Silent Spring Institute

12/12/2025

Important to remind people not only of the enormous public health toll but also of the economic toll of PFAS exposures.

"If the findings were extrapolated across the country, Americans might be bearing up to $7.8 billion in annual health and wage costs from exposure to these chemicals."

Check out our PFAS Exchange to find out if there's a contamination site near you and for guidance on reducing exposures. If you've had your blood or drinking water tested, use the Exposure tool to help interpret your results. Visit: https://pfas-exchange.org/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/12/09/pfas-forever-chemicals-infant-deaths/

Mothers in New Hampshire who were downstream of sites contaminated with “forever chemicals” experienced triple the rate of infant deaths, according to a new study.

12/12/2025

What does the public need to know about endocrine disrupting chemicals to protect their health and advocate for stronger laws?

In a new study by Silent Spring, researchers pinpointed key knowledge gaps and misconceptions that limit people’s ability to reduce their exposures and support solutions for safer products.

The findings provide a roadmap for shaping clearer, more effective public health messaging to combat misinformation and help people make informed decisions about their health.

The study was conducted by Silent Spring research scientist Katie Boronow and senior scientist Dr. Julia Brody.

Learn more: https://silentspring.org/news/what-do-people-know-about-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals

12/10/2025

Our new study featured in Fast Company, with good advice from Silent Spring's Robin Dodson:

"That doesn’t mean you need to immediately go out and buy a new couch—especially if your budget is tight. (There’s currently no safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of old flame-retardant-filled furniture.) Instead, our number one tip is to keep dust levels low inside of your house, vacuum with a HEPA filter. And when buying new furniture, choose items without flame retardants."

The study was led by the Department of Public Health and included scientists from the CalEPA, University of California, Davis, Silent Spring Institute, Green Science Policy Institute, Environmental Working Group, and Sequoia Foundation.

More info: https://silentspring.org/news/toxic-flame-retardants-peoples-bodies-drop-after-replacing-old-furniture-healthier-options

https://www.fastcompany.com/91456433/getting-rid-of-old-furniture-can-immediately-start-making-you-healthier-heres-why

Old sofas are filled with flame retardants, which have been linked to cancer risk and neurodevelopmental issues. A new study looks at what happens in your body when you get new furniture.

12/09/2025

Our newly updated PFAS Exchange is now live! With a fresh design and expanded information, this free online resource center helps people understand their PFAS exposure and take steps to protect themselves and their communities. In addition to fact sheets on a range of topics, the site features a tool for interpreting drinking water and blood test results, an interactive contamination map, medical guidance for healthcare providers, and more.

Learn more: https://silentspring.org/news/new-online-tool-empowers-communities-reduce-their-pfas-exposure

Go straight to the PFAS Exchange: https://pfas-exchange.org/

12/05/2025

"The study was the quintessential example of how companies like Monsanto could fundamentally undermine the peer-review process through ghostwriting, cherry-picking unpublished studies, and biased interpretations. Faced with undisputed evidence concerning how this study was manufactured and then used, for over two decades, to protect glyphosate sales, the Editor-in-Chief … did the right thing.”

The journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology has formally retracted a sweeping scientific paper published in the year 2000 that became a key defense for Monsanto’s claim that Roundup herbicide and its active ingredient glyphosate don’t cause cancer.

12/03/2025

Environmental exposures -- including endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics, cosmetics, and cleaning products -- among the list of factors that are likely driving rising rates of early-onset breast cancer.

“We have been studying a number of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and have identified over 900 chemicals in commonly used products that are relevant to breast cancer causation.” -- Dr. Mary Beth Terry, Executive Director, Silent Spring Institute.

Learn more about the latest science on environmental risk factors for breast cancer: https://silentspring.org/resources/breast-cancer-and-environment

https://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/study-finds-surprising-incidence-of-breast-cancer-in-younger-women/

Researchers found that nearly 1 in 4 cancers detected at a community breast imaging center were in women under 50. Learn how to protect yourself.

12/02/2025

🚨Breast cancer rates are rising fast in women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—and the science that could explain why is being defunded.

This Giving Tuesday, your gift will be DOUBLED, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000! When you give today, your doubled donation will help us uncover the environmental factors that are fueling rising breast cancer rates in young women. 📈

Your gift will power our efforts to:

🧪 Learn how exposures to hazardous chemicals during critical stages of development increase susceptibility to breast cancer.
🧴Identify which everyday products contain chemicals that alter hormones in risky ways.
🤝Put evidence in the hands of decision-makers to protect the next generation.

Help us safeguard women’s health. Let’s turn the tide—together! 🌊🌿

📢Donate at: silentspring.org/give

11/24/2025

Given everything we know about this class of chemicals and their health risks, introducing more new PFAS into the environment -- especially ones that are highly mobile and hard to filter -- is not the direction we should be going in.

Critics warn the EPA’s approvals of new PFAS pesticides could expose more Americans to “forever chemicals” through their food.

11/18/2025

🎁 Give a gift that makes a difference!

Silent Spring is honored to be one of 20 nonprofits featured at this year’s Alternative Gift Market in Falmouth, on Cape Cod! 🌿

Since 2007, the Market—founded by a group of Cape Cod congregations—has helped raise funds for local, national, and international organizations working to improve people's lives and the health of our planet.

This holiday season, you can “shop” for your friends and family by making a donation to Silent Spring in their honor through the Market’s online gift form. The online Market is open until November 20!!

Visit: https://alternativegiftmarketcapecod.org/shop-online-market

You can also donate directly to Silent Spring by visiting: https://silentspring.org/support-our-work. Be sure to include your honoree’s information so we can send them a special note of appreciation on your behalf.

Thank you for giving the gift of breast cancer prevention this holiday season!

11/08/2025

A heartfelt thank you to James Beard Award winner and celebrity chef Chef Karen Akunowicz for supporting our Gala’s Live Auction by donating an exclusive dining experience at her acclaimed restaurant Bar Volpe.

Your support helps advance Silent Spring’s research for a healthier world for everyone!

11/06/2025

A huge thank you to Mamaleh's Delicatessen for their generous support of our Gala Celebration! They donated a delicious catered brunch for our Live Auction, raising vital funds for life-saving research.

We’re so grateful to our local partners who bring community, care, and incredible food to the table!

11/03/2025

Thank you S*x Discussed Here (I Love Female Orgasm®) for supporting Silent Spring Institute’s mission to uncover the links between the environment and women’s health. They are donating 25% of their t-shirt sales proceeds to Silent Spring to fund our research on cancer-causing chemicals and breast cancer prevention. Together, we’re advancing science and shaping a healthier tomorrow.

Order your t-shirt today by visiting: sexualityeducation.com