Mystery chemical in drinking water finally identified, but is it safe?
For more than 40 years scientists have known about a mysterious chemical in many Americans’ drinking water, but now they’ve finally found out what it is. The authors of a new study say they believe the chemical is a byproduct of chloramine, which some water plants use to treat water and make it safe to drink.
The study says about a third of Americans, or 113 million people, drink tap water that exposes them to this newly identified chemical. While scientists don’t yet know if it is dangerous, some are worried it could be toxic because of its similarities to other chemicals of concern.
In the early 20th century, many public water systems started using low levels of chlorine to make drinking water safe. Chlorine is safe to consume in low levels, but it was later discovered when it came into contact with other elements that naturally occur in water, it created toxic byproducts.
Those byproducts could be linked to higher risks certain cancers, miscarriages in pregnant women and low birth weights, so some systems switched to chloramine.
It could be years before it’s confirmed whether chloramine’s byproducts are safe or not. Some research shows that active carbon filters used in home water purification devices or refrigerators can remove these byproducts. Whether or not this is enough prevention remains to be seen.
How cannabis could increase your risk of cancer and accelerated aging: Study
Researchers are hoping to reframe the discussion on marijuana use with new findings showing serious health risks linked to pot consumption. A study published on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from the University of Western Australia, found cannabis exposure was associated with higher rates of cancers, particularly breast, pancreatic, liver, thyroid and testicular cancers.
Other troubling discoveries in the research connected cannabis use to birth defects, including missing limbs, heart defects and other disorders. Researchers say this seems to indicate cannabis users are passing on DNA mutations to their children or fetuses still in the womb.
The researchers believe the health risks are due to the plant’s chemical makeup. Cannabis contains compounds like THC and CBD and both compounds have been shown to damage human cells, accelerating aging in people who use pot.
Previous studies have found a 30% acceleration in cellular aging in people as young as 30 years of age and clusters of major birth defects in areas with high cannabis operations.
The authors are calling for more research on the health problems linked to marijuana use, especially given the recent rise in the potency of marijuana products and as legalization become more widespread globally.
The researchers argue lawmakers and the general public can no longer ignore the health dangers of cannabis exposures and urge people to go beyond the discussion of “personal liberties,” and focus on protecting their health.
Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with cancer, reports say
Disgraced movie mogul and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with cancer, according to multiple sources. Reports say he has chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of bone marrow cancer, and he’s undergoing treatment at Rikers Island prison in New York where he’s serving a 16-year sentence.
“Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein’s authorized legal healthcare representative in New York State, expresses profound dismay at the speculation surrounding Mr. Weinstein’s medical condition,” Weinstein’s spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said in a statement provided to Variety. “It is both troubling and unacceptable that such private and confidential health matters have become a subject of public discourse. Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will offer no further comment.”
This is just the latest health issue Weinstein has faced behind bars. Last month, he had emergency heart surgery to alleviate a significant amount of fluid in his lungs and heart, and he was hospitalized in July with COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
Harris, Trump look for votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With exactly two weeks to go until Election Day, both candidates for president are blitzing the battleground states. And we’ve learned how long student loan repayments for about eight million Americans will remain on hold. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Harris, Trump look for more votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With two weeks to go until Election Day, the presidential candidates are crisscrossing the country trying to pick up any undecided voters that remain.
.@Liz_Cheney: Vice President Harris is going to defend our Constitution. We're not always gonna agree, but I know Vice President Harris will always do what she believes is right for this country. She has a sincere heart, and that's why I'm honored to support her pic.twitter.com/lcFD6MGDSF
“So, I think that we are facing a choice in this election; it’s not about party, it’s about right and wrong,” Cheney said. “And I certainly have many Republicans who will say to me, ‘I can’t be public.’ They do worry about a whole range of things including violence, but they’ll do the right thing.”
In Wisconsin, Harris described her opponent former President Donald Trump as “unstable,” referencing comments made by former Trump cabinet members.
“I think it’s very important that we acknowledge — and I have said publicly that Donald Trump is an unserious man,” Harris said, “and the consequences of him ever being President of United States again are brutally serious. Brutally serious.”
Former President Trump visited North Carolina on Monday where he surveyed the damage created by Hurricane Helene and continued his criticism of the Biden administration’s relief efforts.
“The power of nature, nothing you can do about it, but you got to get a little bit better crew and to do a better job than has been done by the White House,” Trump said. “It’s been not good. Not good. I’m here today in western North Carolina to express a simple message to the incredible people of the state: I’m with you and the American people are with you all the way. We’re going to continue to be with you. We’ll see what happens with the election. And we’re, on January 20th, you’re going to have, I think, a new crew coming in to do it properly and help you in a proper manner.”
Trump made two more stops while in North Carolina Monday, holding a rally and speaking at a faith leaders’ event.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, former President Trump will continue campaigning in North Carolina with a rally in Greensboro, and Vice President Harris will sit down for an interview with NBC News in Washington, D.C.
Blinken in Israel to revive Gaza cease-fire talks after Sinwar death
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel once again — his 11th visit to the region since war broke out between Israel and Hamas a little more than a year ago.
On my way to Israel and other stops in the Middle East for intensive discussions about the importance of ending the war in Gaza, returning the hostages to their families, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/lIaRUo7Ea2
This visit is the first stop on a wider tour of the Middle East in which Blinken is expected to revive talks for a cease-fire in Gaza in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Blinken’s weeklong trip comes as the Middle East braces for Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv earlier this month.
Teen arrested after 2 adults, 3 children killed in shooting at Washington home
Officials with the King County Sheriff’s Office said another teenager who had been injured went to a Seattle hospital. They said that teenager and the teen in custody both live at the home where the shooting happened, but did not know the relationships between those teens and the five people killed.
“I just don’t know the relationships, so I’m going to withhold confirming any relationships, but it does appear to be that this is a family incident,” Deputy Mike Mellis told reporters Monday. “Clearly, a domestic violence incident that involves not only a young man — who’s now in significant trouble — and it involves firearms. Young men and firearms.”
Reports say he has chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of bone marrow cancer, and he’s undergoing treatment at Rikers Island prison in New York where he’s serving a 16-year sentence.
This is just the latest health issue Weinstein has faced behind bars. Last month, he had emergency heart surgery to alleviate a significant amount of fluid in his lungs and heart, and he was hospitalized in July with COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
Student loan payments pause extended for 8 million SAVE plan borrowers
Eight million Americans will be able to continue holding off paying back their student loans for at least another six months, the Department of Education confirmed on Monday.
The Education Department said save enrollees will be placed in an interest-free general forbearance for at least six months pending the outcome of legal challenges to the plan.
Cheapest World Series tickets costing at least $1,000 on secondary market
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have each punched their ticket to the World Series and now if you want a ticket, you’ll need at least $1,000. According to SeatGeek, the cheapest single seat for the Game 1 in LA on Friday, Oct. 25, will cost $1,034.
For Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 26, also at Dodger Stadium, the least expensive ticket is $1,209.
Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 28 and 29, head back to the East Coast, with the cheapest tickets for Yankees Stadium costing $1,385 and $1,110, respectively. A possible Game 5 is showing the same as Game 4.
And “if necessary,” Games 6 and 7 would be back in LA, with the cheapest tickets going for around $1,300 or more.
As for the good seats behind home plate at Dodger Stadium, those tickets are going for $1,500 or more.
Harris, Trump field questions during town halls as Election Day nears
With less than three weeks until the presidential election, the candidates are blitzing battleground states and the airwaves with town halls. And in a possible blow to small businesses hoping to rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, one federal agency is running out of money. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.
Harris, Trump field questions during town halls as Election Day nears
With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, the candidates fielded questions on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in two different town hall settings.
Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a town hall in Detroit hosted by radio personality Charlamagne tha God as she looks to reach Black voters. During the town hall, the vice president said she believes slavery reparations should be studied.
Harris said while she is running for “president for everyone” she is “clear-eyed about the history and the disparities that exist for specific communities.”
The vice president also urged Black Americans not to sit out on Election Day.
Vice President Harris: Ask Donald Trump what his plan is for Black America. I'll tell you what it is. Project 2025 wants to implement stop-and-frisk. It wants to make it more difficult for workers to receive overtime pay. He wants to terminate the Constitution, which includes… pic.twitter.com/ZAQNgRkRyq
“The solutions that we all want are not going to happen in totality because of one election but here’s the thing: the things that we want and are prepared to fight for won’t happen if we’re not active and if we don’t participate,” she said. “We cannot allow circumstances to take us out the game because then basically what we’re saying is all those people who are obstructionist, who are standing in the way of change, they’re winning because they are convincing people that it can’t be done so take yourself out, don’t participate. Look at that circle, look at that vicious circle, then so let’s not fall for it.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Georgia moderated by host Harris Faulkner.
The town hall had an all-female audience, with the women posing questions to Trump on issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion. According to reports of the event, which will air later Wednesday, Oct. 16 on Fox News, Trump said some states are “too tough” when it comes to restrictions on abortion and those laws “are going to be redone.”
“The African American community and the Hispanic community are being devastated with the jobs, the numbers are down 6, 7, 8, 9%. They are going to work, and they’re saying, ‘I’m sorry, we’re not going to take you any more.’ People that have worked there and worked there well for years are now being told that they no longer have a job because they have illegal immigrants coming in and taking their job,” Trump said. “Any African American or Hispanic, and you know how well I’m doing there, that votes for Kamala, you got to have your head examined, because they are really screwing you.”
Early voting begins in Georgia with record turnout
Early voting has begun in the battleground state of Georgia and it’s already seeing a record turnout. Voting for the Nov. 5 presidential election started Tuesday and by the late afternoon, at least 252,000 voters had already cast ballots at early voting sites.
That’s nearly double the 136,000 who voted on the first day of early voting in the 2020 election, according to a top Georgia election official.
Also Tuesday, a judge blocked a new rule requiring Georgia Election Day ballots to be counted by hand after the close of voting. That ruling came just a day after the same judge ruled county election officials must certify election results by the deadline set in law.
Small Business Administration runs out of disaster relief funding
The Small Business administration has run out of funding for its disaster assistance loans right after the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That means much-needed financial assistance will be delayed for people applying for help right now.
After a disaster, the SBA provides loans to businesses and people who need them. The organization had warned it expected to run out of money by the end of the month.
Congress can approve more funding, but lawmakers are not set to reconvene until Nov. 12. The SBA administrator said in the meantime, people that need them should keep applying for the loans.
HURRICANE #MILTON SURVIVORS: Business owners and residents in declared disaster areas can now apply for SBA assistance.
Israel strikes Beirut despite U.S. opposition; vows to avoid nuclear sites in Iran
At least one Israeli air strike rocked a Beirut, Lebanon suburb early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 people according to the Associated Press. The strike came just hours after a State Department spokesperson said the U.S. told its key ally it opposed the bombing campaign there in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, the United Nations’ Human Rights Office called for an investigation into an Israeli air strike that happened on Monday which killed at least 21 people in northern Lebanon, saying it posed “real concerns” because it may have violated international laws governing war.
This comes as a Biden administration official said Israel has assured the U.S. it will not hit nuclear or oil sites when it retaliates against Iran for its missile barrage earlier this month.
However, that does not mean Israel will keep its word. In the past, the country’s track record of sticking to what it tells the U.S. has been mixed.
Just last month, U.S. officials were told by their Israeli counterparts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would welcome a U.S.- and French-led temporary cease-fire initiative in Lebanon, only for Israel to launch a massive airstrike that killed a Hezbollah leader two days later.
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $15M in baby powder cancer case
A jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $15 million to a Connecticut man who says he developed a rare form of cancer after using the company’s baby powder for decades. The man says he contracted mesothelioma from inhaling the talc powder.
The jury also said Johnson & Johnson should pay additional punitive damages, which will be determined later by the judge overseeing the case.
After the ruling, Johnson & Johnson’s vice president of litigation said the company will be appealing the decision, saying “erroneous” rulings by the judge kept the jury from hearing critical facts about the case.
Tom Brady approved to become minority owner of Raiders
Tom Brady has been called many names: the GOAT, Super Bowl champion, and NFL commentator, to name a few. Now, he can add team owner to that list.
On Tuesday, NFL team owners voted to approve Brady’s purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. The former NFL quarterback said in a statement he is eager to contribute to the Raiders organization in any way.
Because of his new title, Brady faces some restrictions in his other role as a Fox broadcaster, including being barred from weekly production meetings with the players and coaches in the games he will cover.
More than 2,000 cleaning supplies contain chemicals linked to health issues
Keeping a clean home is a big step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but what if the products a person uses to clean their home are part of the problem? According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches and advocates for safer products, more than 2,000 cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems like asthma, cancer risk and chemical burns.
These substances are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are gases that can be emitted from certain products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the impact of these chemicals depends on how often a person is exposed to them and to what degree they are exposed.
The agency said the concentration of VOCs are often much higher indoors.
One top EPA official said it can be hard to avoid these chemicals because the list of ingredients in cleaning products can be long and it’s hard to tell what exactly you could be exposed to based on that list.
The EPA has made it easier to choose healthier products, though. It has a label a person can look for on cleaning supplies that says the EPA has deemed them a “safer choice.”
The agency also has a dedicated website where people can search for a product to see if it measures up to the EPA’s standards.
Helene may cause thousands of deaths over the decades: Study
As the death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to climb, a new study adds an unsettling perspective about the impacts of the storm, which are likely to last well beyond what some may think. The study, published Wednesday, Oct. 2, said hurricanes and tropical storms are much deadlier than their associated death tolls suggest.
That’s because of the indirect causes these storms can set into motion that aren’t realized until years after the event. Researchers with the University of California Berkeley found an average tropical cyclone in the U.S. indirectly causes up to 11,000 more deaths than reported in the storm’s final toll.
They said since 1930, tropical storms have contributed to as many as 5.2 million deaths in the U.S. Researchers also estimate 1 in 4 infant deaths are somehow related to tropical cyclones, as are 15% of deaths among people aged 1 to 44 years old.
They say tropical cyclones create a broader health issue than previously thought because they often stir up other threats to certain populations – like babies and the immunocompromised.
The study found these excess deaths were mostly due to causes like diabetes, suicide, sudden infant death syndrome or another cause that was not recorded. However, they found cardiovascular disease was the next most common cause linked to the lasting impacts of storms, followed by cancer.
This is the first time researchers have looked at storm-related deaths over such a long period of time. Their study accounted for 501 events from 1930 to 2015. Researchers say over that 85-year span, tropical storms killed more people than car crashes and infectious diseases.
The study’s authors say the numbers were so staggering, they spent years making sure their findings were correct.
The study also found Black people were three times more likely to die after a hurricane than white people. Researchers said their findings validate concerns many Black Americans have been voicing for decades about unequal treatment they face and the circumstances they experience after natural disasters.
Breast cancer deaths down in the US, but diagnoses up
While breast cancer deaths are continuously becoming fewer in the United States, breast cancer diagnoses are becoming more common – especially among younger women. That’s according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.
The new report shows between 1989 and 2022, the United States’ overall breast cancer death rate dropped 44%. That equates to more than 500,000 fewer people dying from the disease.
However, instances of breast cancer diagnoses climbed 1% each year between 2012 and 2021. The study also found a slightly higher increase in cases among women younger than 50 than those 50 and older.
A separate study recently showed breast cancer rates among women 20 to 49 years old have risen over the past two decades.
The new report also found that despite being 5% less likely to get breast cancer than white women, Black women had a 38% higher death rate from it, and the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any race.
The American Cancer Society predicts this year, 1 in 8 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s about 311,000 people. The Cancer Society also predicts about 42,000 of them will likely die from the disease.
There are some ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer, like maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and not drinking alcohol often – or at all. Some people who are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer can also take certain medications to help prevent it.
Black-colored plastics found in kitchen utensils, toys linked to toxic chemical
A study published on Tuesday, Oct. 1, found that black-colored plastics may contain concerning levels of a toxic flame retardant that could be leaching in through the recycling process. The study, done by environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future, found the highest levels of the toxic chemical in costume jewelry kids often wear when dressing up as pirates.
The study’s lead author said these necklaces contain toxic chemicals equal to almost 3% of their weight.
Researchers found one PBDE, in particular, known as decaBDE was found in 70% of samples tested even though it was completely banned in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2021.
The European Union allows a level of decaBDEs up to 10 parts per million in products. The study’s authors said they found levels ranging from 5-1,200 times greater than that in the products they tested.
Take black plastic kitchen utensils for example. Researchers say based on how often they’re used, you could be exposed to nearly 38 parts per million of decaBDE per day — more than three times what the E.U. has deemed acceptable.
Most of the contamination can be traced back to flame retardants used in electronic devices like TVs, smartphones, gaming systems, and computers. This contamination occurs when these items are improperly recycled.
However, these flame retardants can also be found in the padding of things like couches, yoga mats, children’s car seats, just to name a few.
The study also only looked at black plastics, so it’s unclear if the toxic chemicals can be found in any other color of plastic.
Researchers say if you want to cut down your exposure, you can replace your kitchen utensils with stainless steel, dust, mop, and vacuum regularly to get rid of any dust that has been contaminated, and never wash and reuse the black plastic containers your food comes in or put them in the microwave.
What’s more, 79 of the chemicals found are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, and reproductive and endocrine issues, among other health concerns.
Researchers say most of the chemicals leeching from food packaging come from plastics. Chemicals identified in the study include BPA, PFAS and phthalates, but plastics are not the only concern.
One of the study’s authors pointed to recycled food packaging, specifically, because the recycling process allows non-food grade inks to be exposed to the food you eat.
The study’s authors also said while only 79 of the chemicals found in the human body are known to cause health issues, more of the chemicals may be harmful, but we just don’t know it yet. They also note that while food packaging products may comply with government regulations, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are completely safe.
There are ways to mitigate exposure though, like avoiding microwaving food in takeout containers because high temperatures can cause the chemicals to get into food more quickly. Scientists also say foods that are high in fat or acidity also tend to absorb more chemicals from their packaging.
Another good piece of advice given is to avoid small cramped food containers. The more cramped the container, the more contact it has with the food inside.
