE isn’t optional. Integrated weed management strategies that rotate chemical modes of action are also worth taking seriously, both for health and for long-term effectiveness. If you live near a farm: Spray drift is real. Concentrations near field edges can spike during and after application, particularly on windy days. This is an area where I think public health could really step up and empower rural communities with buffer zones, rather than placing the onus on individuals. But for now, knowing your local agricultural calendar and keeping windows closed during application are the first steps. Bottom line Dewayne Johnson was exposed to glyphosate at levels most people will never encounter, and a jury decided he deserved compensation. That outcome is not evidence that the oatmeal in your pantry is dangerous. But it is a reminder that the dose, the context, and the person doing the exposing all matter enormously. Glyphosate is a chemical tool with benefits, trade-offs, and genuine open scientific questions. Learning to hold that complexity without collapsing into panic or dismissal is, honestly, one of the most useful and hardest things to do in navigating modern health science. Love, YLE Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife, and mom of two little girls. Hannah Totte, MPH, is an epidemiologist and YLE Community Manager. YLE reaches more than 425,000 people in over 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
Scientists just discovered bees and hummingbirds are drinking alcohol
Flower nectar often contains small amounts of alcohol, meaning pollinators like hummingbirds are drinking it all day long. Despite consuming human-equivalent amounts, they show no signs of intoxication—suggesting a surprising evolutionary tolerance.
Williamston woman accused of punching ECU Health police officer in face
Tyniqua Keener was charged with assaulting a company or campus police officer, intoxicated and disruptive, resisting a public officer, and disorderly conduct.
2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce: Nearly 100% tested positive for pesticides, including ‘forever chemicals’
The 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list of most contaminated produce has a worrisome finding. Many of the most common pesticides are also potentially toxic “forever chemicals.”
Business closed after new Ohio law banning intoxicating hemp products went into effect
Senate Bill 56 grants law enforcement the authority to remove intoxicating THC products from unlicensed retail locations,
Chelsea Handler claims RFK Jr. and Cheryl Hines sold her 'disaster' house: 'Most toxic environment'
Chelsea Handler is claiming that RFK Jr. and Cheryl Hines sold her a 'disaster' house that she still has not lived in to this day: 'The most toxic environment.'
Opinion | The Unlikely Alliance to Save East Palestine Ohio
In Ohio after a toxic chemical accident, finding common ground in the country’s health wars.
Potentially toxic ‘forever chemicals’ may harm adolescent bone health
Chemicals called PFAS may lower bone density in adolescents, a new study has found.
1,900-year-old double Scythian burial in Ukraine contains toxic red mineral
A double burial in Ukraine of two women from the Late Scythian culture contains a toxic red mineral, but exactly why it was used remains a mystery.
FDA move on flavored vapes rattles public health experts
New FDA guidance suggests mint, coffee, and spice vape flavors could be authorized, raising debate over toxic additives and youth vaping risks.
Rattlesnake bites spiking in Arizona as health officials warn of ‘blind spot’ danger
Banner Health’s toxicology team said the leading bite scenario this year involves areas that are difficult to see clearly.
The dangerous politics of US oil-driven redistribution
U.S. stock market indexes have weathered this month's oil shock well so far because investors expect only a glancing overall GDP hit from higher energy costs. But that resilience masks a potentially toxic shift of income from households to "Big Energy" - and packs big risks in an election year.
A surprising percentage of produce from the nation’s largest supplier contains ‘forever’ pesticides
Nearly 40% of California-grown nonorganic produce has residues from pesticides made from potentially toxic PFAS chemicals that can remain in the body for years.
‘Black rain’ in Iran prompts WHO health warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday warned that strikes on Iranian oil depots causing “black rain” could lead to respiratory problems as toxic pollutants disperse through the…
What are plasticizers, and are they bad for our health?
Tests in Germany show children and teens are contaminated with banned plasticizers. You may never have heard of these potentially toxic chemicals, but they're everywhere, including clothes, cosmetics and food packaging.
'No Girls Allowed' Box Set Spoofing Warhammer Hides Toxic Lead
Edgelord animation, riffing on Warhammer Space Marines, develops exciting new ways to ruin brains
Kristi Noem Survived Many Crises. Then She Crossed a Trump Red Line.
President Trump, who values loyalty, has at times tried to distance himself from his administration’s own actions when they become politically toxic.
Scientists just found the brain’s hidden defense against Alzheimer’s
A new study has uncovered why some brain cells are more resistant to Alzheimer’s damage than others. Researchers found a natural cleanup system that helps remove toxic tau protein before it can form harmful clumps. The study also shows that cellular stress can produce a dangerous tau fragment linked to Alzheimer’s. Strengthening the brain’s natural defenses could point the way to new treatments.
Without Weighing Costs to Public Health, EPA Rolls Back Air Pollution Standards for Coal Plants
The federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for coal and oil-fired power plants were strengthened during the Biden administration.
Former EPA Staff Detail Expanding Pollution Risks Under Trump
The Trump administration’s relentless rollback of public health and environmental protections has allowed widespread toxic exposures to flourish, warn experts who helped implement safeguards now under assault.
Trump Declared Victory in Minneapolis. But What Did He Accomplish?
The Trump administration came under fire for an operation that turned lethal and politically toxic. But the show of force may also have had a bigger purpose: to serve as a warning.
Men in their 50s may be aging faster due to toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Some types of “forever chemicals” are aging men in their 50s and early 60s faster than at other times of life, a new study found.
Hilary Duff on feuding with Lindsay Lohan, the 'toxic' mom group drama and more: 4 things we learned from her 'Call Her Daddy' interview
Duff makes one thing abundantly clear, though: Life has certainly been life-ing, and she's grateful to her fans for sticking by her more than 20 years later.
Michigan House committee hears testimony alleging mold, drugs, lack of health care at women’s prison
Lawmakers heard alarming testimony Tuesday detailing years of alleged neglect, toxic mold, illegal drugs, and inadequate health care at Michigan’s only women’s prison, prompting calls for oversight and policy changes.
One small step for dialing back the partisanship
Much ink, including a good deal of my own, has been spilled on the excesses of super-charged, toxic partisanship in this current era. Except for true believers along with those who profit from this all-consuming poison, there is broad agreement that it needs to be toned way down and dialed far back. The nearly 51% […]
Health Influencer’s Husband Lost 50 Lbs. in Under 4 Months. When They Discovered the Cause, They Had to Leave Home (Exclusive)
Hannah Holt, 25, and her husband, Chase, 26, lived in a house infested with toxic black mold for several months before finally realizing what was happening. The health influencer experienced respiratory issues and brain fog while her spouse suffered through extreme gastrointestinal symptoms.
Meet our new faculty: Pini Perera
Pini Perera’s work bridges molecular biology and toxicology to uncover the mechanisms behind environmental impacts on health.
UNM lecture to explore health risks of microplastics and environmental toxicants
The University of New Mexico Department of Physics, Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science hosts the next Science & Society Distinguished Public Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 19, featuring researcher Eliane El Hayek.
UNM lecture to explore health risks of microplastics and environmental toxicants
The University of New Mexico Department of Physics, Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science hosts the next Science & Society Distinguished Public Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 19, featuring researcher Eliane El Hayek.
Scientists completely eliminate toxic tau proteins from human neurons for the first time
Targeting OTULIN has proven to eliminate toxic tau proteins in human neurons for the first time, opening a new avenue for treating dementia.
Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now
In this month’s picks, avengers of the toxic variety and princesses of the cosmic variety.
Sports-politics' unholy alliance: Never-ending toxic relationship?
Sports and politics have never really been separate. Sport markets itself as fair play and unity, but politics is driven by power and interest. When they...
Hemp businesses rally against Chicago’s upcoming ban
Chicago’s upcoming ban on intoxicating hemp products has business owners rallying for a mayoral veto, warning it will shut down small businesses, cost jobs and disproportionately impact minority-owned establishments.
Youth Sports Can Turn Toxic. This District Focuses on Prevention
As sideline behavior worsens, athletic leaders focus on prevention, safety, and resetting expectations.
This tiny organism refused to die under Mars-like conditions
Baker’s yeast isn’t just useful in the kitchen — it may also be built for space. Researchers found that yeast cells can survive intense shock waves and toxic chemicals similar to those on Mars. The cells protect themselves by forming special stress-response structures that help them endure extreme conditions. This resilience could make yeast a powerful model for astrobiology and future space missions.
4 Dead in Mushroom Poisoning Outbreak in California
State health officials discouraged foraging this year, saying that toxic mushrooms can easily be confused with safe ones to eat.
Trump’s toxic, racist video surpasses previous levels of debasement
Video deleted by White House breaks through numbness barrier and raises further questions about fitness for office
They Came for Its Riches, but Big Business Is Souring on South Africa
The corporate exodus is accelerating, propelled by a toxic cocktail of corruption, lawlessness and poor infrastructure.
Fear, tears and stress: Workers allege toxic culture inside Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration
Nine current and former Colorado Behavioral Health Administration staffers told The Denver Post that Commissioner Dannette Smith fostered a chaotic and stressful work culture.
Toy Association Advocates for Science-Based Approach to California Microplastics Review
On January 30, The Toy Association™ submitted comments to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in response to the agency’s request for information regarding consumer products that contain or generate microplastics, including c
Scientists Warn: This “miracle cure” works only by damaging human cells
MMS has long been promoted as a miracle cure, but new research shows it’s essentially a toxic disinfectant. While it can kill bacteria, it only works at levels that also damage human cells and beneficial gut microbes. Scientists warn that homemade MMS mixtures are especially dangerous due to wildly inconsistent dosing. The study calls MMS a clear case where the risks are high—and the benefits are effectively zero.
Scientists finally may know why kidney patients die of heart disease
More than half of people with advanced kidney disease develop cardiovascular problems. A new study finds that diseased kidneys release tiny particles that are toxic to the heart.
Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories
Researchers found that small doses of an antibiotic can coax gut bacteria into producing a life-extending compound. In worms, this led to longer lifespans, while mice showed healthier cholesterol and insulin changes. Because the drug stays in the gut, it avoids toxic side effects. The study points to a new way of promoting health by targeting microbes rather than the body itself.