Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
@rshaffer14.bsky.social
Environmental Health | Risk Assessment | Environmental #Epidemiology | #Toxicology. Yale & UWDEOHS alum. Tweets my own.
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
More Americans are breathing unhealthy air than any time in the past decade, and climate change is making the problem worse.
Nearly Half of Americans Are Breathing Unhealthy Air as Pollution Exposure Numbers Reach Decade High - Inside Climate News
A new report from the American Lung Association notes a drastic decline in air quality and raises health alarms. Climate change and Trump administration actions, experts warn, will worsen the trend.
insideclimatenews.org
April 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
More Americans are breathing unhealthy air than any time in the past decade, and climate change is making the problem worse.
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
All Work is Sacred, but it Shouldn’t Come with a Death Sentence.
All Work is Sacred, but it Shouldn’t Come with a Death Sentence.
You're Gonna Miss NIOSH When It's Gone
open.substack.com
April 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
All Work is Sacred, but it Shouldn’t Come with a Death Sentence.
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
How Estrogen Keeps Lead—and Heart Attacks—in Check
How Estrogen Keeps Lead—and Heart Attacks—in Check
For over a century, coronary heart disease has ruled the global charts as the leading cause of death.
open.substack.com
April 2, 2025 at 10:45 PM
How Estrogen Keeps Lead—and Heart Attacks—in Check
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
“Study after study has shown that higher levels of air pollution are correlated with increased risks of dementia, as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety and psychosis.”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Air pollution and brain damage: what the science says
Epidemiological studies have linked dirty air to dementia and other brain disorders. Now researchers are trying to determine how pollutants do their damage, and how much harm they cause.
www.nature.com
January 15, 2025 at 11:10 AM
“Study after study has shown that higher levels of air pollution are correlated with increased risks of dementia, as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety and psychosis.”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
Which populations are most vulnerable to the health impacts of #wildfiresmoke? Prof Joel Kaufman spoke with @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
What wildfire smoke means for your health
As wildfires rage in the Los Angeles area, air quality is deteriorating and health risks from air pollution mount. Here’s what to know about staying safe.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Which populations are most vulnerable to the health impacts of #wildfiresmoke? Prof Joel Kaufman spoke with @washingtonpost.com:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Preparing slides for a guest lecture that will include this great overview video on public comments from the Public Comment Project: youtu.be/Zx9tcHHR8eM?...
The Public Comment Project
YouTube video by Public Comment Project
youtu.be
December 20, 2024 at 3:44 PM
Preparing slides for a guest lecture that will include this great overview video on public comments from the Public Comment Project: youtu.be/Zx9tcHHR8eM?...
Nice remembrance on the pioneer Theo Colburn from @ehnewsroom.bsky.social - www.ehn.org/remembering-...
Ten years after her passing, Theo Colburn's legacy continues to grow
Scientists reflect on her pioneering work.
www.ehn.org
December 13, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Nice remembrance on the pioneer Theo Colburn from @ehnewsroom.bsky.social - www.ehn.org/remembering-...
This week, EPA released updates to TracMyAir, a research tool for predicting individual PM2.5 & ozone exposures based on indoor & outdoor concentrations www.epa.gov/air-research...
TracMyAir Web Application for Researchers | US EPA
The TracMyAir is a web application that predicts near real-time individual air pollution exposure and dose. The primary users for the web app are scientists conducting epidemiologic and field studies ...
www.epa.gov
December 12, 2024 at 1:46 PM
This week, EPA released updates to TracMyAir, a research tool for predicting individual PM2.5 & ozone exposures based on indoor & outdoor concentrations www.epa.gov/air-research...
EPA is looking for nominations of scientific and technical experts to serve as reviewers for upcoming #phthalates risk evaluations under #TSCA: www.epa.gov/chemicals-un...
EPA Calls for Nominations of Peer Reviewers for Phthalates BBP, DBP, DEHP, DIBP, and DCHP | US EPA
EPA is calling for nominations of ad hoc peer reviewers to assist the Agency's Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals with its review of the Agency's high-priority phthalates BBP, DBP, DEHP, DIBP, an...
www.epa.gov
December 10, 2024 at 11:18 PM
EPA is looking for nominations of scientific and technical experts to serve as reviewers for upcoming #phthalates risk evaluations under #TSCA: www.epa.gov/chemicals-un...
Last week, EPA released updates to its OncoLogic modeling tool, which can be used to predict the likelihood that a chemical might cause cancer: www.epa.gov/tsca-screeni...
OncoLogic™ - An Expert System to Evaluate the Carcinogenic Potential of Chemicals | US EPA
OncoLogic used mechanism based approaches to evaluate cancer potential of untested chemicals based on their structural similarity to chemicals for which studies have been conducted.
www.epa.gov
December 10, 2024 at 12:32 AM
Last week, EPA released updates to its OncoLogic modeling tool, which can be used to predict the likelihood that a chemical might cause cancer: www.epa.gov/tsca-screeni...
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
BANNED: Two of the more notorious and toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
TCE: used in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants and glue
(the chemical in John Travolta’s “A Civil Action”)
PCE: dry cleaners, auto paint, degreasers
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/c...
TCE: used in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants and glue
(the chemical in John Travolta’s “A Civil Action”)
PCE: dry cleaners, auto paint, degreasers
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/c...
E.P.A. Bans Perc and T.C.E., Two Chemicals Used In Dry Cleaning
The two solvents, known as Perc and TCE, cause kidney cancer and other ailments, and have been the subject of years of controversy.
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2024 at 11:21 AM
BANNED: Two of the more notorious and toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
TCE: used in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants and glue
(the chemical in John Travolta’s “A Civil Action”)
PCE: dry cleaners, auto paint, degreasers
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/c...
TCE: used in cleaners, spot removers, lubricants and glue
(the chemical in John Travolta’s “A Civil Action”)
PCE: dry cleaners, auto paint, degreasers
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/c...
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
According to @cleanairfund.bsky.social, Africa receives very limited 💰 for work on air pollution.
So, what does the funding landscape for #AirQuality projects in Africa look like?
Join us for a discussion!
🗓️: Wednesday, Dec 11
⏲️: 4-6 PM East Africa Time
Register🔗 bit.ly/3ZinUdF
So, what does the funding landscape for #AirQuality projects in Africa look like?
Join us for a discussion!
🗓️: Wednesday, Dec 11
⏲️: 4-6 PM East Africa Time
Register🔗 bit.ly/3ZinUdF
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Sustainable funding for air quality initiatives. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Sustainable funding for air quality initiatives. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
bit.ly
December 7, 2024 at 2:49 PM
According to @cleanairfund.bsky.social, Africa receives very limited 💰 for work on air pollution.
So, what does the funding landscape for #AirQuality projects in Africa look like?
Join us for a discussion!
🗓️: Wednesday, Dec 11
⏲️: 4-6 PM East Africa Time
Register🔗 bit.ly/3ZinUdF
So, what does the funding landscape for #AirQuality projects in Africa look like?
Join us for a discussion!
🗓️: Wednesday, Dec 11
⏲️: 4-6 PM East Africa Time
Register🔗 bit.ly/3ZinUdF
Appreciate the attempt for a more “nuanced” discussion, but this piece completely misses the recent NTP monograph on fluoride (published in Aug 2024) & the recent court ruling in CA (Sept 2024).
There have been a lot of interesting takes on fluoride recently. But all seem to be missing a component—whether it’s equity or risk vs. hazard in Europe or attention to dose. So, I put together, in one place, nuance to (hopefully) better guide evidence-based discussions.
The fluoride debate
The nuance you may be looking for
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
December 7, 2024 at 2:47 PM
Appreciate the attempt for a more “nuanced” discussion, but this piece completely misses the recent NTP monograph on fluoride (published in Aug 2024) & the recent court ruling in CA (Sept 2024).
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
28% of microplastics entering the environment annually are from tyres. Chemical additives like zinc oxide & 6PPD linked to fish die-offs and ecosystem disruption. Need for a global, targeted strategy theconversation.com/car-tyres-sh...
Car tyres shed a quarter of all microplastics in the environment – urgent action is needed
Tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our food.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2024 at 8:58 AM
28% of microplastics entering the environment annually are from tyres. Chemical additives like zinc oxide & 6PPD linked to fish die-offs and ecosystem disruption. Need for a global, targeted strategy theconversation.com/car-tyres-sh...
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
Use less plastic. Important research from the team at Silent Spring Institute. #plastics #breastcancer
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than 400 chemicals in plastic products linked to breast cancer – study
Exposure to these toxic compounds, found in everyday items, could be elevating cancer risk in young women
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Use less plastic. Important research from the team at Silent Spring Institute. #plastics #breastcancer
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
EPA has finalized part 2 of the #TSCA risk evaluation for asbestos: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
EPA Finds Asbestos Rule Needed to Protect Workers, Consumers (1)
Discontinued uses of asbestos and the disposal of products once made with the cancer-causing mineral have so much potential to harm the health of exposed people that the EPA must develop a rule to red...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 28, 2024 at 3:39 AM
EPA has finalized part 2 of the #TSCA risk evaluation for asbestos: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Reposted by Rachel Shaffer, PhD MPH
Hirokol Tabuchi (NYT) landed 🔥 docs from the Nat'l Assoc. for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) re: industry strategy to counter "the tide of anti-plastic sentiment." Read here: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/c... Meanwhile: huge industry turnout at #INC5 #plasticstreaty www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Inside the Plastic Industry’s Battle to Win Over Hearts and Minds
Documents leaked from an industry group show how plastics companies are pushing back against a “tide of anti-plastic sentiment.”
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Hirokol Tabuchi (NYT) landed 🔥 docs from the Nat'l Assoc. for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) re: industry strategy to counter "the tide of anti-plastic sentiment." Read here: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/c... Meanwhile: huge industry turnout at #INC5 #plasticstreaty www.france24.com/en/live-news...