Latest news with #PublicAwareness
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Chemical pollution a threat comparable to climate change, scientists warn
Chemical pollution is 'a threat to the thriving of humans and nature of a similar order as climate change' but decades behind global heating in terms of public awareness and action, a report has warned. The industrial economy has created more than 100 million 'novel entities', or chemicals not found in nature, with somewhere between 40,000 and 350,000 in commercial use and production, the report says. But the environmental and human health effects of this widespread contamination of the biosphere are not widely appreciated, in spite of a growing body of evidence linking chemical toxicity with effects ranging from ADHD to infertility to cancer. 'I suppose that's the biggest surprise for some people,' Harry Macpherson, senior climate associate at Deep Science Ventures (DSV), which carried out the research, told the Guardian. 'Maybe people think that when you walk down the street breathing the air; you drink your water, you eat your food; you use your personal care products, your shampoo, cleaning products for your house, the furniture in your house; a lot of people assume that there's really great knowledge and huge due diligence on the chemical safety of these things. But it really isn't the case.' Over eight months, as part of a project funded by the Grantham Foundation, Macpherson and colleagues spoke to dozens of researchers, non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, and analysed hundreds of scientific papers. According to the DSV report, more than 3,600 synthetic chemicals from food contact materials – the materials that are used in food preparation and packaging – alone are found in human bodies, 80 of which are of significant concern. Pfas 'forever chemicals', for example, have been found in nearly all humans tested, and are now so ubiquitous that in many locations even rainwater contains levels regarded as unsafe to drink. Meanwhile, more than 90% of the global population breathes air that breaches World Health Organization (WHO) pollution guidelines. When these chemicals contaminate our bodies, the results can be disastrous. The report found there were correlational or causal data linking widely used chemicals with threats to human reproductive, immune, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, liver, kidney and metabolic systems. 'One of the main things that came out quite strongly was links between pesticide exposure and reproductive issues,' said Macpherson. 'We saw quite strong links – correlation and causation – for miscarriage and people basically struggling to conceive.' The DSV research adds to previous findings by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research that we have already far exceeded the safe planetary boundary for environmental pollutants, including plastics. On Sunday, another report warned that the world faces a 'plastics crisis', which is causing disease and death from infancy to old age amid a huge acceleration of plastic production. The report also highlights critical shortcomings in current toxicity assessment, research and testing methods, exposing the ways in which existing checks and balances are failing to protect human and planetary health. 'The way that we've generally done the testing has meant that we've missed a lot of effects,' Macpherson said. He singled out the assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are substances that interfere with hormones, causing problems ranging from infertility to cancer. These have been found to confound the traditional assumption that lower doses will invariably have lesser effects. 'One of the things is that when you have a chemical which is interfering with the endocrine system, it sometimes has a nonlinear response. So you'll see that there'll be a response at a very low dose, which you wouldn't be able to predict from its behaviour at a high dose.' DSV describes itself as a 'venture creator' that spins out companies aimed at tackling big problems in environmental and human health issues. Part of the purpose of the report is to identify problem areas that can be tackled by innovation. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Currently, chemical toxicity as an environmental issue receives just a fraction of the funding that is devoted to climate change, a disproportionality that Macpherson says should change. 'We obviously don't want less funding going into the climate and the atmosphere,' he said. 'But this we think – really, proportionally – needs more attention.' However, there were features of the problem that mean it lends itself more easily to solutions. 'The good thing is that this can be potentially quite easily consumer-driven if people start to worry about things they're personally buying,' Macpherson said. 'There isn't necessarily the need for a massive collective action; it can just be demand for safer products, because people want safer products.' For his part, since starting the research, Macpherson is careful about what touches his food. He cooks with a cast-iron skillet. He especially avoids heating food in plastic. 'Unfortunately, it is a recommendation to eat more organic food, but it is more expensive in general. So at least washing fruit and vegetables before eating them, but organic if you can afford it.'
Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
Cecilia Tortajada
Hosepipe bans are here again. The UK must prepare for the coming era of drought
Khaleej Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE confirms no significant impact after US strikes Iran nuclear sites
UAE's nuclear authority on Sunday said US' attack on Iran's nuclear sites had no significant impact on the country. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has stated that the relevant national authorities are closely monitoring developments related to nuclear facilities in Iran. It affirmed that it is constantly aware of and following up on developments, in coordination with international partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and is receiving periodic updates from official channels. It also called on the public to obtain information from official sources and avoid circulating rumors and unconfirmed news.
CNET
13-05-2025
- CNET
Why You Should Report Fraud to the FTC and FBI
When we write about fraud or identity theft at CNET, we regularly advise victims to contact the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center to share their experience. However, suppose you didn't lose money or give up any personal identifiable information, like your Social Security number. In that case, you might not think it's necessary to take this step -- but you should. Only 38% of fraud reports received by the FTC in 2024 involved monetary losses. Fraud reports help the FTC and FBI inform and educate the public about popular scams and aid local and federal authorities in catching criminals. If you do fall victim to a scam, there are other steps you can take, including signing up for identity theft protection, freezing your credit reports or reaching out to your bank or credit card company to recover stolen funds. But don't forget to let the FTC and FBI know. Here's why. Why should you report fraud? When you report fraud, you're being a good samaritan -- and you may help reduce the chances of a specific scam hurting someone else. Both the FTC and the FBI's IC3 division study trends and update the public about popular swindles orchestrated by cybercriminals using information provided by everyday Americans. Some popular scams the agencies have warned about in recent months include toll road scams, fake USPS texts and criminals impersonating government agencies. "The more information the FTC and IC3 receive, the better statistics they can get and use to alert consumers," said Chelsea Binns, a certified fraud examiner and associate professor at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The FTC and IC3 also release annual reports detailing trends from the previous year using submitted complaints. Data is broken down by age, state, the frequency of specific crimes and dollars lost to each fraud type. Both agencies allow consumers to receive email alerts about popular scams year-round. To sign up for FTC alerts, click here. You can sign up for IC3 alerts here. The FTC and IC3 also work with law enforcement to help catch cybercriminals. When you file a report with the FTC, it's added to its Consumer Sentinel database, which 2,800 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners across the country can access. Trained IC3 analysts similarly review and research complaints and pass along information to authorities. "This is how they can potentially build cases against fraudsters," Binns said. How do I report fraud to the FTC and FBI? You can report fraud-related scams to the FTC at Cyber-related crimes should also be reported to IC3 at Combined, these agencies received over 3.4 million complaints last year. Keep in mind that it's unlikely that you'll hear from the FTC or IC3 after you file a report -- despite your complaint being used to corroborate information or inform trends. If someone posing as a government official reaches out to you and demands money, offers you a prize or threatens to arrest you, it's a scam. If you're a victim of identity theft, a specific category of fraud, you can report your case to the FTC at or by calling 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will lay out steps to recover your identity based on the information you provide. Each of these steps, such as calling bill collectors and contacting bank fraud departments, can be time-consuming and may cost you money, especially if you have a lawyer handle it for you. If you have an identity theft protection service with white glove restoration services, this checklist can be completed for you. Can I get my money back after falling for a scam? Typically, unauthorized debit and credit card purchases are easier to reverse. If you send money to scammers yourself (like in a gold bar scam), getting your money back is more difficult. You should contact your bank as soon as possible so they can hopefully cancel a transaction. In cases where cryptocurrency is involved, payments are pretty much irreversible. Depending on the type of fraud you endured, you'll want to take basic steps like changing your password, enrolling in two-factor authentication and turning on alerts for purchases made on your credit and debit cards. You should also consider deleting saved payment info from websites, Binns said. In the weeks and months after falling victim to fraud, it's essential to be on guard against any stranger who contacts you promising to get your money back. "What will happen is the original fraudster will come to you posing as an organization or service that is going to help you recover the funds you've lost," she said. "And, in turn, it'll just be another scam."
