Environmental Chemistry 2024

 Lauren Sprow   News article: https://nypost.com/2024/02/15/business/80-of-americans-test-positive-for-chemical-found-in-cheerios-that-may-cause-infertility/ Journal article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-024-00643-4     Background:        Chlormequat chloride is a pesticide used as a plant growth regulator (PGR). It blocks hormones in the stem of plants to ensure uniformity of plant growth.This prevents stem breakage, improving harvestability and quality of small-stemmed grains. 1 It was discovered at Michigan State University in 1960, where it was noted that the most successful method of application was soil application, though spraying it onto the leaves and soaking the seeds before planting were also effective. 2 The most common method of applying chlormequat chloride is as a spray with a volume of 2-3 quarts per 100 square feet. 3 However, spray application leads to increased risk of health effects due to diffusion of spray solut...

Scientists have invented a method to break down 'forever chemicals' in our drinking water. Here’s how  Kate Berges News Article: Link   or https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/04/forever-chemicals-pfas-drinking-water/  Journal: Link or https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653523000097              PDF LINK Background :         As we have previously established in this class, polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are found commercially in water & stainproof fabrics, nonstick coatings and firefighting materials.  While the greatest risk is to children, they show risks to the entire population. We have not discussed why they are considered ‘forever chemicals’ within the broad umbrella of organic pollutants, and why they last practically forever in the environment.  The C-F bond in PFAS is incredibly strong, requiring some sort of catalysis to break down and has not curr...

  News article: https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/health/fda-tampons-heavy-metals-wellness/ Research paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024004355?via%3Dihub Background Recently there has been growing interest in studying menstrual products such as tampons as potential chemical exposure sources. Tampons have received special attention due to their function necessitating direct contact with epithelial tissue in the genital region. Several studies over the past few years have revealed the presence of chemical congeners like dioxins and furans in tampons, but this study conducted by Jenni Shearston et. al.  is the first to investigate the concentrations of toxic heavy metals. This study garnered a fair bit of attention and controversy when it was first published, particularly in a somewhat misleading press release article from Berkeley Public Health, which overextended the claims of the paper and failed to highlight its limitations.  In her arti...

 Nature Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07758-6#Sec10 Washington Post Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/09/04/plastic-waste-burned-study/ Background: Macroplastic waste, defined as plastic waste particles larger than 5 mm, are accumulating in the environment, following significant increases in production over recent decates, impacting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, along with the atmosphere. [1, 2] There are numerous methods for plastic waste disposal, including biodegradation (when possible), recycling, and landfills. [2] However, existing global infrastructure is not always sufficient to process plastic wastes, leading to large volumes of mismanaged plastic waste that is often either burned in open air or transported to back into the environment uncontrollably. [3, 4] While reducing plastic waste is a major concern, it is also important to improve plastic processing infrastructure to keep plastic waste controlled....

  Gigi Chen  News Article: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/health/preterm-birth-phthalates-study-wellness/index.html   Journal Article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00270-X/fulltext   Background: Phthalates are plasticizers and one of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastics. 1 These compounds are present to increase the flexibility and plasticity of material and improve the workability, distensibility, and printability and are found in a variety of plastic products, including food packaging and personal care product packaging. 2 However, these compounds have been suggested to either inhibit or stimulate hormone levels, altering pathways of movement and the overall function of these hormones. While not all the action mechanisms of EDCs are known, exposure to these compounds has been shown to cause reproductive, metabolic, neurologic disorders, inhibition of cardiovascular development, and cancer. 3 Rece...

  Kayleigh Reilly News Article: Climate change: Coral samples show Great Barrier Reef ‘in danger’ Scientific Article: Highest ocean heat in four centuries places Great Barrier Reef in danger | Nature Background                 Coral reefs cover only 1% of the world’s oceans but are home to more than 25% of the world’s marine life. 1 Along with housing a significant number of marine life they provide many other benefits including protecting shorelines, assisting in building beaches, supporting jobs and businesses through tourism and recreation, and providing food for coastal and inland communities. 1 Unfortunately due to warmer water temperatures among other factors coral has been experiencing a phenomena known as bleaching. 2 Bleaching is caused when coral becomes stressed, usually a result caused by changes in living conditions such as temperature, light, and nutrients. 2 Coral exists in a symbiotic rela...