Blog

Cotton may come from a plant, but growing and manufacturing it can involve pesticides, dyes, finishing agents, and other chemicals. Here’s what science has found in cotton clothing — and what certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton, and OCS actually tell you.

Golf courses may look like healthy green spaces, but maintaining them can involve pesticides that affect the nervous system, hormones, and other parts of the body. New research has linked living near golf courses with higher odds of Parkinson’s disease, raising questions about pesticide exposure through air, soil, and water and what golfers, workers, and nearby residents can do to reduce it.

What’s on a product label may not be everything that’s actually in the bottle. New Million Marker Research Institute studies found unlabeled chemicals in more than 90% of tested personal care and cleaning products—and revealed major gaps in how product safety certifications verify what’s really inside. Learn why finished-product testing matters and what consumers can do to make more informed choices.

Fertility care can be a major financial investment. Learn how to think about the costs of fertility testing, IUI, IVF, and environmental health support so you can plan ahead, prioritize what matters, and make more informed decisions about where to invest.

FDA just approved bemitrizinol (BEMT) as an active ingredient for sunscreens. Find out the safety of BEMT, where to find these products, and how this chemical UV filter works compared to mineral sunscreens.

Polyethylene is generally considered one of the “safer” plastics for food contact, but it still contributes to microplastics and overall plastic pollution.

Avobenzone is widely used in broad‑spectrum sunscreens; it’s effective for UVA, but can be unstable unless combined with stabilizers, which is why some people prefer mineral alternatives.

Benzophenone helps protect products from UV damage, but some studies link it to possible carcinogenic and endocrine‑active effects.

BPS helps harden plastics and print receipts, but emerging data links it to BPA‑like hormone effects, so many low‑toxin experts recommend minimizing contact.

BHA is added to extend shelf life by slowing fat oxidation; regulatory agencies allow limited use, but some studies raise questions about long‑term cancer and endocrine effects.

Ethoxylated phenols work well in detergents, yet concern is growing over their breakdown into compounds like nonylphenol, prompting a shift toward alternative surfactants.

PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are used in nonstick pans, stain‑resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foams; certain types are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune effects