Yale Environmental Health Sciences Report (YEHS) Report - 11 March 2025.pptx

The Yale Environmental Health Science Report aims to:
- Inform a broad audience about the latest advancements in environmental health science.
- Curate and synthesize diverse sources—including news articles, reports, and graphics—into an engaging and easily accessible online platform.

Additionally, the report empowers students to:-
- Engage in service-learning opportunities. - Develop situational awareness of current environmental health issues.
- Enhance their learning through active participation and contributions.
- Provide valuable feedback and fresh perspectives to improve the report’s quality.

The YESH report features articles curated and summarized by graduate students from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health for educational purposes. AI-assisted tools are used in the editing process.

This report is intended for educational use only and may not be reproduced or distributed for commercial purposes.

1. NIH NCBI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE NIOSH CLIMATE CHANGE NOAA CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS NOAA ONE HEALTH DROUGHT.GOV NOAA -GLM USDA CLIMATE HUBS NWS NWS – HeatRisk USDA: CLIMATE SOLUTIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE HUB USGS NATIONAL WATER QUALITY NETWORK NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND DECISION SCIENCE HEAT.gov Yale Environmental Health Science (YESH) Report UN AND US GOVERNMENT LINKS UNITED NATIONS IPCC WHO – ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WHO - ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH UNEP FAO US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CDC NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CLIMATE AND HEALTH OUTLOOK DOD DOD CLIMATE RESILIENCE PORTAL DOD CLIMATE ACTION - RISK ANALYSIS, PLANS, AND STRATEGY DOL CHEMICAL HAZARDS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES HEAT HAZARDOUS WASTE OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (HAZWOPER) EPA AIRNOW CLIMATE CHANGE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTEGRATED RISK INFORMATION SYSTEM CLIMATE CHANGE AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN THE UNITED STATES REPORT FOODSAFETY.GOV NEWS SOURCES EHN NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON POST REUTERS CNN NBC CT SCIENCE DAILY SCIENCE NEWS NATURE INSIDE CLIMATE NEW FOOD SAFETY NETWORK VERYWELL HEALTH NEWSCIENTIST EARTH.ORG CARBON BRIEF PHYS.ORG JOURNALS AND ONLINE LIBRARIES BMC – ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH JAMA NETWORK THE LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY NOISE AND HEALTH NGO ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND (EDF): NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC) THE GLOBAL CLIMATE AND HEALTH ALLIANCE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION – STATE OF THE AIR FOODPRINT EWG PORTALS, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES THE U.S. CLIMATE VULNERABILITY INDEX CHEMICAL EXPOSURE ACTION MAP CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE SCREENING TOOL CLIMATE RISK AND RESILIENCE PORTAL (CLIMRR) CIDRAP HEATRISK DASHBOARD HEAT & HEALTH TRACKER ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DASHBOARD NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH TRACKING NETWORK DASHBOARD HARMARKET MEDICAL NETWORK GLOBAL CARBON PROJECT THE JOURNALIST'S RESOURCE LANCET COUNTDOWN ON HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANG CT AND OTHER RESOURCE LINKS CT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH This report features articles curated and summarized by graduate students from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health for educational purposes. AI-assisted tools are used in the editing process. This report is intended for educational use only and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes 11 March 2025 AIR POLLUTION TOXICOLOGY FOOD SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE CHEMICAL EXPOSURES ENVIRONMENTAL EPI ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CLIMATE CHANGE

2. IN THE NEWS: AIR POLLUTION U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SHUTS DOWN POLLUTION MONITORING ABROAD – THE NEW YORK TIMES: The U.S. State Department has shut down a long-running air quality monitoring program at embassies and consulates worldwide, citing budget constraints. Since 2008, these monitors have provided crucial data on pollution levels, often serving as the only reliable source of such information in many countries. The program has influenced local environmental policies, particularly in China, where data transparency led to improved air quality regulations. Experts warn that ending the program endangers American personnel abroad, hinders research, and reduces public access to critical air quality data. While embassy monitors may continue operating, live data sharing has ceased indefinitely. (Friedman et al, 3/4/2025) HOW COOKING WITH GAS RELEASES HARMFUL AIR POLLUTION IN THE HOME – THE GUARDIAN: Cooking with gas releases harmful indoor air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, which is typically associated with diesel exhaust and can reach levels three to twelve times higher indoors than outdoors. Nitrogen dioxide has been found to cause heart and lung harm, complications with birth and pregnancy, and increased risk of kidney and neurological harm. Studies have shown that kitchens using gas stoves have nearly twice the particle pollution of those using electric stoves, contributing to respiratory health issues and premature deaths. The transition away from gas cooking, as recommended by the UK’s Climate Change Committee, is expected to improve indoor air quality and health outcomes. Researchers emphasize that phasing out gas stoves will reduce exposure to nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and other harmful pollutants, particularly benefiting individuals with respiratory conditions. (Fuller, 3/7/2025) HAS THE WORLD PASSED PEAK AIR POLLUTION? – SUSTAINABILITY MAGAZINE : The world may have finally reached its peak in air pollution, marking a significant yet underreported environmental milestone. According to research from Our World in Data , emissions of key pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide are now in decline, thanks to cleaner technologies, stricter regulations, and growing awareness of pollution’s dangers. While wealthier nations have made the most progress, rapid improvements in China show that change is possible on a large scale. However, challenges remain—particularly rising ammonia emissions from agriculture and high pollution levels in industrializing nations. Experts stress that maintaining momentum is crucial, ensuring that economic growth no longer comes at the cost of clean air. The question now is: Can the world accelerate its transition to a cleaner future before climate change and pollution set us back? (Darley, 3/7/2025) GENETIC VULNERABILITY, AIR POLLUTION MAY RAISE RISK OF COVID INFECTION, SEVERE OUTCOMES – CIDRAP: A new study published in PNAS reveals that genetic predisposition and long-term exposure to air pollution—both independently and in combination—may significantly increase the risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 460,000 participants in the UK Biobank, tracking COVID-19 outcomes in relation to genetic vulnerability and air pollution levels. They found that individuals with high genetic risk and prolonged exposure to pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) had nearly double the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes compared to those with lower risk. The findings highlight the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors in respiratory health and suggest that reducing air pollution could play a crucial role in mitigating the severity of infectious diseases. The study also underscores practical measures such as wearing masks and limiting outdoor activities during high pollution periods to reduce risk. (Van Beusekom , 3/4/2025)

3. CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN THE NEWS: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: THE CHEMICAL BURDEN OF PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS – RUTGERS: The average consumer is exposed to more than one hundred chemicals a day through personal care products (PCPs) alone, according to a Rutgers Health study that examined the chemical exposures occurring through the specific products used daily by study participants. The  study  in the  Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology  examined nearly 9,350 specific products used by 593 study participants, and though most people used dozens of potentially dangerous chemicals, high exposure levels weren’t universal: participants who expressed concerns about product safety and sought safer alternatives used products with less hazardous ingredients. (Smith, 3/5/2025) STUDY LINKS ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL EXPOSURES TO FASTER BIOLOGICAL AGING – NEW MEDICAL : A new research paper published in  Aging  ( Aging-US ) on February 11, 2025, Volume 17, Issue 2, titled " Exposome-wide association study of environmental chemical exposures and epigenetic aging in the national health and nutrition examination survey ,” examined how environmental chemical exposure affects aging. Using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 cycles, researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from 2,346 U.S. adults (ages 50–84) for 64 chemicals, including metals, pesticides, and industrial pollutants. They found that cadmium, lead, and cotinine were linked to faster biological aging, increasing the risk of age-related diseases. Cadmium, commonly found in cigarette smoke and food, had the strongest effect. Cotinine, linked to tobacco exposure, and lead, found in old paint and water, also accelerated aging. Some pollutants, like PCB118 and HpCDD , were associated with slower aging, though the health implications remain unclear. As one of the largest studies on pollution and aging, it highlights the impact of everyday toxic exposures on cellular aging and disease risk. (3/6/2025) INDUSTRY- BACKED LEGISLATION WOULD BAR THE USE OF SCIENCE BEHIND HUNDREDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS – PROPUBLICA: For decades, Republican lawmakers and industry lobbyists have tried to chip away at the small program in the Environmental Protection Agency that measures the threat of toxic chemicals. Most people don’t know IRIS , as the program is called, but it is the scientific engine of the agency that protects human health and the environment. Its scientists assess the toxicity of chemicals, estimating the amount of each that triggers cancer and other health effects. And these values serve as the independent, nonpartisan basis for the rules, regulations and permits that limit our exposure to toxic chemicals. Now IRIS faces the gravest threat to its existence since it was created under President Ronald Reagan four decades ago. Legislation introduced in Congress would prohibit the EPA from using any of IRIS’ hundreds of chemical assessments in environmental rules, regulations, enforcement actions and permits that limit the amount of pollution allowed into air and water. The EPA would also be forbidden from using them to map the health risks from toxic chemicals. The bills, filed in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives earlier this year, are championed by companies that make and use chemicals, along with industry groups that have long opposed environmental rules. If it becomes law, the “No IRIS Act,” as it’s called, would essentially bar the agency from carrying out its mission, experts told ProPublica. (Lerner, 3/3/2025)

4. CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE NEWS: CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT UPDATES: GLOBAL SEA ICE DROPS TO LOWEST LEVEL ON RECORD – ABC NEWS: It has been a frigid start to 2025 for much of the United States. However, globally, the planet's long stretch of near-record to record-high temperatures has proved detrimental to global sea ice cover. Global sea ice extent fell to its lowest recorded value in February, according to data analyzed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Last month also ranked as the third-warmest February on record for the planet. Sea ice extent is the area of ocean covered by ice that's at least 15% frozen. Global sea ice extent combines the values of the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. According to the report, the new record occurred because both regions experienced below-average coverage simultaneously, with Arctic sea ice cover dropping to a new record low for February. (Peck, 3/5/2025) WHEN CLIMATE CRISIS STRIKES, WHO GETS LEFT BEHIND? – HUFFINGTON POST : As California struggles to recover from the deadly fires that consumed our City of Angels, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the most vulnerable citizens are  at the most risk   of dying during a climate disaster. The stories that have emerged during this crisis are hard to bear. One mother was reportedly forced to leave  her disabled son to die   because she wasn’t able to evacuate him. And our current political climate is fraught;   conservatives don’t appear to think  that disabled people need to have access to necessary survival strategies. These horrors underscore the inextricable link between climate catastrophe and  disability justice . Many assume the correlation here is accidental even if unfortunate, but in truth, it’s a result of policy failures, inaccessible infrastructure and systemic ableism. Disabled people were also disproportionately affected by  hurricanes Katrina and Rita , and  disabled people in Asheville, North Carolina ,  were unable to get necessary goods after Hurricane Helene. In the cases of both Katrina and the recent fires in California for example, lack of accessible evacuation plans, shelters and emergency services harmed disabled communities inordinately. “The reason that people with disabilities die in disproportionate ways in something like a hurricane is because of the barriers they face in society more generally, but also because governments haven’t done what they should do to ensure that those citizens are protected in that kind of event,” Jodoin explains. (Duncan, 3/6/2025) EXTREME HEAT MAY SPEED UP AGING – NEWS MEDICAL : New research links rising outdoor temperatures to accelerated biological aging, raising urgent concerns about climate change’s impact on health. Due to global warming, the intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme heat events will continue to increase over the next several decades, with the negative health effects of extreme heat particularly evident among older adults. To date, it remains unclear how extreme heat may impact morbidity and mortality. A recent Science Advances study, “ Ambient outdoor heat and accelerated epigenetic aging among older adults in the US , ” determines the role of ambient outdoor heat in epigenetic aging. The study provides new insights into the different biological mechanisms involved in the relationship between ambient heat to age-related morbidity and mortality risks. Overall, these results indicate that epigenetic aging can be significantly accelerated by short-, mid-, and long-term ambient outdoor heat. Taken together, the study findings have implications for developing mitigation strategies against climate change and targeted public health interventions to reduce the adverse biological effects associated with exposure to extreme heat. (Bose, 3/5/2025)

5. IN THE NEWS: ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY IN THE AMERICAS, SURGING DENGUE FEVER LINKED TO CLIMATE CHANGE – IFRC CLIMATE CENTRE: Dengue fever is surging throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, with a more than 300% increase in cases last year compared to the average of the last five years, the Pan American Health Organization said in its  most recent update . Nearly 13 million cases were reported in total, a new record, while PAHO’s Central America and Mexico sub-region saw nearly a 200% increase in 2024 over the five-year average. Dengue has been a major threat to public health in Latin America for decades, with epidemics occurring cyclically every three to five years, and the virus affects millions of people every year,  the IFRC reported late last month , “but never more than now”. Climate impacts including historically severe heatwaves and storms such as Hurricanes Eta and Iota in 2020 that create favorable conditions for mosquitoes to breed in are also “changing the habits of thousands of Central American families living in conditions of risk and vulnerability,” the IFRC adds. (The Climate Centre, 1/2025) EL NIÑO, LA NIÑA, AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE: UNDERSTANDING HOW ENSO CYCLES IMPACT IMMUNITY AND OUTBREAK PATTERNS – MEDICAL XPRESS : Variations in temperature, precipitation, and humidity can influence the spread of infectious diseases, including by altering the habitats of disease transmitters such as mosquitoes. Extreme weather events can disrupt health care responses as well. Previous studies have shown that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), with its alternating warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) phases, alters extreme weather and may also influence the spread of infectious diseases, such as cholera, dengue, malaria, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Rift Valley fever. Though ENSO events can be forecast months in advance, few successful public health interventions, such as vaccine campaigns and vector control efforts, have resulted from these predictions. Geographic variability, differences in timing between ENSO and disease cycles, and population immunity resulting from previous outbreaks are all factors that complicate linking ENSO events directly to disease outbreaks. Published  in  GeoHealth , Chung and collaborators built upon previous locally focused and disease-specific studies to model longer-term interactions between ENSO cycles and various infectious diseases. They used two modeling approaches to investigate how ENSO's influence on disease outbreaks may change from year to year. (Derouin, 7/8/2025) ALLERGY SEASON IS GETTING LONGER. BLAME CLIMATE CHANGE – AXIOS: Most major U.S. cities are suffering from longer allergy seasons amid human-caused climate change, a new analysis finds. WHY IT MATTERS:  Millions of Americans endure runny noses, itchy throats, and worse health effects each spring allergy season. DRIVING THE NEWS:  The freeze-free growing season lengthened between 1970 and 2024 in nearly 90% of the 198 cities  analyzed by Climate Central , a research and communications group. Among those cities, the freeze-free season lengthened by 20 days on average. HOW IT WORKS:  Climate Central uses the freeze-free period — the number of consecutive days with minimum temperatures above 32°F — as a proxy for allergy season. Above-freezing temperatures allow for better plant growth, and thus the release of more sneeze-inducing pollen. ZOOM IN:  Reno, Nevada (96 more consecutive freeze-free days from 1970 to 2024); Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (52) and Toledo, Ohio (45) have had some of the biggest increases among the cities analyzed. Conversely, the number of consecutive freeze-free days decreased in places like Waco, Texas (-14); Tulsa, Oklahoma (-14), and Denver, Colorado (-8). BETWEEN THE LINES:  "Climate change makes pollen seasons not only longer, but also more intense due to heat-trapping pollution," per Climate Central's report. (Fitzpatrick, 3/6/2025)

6. IN THE NEWS: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AMERICANS ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS HARMING THEIR HEALTH – INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS: New survey also shows growing trust in scientists and health professionals as the federal government slashes resources for climate and health research and interventions : In the past decade, Americans have become increasingly aware that climate change is harming the health of people in the U.S., according to a new survey. The  survey , which was conducted in December and released Friday, also shows increased trust in physicians, climate scientists, federal agencies like the CDC and the EPA, local public health departments and the World Health Organization for providing information about the health harms of global warming. These sources of information are under threat: President Donald Trump’s administration has  proposed  cutting most of the EPA’s budget and initiated  mass firings   at the CDC,  taken down   climate and health information from government websites ,  frozen or revoked funding for some climate research and  interventions ,  stalled   environmental justice initiatives and  proposed rescinding   16-year-old federal finding that mandates government action on greenhouse gases. (Gopal, 3/4/2025) Climate Change in the American Mind: Public Perceptions of the Health Harms of Global Warming, Fall 2024 – 28 FEBRUARY 2025 UNCOVERING DEMENTIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS – SCIENCEDAILY: The University of Georgia College of Public Health conducted a systematic review of objective measures of environmental factors and their association with risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The researchers also performed a meta-analysis on environmental exposures and the onset of dementia. They found that living closer to major roads, which is associated with increased air pollution exposure such as particular matter and nitrogen oxides, increased the risk of dementia by about 10%. In contrast, exposure to green and blue spaces had a 6% reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Additionally, communities with better walkability and proximity to community centers, healthcare, and food stores could support cognitive health. The researchers hope this study can assist in community planning and lead to dementia prevention strategies to impact public health. (University of Georgia, 3/7/2025) LAWMAKERS PUSH FOR JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF DANGEROUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE: 'GOING TO IMPACT OUR TOWN FOREVER’ – THE COOL DOWN : PFAS  chemicals break down slowly, are resistant to oil, water, grease, and heat, and are commonly used in various products, from plastic packaging to cookware. Researchers have also linked these chemicals to severe health issues in people. Because industries have used  PFAS  since the 1940s, these chemicals have caused immense soil, air, and water contamination. As a result, more and more people have discovered they have a build-up of these dangerous chemicals in their blood, according to  Seacoastonline . One person who's experienced the effects of PFAS contamination is New Hampshire State Rep. Wendy Thomas. She links her cancer, her children's autoimmune disorders, and the death of several pets from cancer to the levels of PFAS in their blood. As a result of her experience with PFAS, Thomas is one of a group of lawmakers pushing new  legislation  to help victims of these forever chemicals get justice. (Layne, 3/6/2025)

7. IN THE NEWS: FOOD SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS TEA LEAVES CAN STEEP AWAY LEAD, STUDY FINDS – THE NEW YORK TIMES: A Northwestern Department of Materials Science and Engineering study shows that tea leaves can pull heavy metals from water and significantly reduce the amount of lead available for drinking. The researchers found that the type of tea and bag material were relevant factors. Black tea and green tea, whose leaves wrinkle after roasting, removed more lead than white tea and chamomile, which have much smoother leaves. And cellulose tea bags performed better than nylon and cotton bags. Overall, the researchers’ model shows that 2 grams of tea leaves in a cup of water contaminated with <10 ppm of lead and steeped for 5 minutes can remove 15% of lead ions. Adsorption of lead also remains consistent across pH values of 4 to 10 as well as with tap water compared to deionized water. Steeping for longer periods of time may increase lead removal from the water until the tea leaves are saturated; however, the tea may become too bitter to enjoy after 10 minutes of steeping. ( Nazaryan , 2/28/25) WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT MICROPLASTICS IN YOUR FOOD – CONSUMER REPORT : Few synthetic substances are as ubiquitous across the globe as microplastics. From the peak of  Mt. Everest   to the depths of the  Mariana Trench   and everywhere in between, tiny bits of plastic are accumulating. Your dinner plate—and your stomach — have not been spared . Recent studies have found microplastics in  all meat   and  produce products   tested, and levels in the food supply will only continue increasing as policymakers  fail  to rein in plastic production. The cold truth is that there’s  no avoiding   microplastics in your diet. But there are some  simple steps   you can take to  significantly reduce   your exposure to these gnarly particles. (Perkins, 3/3/2025)   2 FOOD ITEMS YOU SHOULD SKIP DURING THE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK AND 4 THAT ARE SAFE TO EAT, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS - BUSINESS INSIDER: The current outbreak of bird flu has contributed to an egg shortage, driving up egg prices. Most consumer products are safe from contamination due to their production processes. Raw milk poses the biggest consumer threat. Chicken isn't a concern as long as it's cooked. However, be careful with raw chicken products, such as those you've purchased for a pet. As  bird flu   continues to impact egg availability and push up prices, you might be wondering which other everyday products could be affected by the recent outbreaks. The H5N1 virus, which has affected 166 million birds since 2022 and infected 70 humans, has been detected in poultry, dairy cattle, and mammals like seals and cats. Experts told Business Insider that most consumer products won't present dangers due to the close inspection required for mass production for consumers, and guidance for farmers — such as culling flocks of birds when an infection is identified — aims to prevent contaminated products from entering the market. Another factor contributing to safety in the food supply is the processing of dairy products, like milk and cheese, as pasteurization effectively kills viruses and other harmful bacteria. (Villarroel, 3/7/2025)

8. IN THE NEWS: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COLORADO BILL SEEKS TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY: The Colorado House of Representatives has introduced a bill that would require employers to implement programs and interventions to protect both indoor and outdoor workers from extreme heat and cold. Under the proposed bill employers would be responsible for monitoring temperature and humidity, provide potable drinking water, breaks, and appropriate rest areas (heated or cooled based on temperature), allow adjustment periods for workers to acclimatize to the temperature, provide protective gear, and have emergency response plans for heat or cold injuries. If the bill passes, it will take effect on April 1, 2026. Those in favor of the bill include worker advocacy groups, labor unions, and occupational safety organizations. Those who oppose the bill have concerns about the financial burdens to comply with the provisions and potential impact on productivity. (DeMarco, 3/5/2025) NATIONAL LADDER SAFETY MONTH – AMERICAN LADDER INSTITUTE : National Ladder Safety Month is a yearly initiative celebrated in March to increase awareness and safety about and around ladders. The American Ladder Institute provides flyers , videos , and articles on its website that includes education for choosing the right ladder, safety while on a ladder, and ladder inspection and maintenance. Additionally, FREE training and webinar series recordings are available. (American Ladder Institute, 3/2025) BATTLING BURNOUT: STRATEGIES FOR WORKPLACE WELL-BEING - CANADIAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY: During the 2025 Women in Safety Summit in Calgary, Lisa Belanger, a behavioral change expert, gave a keynot e address regarding burnout stating, “it’s the environment that needs to change, not the individual.” According to her, the 6 key factors contributing to burnout are workload, control over tasks, reward systems, community and support, fairness, and personal values alignment. To recognize burnout, you can look for 3 things: exhaustion without cause, inefficiency, and cynicism. And she recommends breaking the stress cycle by connecting with yourself, nature, or others. However, an effective strategy for these breaks and recovery time for one person may not work well for someone else. Safety professionals and leaders can help support employees by encouraging micro-breaks, empowering workers to have more control over their tasks, encouraging team-building, and promoting wellness initiatives. (Mercer, 3/5/2025) US Army Work/Rest Cycle

9. IN THE NEWS: TOXICOLOGY FDA OUTLAWED A SODA INGREDIENT BANNED AROUND THE WORLD. HERE'S WHY – SCIENCE ALERT : An ingredient once commonly used in citrus-flavored sodas to keep the tangy taste mixed thoroughly through the beverage was finally banned for good across the US last year. In 7/ 2024, the FDA  revoked  the registration of a modified vegetable oil known as BVO in the wake of  recent toxicology studies . "The proposed action is an example of how the agency monitors emerging evidence and as needed, conducts scientific research to investigate safety related questions, and takes regulatory action when the science does not support the continued safe use of additives in foods," James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods,  explained when announcing the proposal   in 2023. (McRae,3/5/2025) FDA BANS RED 3 DYE – AN INFLAMMATION RESEARCHER EXPLAINS ITS TOXIC EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN AND BEYOND – BEING PATIENT : Red Dye No. 3 , also known as FD&C Red No. 3, has been widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals since its approval by the FDA in 1969 . However, toxicology studies began to reveal toxic effects to the body, prompting California to ban its use in food in 2023 and the FDA to ban its use in the nation’s food supply on 1/15/2025. In the past few decades, an increasing amount of scientific evidence has linked Red Dye No. 3 to negative health effects. Studies on rats have shown that it can damage tissues in the brain, preventing neurons from communicating with another and worsening neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease. Studies have also shown that it inhibits important functions of the thyroid , leading to thyroid related disorders and thyroid cancer. Manufacturers have until January 2027 to phase out the use of Red Dye No. 3 in their products. ( Hofseth , 3/3/2025) https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2025/fda-red-dye-ban.html SYNTHETIC MICROBIOME THERAPY SUPPRESSES BACTERIAL INFECTION WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS – SCIENCE NEWS : A synthetic microbiome therapy, tested in mice, protects against severe symptoms of a gut infection that is notoriously difficult-to-treat and potentially life threatening in humans, according to a team of researchers at Penn State. The team developed the treatment for Clostridioides difficile, or C. difficile, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain and colon inflammation. C. difficile can overgrow when the balance of the gut microbiome -- the trillions of organisms that keep your body healthy -- is disrupted. The team said their findings could lead to the development of new probiotic strategies for humans to treat C. difficile infections as an alternative to antibiotics and conventional fecal microbiota transplants. While it draws on the idea of human fecal transplants, a medical procedure where bacteria from a healthy donor's stool is transferred to a patient's gastrointestinal tract to restore balance to the microbiome, the new approach doesn't require any fecal matter. Instead, this microbiome therapy uses fewer but more precise bacteria strains that have been linked to C. difficile suppression. It was as effective as human fecal transplants in mice against C. difficile infection and with fewer safety concerns. (PENN State, 3/3/2025)

10. IN THE NEWS: WATER, HYGIENE, AND SANITATION WATER PROGRAMS FAILING THE TEST OF TIME – MEDICAL XPRESS : Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs are failing to deliver sustainable outcomes and a culture shift towards longer-term accountability to users is needed, according to an international study. Dr. Dani Barrington, from The University of Western Australia's School of Population and Global Health, was lead author of the study published in BMJ Global Health . "About 1.4 million people die each year from infections caused by not having access to safe WASH," Dr. Barrington said. "There are also mental health impacts of poor WASH, particularly around water insecurity and period poverty.“ Researchers interviewed 108 field-based WASH professionals from Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Individuals represented local private, public, non-governmental, and academic stakeholders in WASH. The study found politics and bureaucracy slowed or stopped programming from moving forward and populism resulted in only programming that "looks good" politically being implemented. (Gartner, 3/5/2025) EL PASO IS GOING TO TURN WASTEWATER INTO DRINKING WATER. OTHER CITIES WILL SOON FOLLOW – INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS : El Paso, TX has experienced the two hottest years in its history in 2023 and 2024, getting less than nine inches of annual rainfall. On February 27, the city’s water utility created history again with its latest project. El Paso’s Pure Water Center is a water purification facility intended to deliver 10 million gallons of purified water from the city’s wastewater stream directly into its drinking water supply. Planned to start by 2028, this will be the first direct-to-distribution reuse facility in the country. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is requiring an online monitoring system for safety and is working to educate residents and businesses on the dangers of putting chemicals and pharmaceuticals down the drain. Trejo, vice president of operations at the utility, has assured environmental advocates that their multiple barrier approach to treatment is designed to remove pharmaceuticals, emerging contaminants like PFAS, viruses and pathogens, and future contaminants. ( Pskowski , 3/3/2025) A rendering of the Pure Water Center, which broke ground on Feb. 27 and is expected to be operational by 2028. Credit: Courtesy of El Paso Water US SUPREME COURT WEAKENS RULES ON DISCHARGE OF RAW SEWAGE INTO WATER SUPPLIES – THE GUARDIAN: The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the principal law governing pollution control and water quality in the United States. On March 4, the court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot employ generic, water body-focused pollution discharge limits to the CWA permit holders and must provide specific limitations to pollution permittees. San Francisco initially challenged nonspecific wastewater permits issued by the EPA to protect the quality of nearby surface water sources, arguing that the EPA lacks statutory authority to impose them. After taking the case to the supreme court, the 5-4 ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito, the court blocked the EPA from issuing permits that make a permittee responsible for surface water quality, or “end result” permits – a new term coined by the court. (Lakhani, 3/4/2025)

11. CONTACTS AND CONTRIBUTORS The Yale Environmental Health Science Report aims to: Inform a broad audience about the latest advancements in environmental health science. Curate and synthesize diverse sources—including news articles, reports, and graphics—into an engaging and easily accessible online platform. Additionally, the report empowers students to:- Engage in service-learning opportunities. - Develop situational awareness of current environmental health issues. Enhance their learning through active participation and contributions. Provide valuable feedback and fresh perspectives to improve the report’s quality. The YESH report features articles curated and summarized by graduate students from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health for educational purposes. AI-assisted tools are used in the editing process. This report is intended for educational use only and may not be reproduced, distributed, for commercial purposes. LTC (R) Joanne McGovern – [email protected] Lecturer, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health Thritha Anand Caitlin McGowan Alexandra Nechaev Yale MPH Student Contributors: