Environmental Health Chat

The Microbiome

The collection of microbes living on and inside of our bodies (the microbiome) impacts our health in myriad ways. Because the microbiome is our body's first point of cont

Preventing Prenatal Exposures

Pregnant women and their developing babies are particularly vulnerable to harmful environmental exposures. Although many physicians talk to expecting mothers about smokin

Controlling Allergens in Your Home

The term "allergies" often conjures up images of flowers and tree pollen, but many of the allergens we encounter are actually inside our homes and other buildings. Chroni

A Second Look at the Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing

In this podcast, we consider how our understanding of the impacts of fracking has evolved since we last tackled the issue in 2013. Despite continued debate over the poten

Chemicals in Personal Care Products

The average American woman uses 12 personal care products a day, and men average six products daily. But have you ever read the list of ingredients on your soap, toothpas

Obesity and the Environment

With obesity rates skyrocketing, some scientists are wondering whether there's more to the story than simply too many calories. In this podcast, Dr. Bruce Blumberg highli

Citizen Science

Tracking pollutants and investigating their health impacts requires expensive equipment and years of specialized training...or does it? In this podcast, we're taking a lo

Arsenic in Rice and Other Foods

Arsenic poisoning is a recognized health threat worldwide. Although contaminated drinking water is a primary culprit, people can also be exposed to arsenic through foods.

The Exposome

All of the things we're exposed to, taken together, make up what's called the "exposome." In this podcast, we learn how studying the exposome helps scientists take a holi

The Epigenome

If the genome is like a biological "hard drive," the epigenome is like a computer program that provides instructions for translating genetic information into action. Rece

Environmental Health in the Nail Salon

As summer heats up, so does business in the nation's nail salons. But workers in the booming nail care industry--and their customers--may be exposed to compounds that hav

Native American Health and the Legacy of Mining

According to some estimates, up to 500,000 abandoned mines--areas where coal, ores, metals, and uranium were once extracted from the Earth--are scattered across the Unite

Fighting Asthma with...a Healthy Diet?

More than 25 million people in the United States have asthma. Environmental factors like air pollution, cigarette smoke, and mold are known to trigger asthma attacks, but

Breast Cancer and the Environment: Part 2

In Part 2 of this 2-part series, we talk to an expert about translating breast cancer research into the decisions we make in our everyday lives.

Breast Cancer and the Environment: Part 1

In Part 1 of this 2-part series, we talk to experts studying how the chemicals and other environmental factors we're exposed to early in life might contribute to the deve

Safe Urban Gardening

What could healthier than a backyard garden? In this podcast, we learn why soil contamination makes gardening potentially risky in some areas. Our experts explain what re

Mercury in Seafood

To eat fish or not to eat fish? This podcast explains why some types of fish contain high levels of mercury and how to find low-mercury seafood for your family to enjoy.

Keeping Your Home Safe from Radon

Many homes in the United States harbor an invisible guest - radon. Exposure to this colorless, odorless gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. In t

Protecting Children from Contaminants at School

Schools built on hazardous waste sites? Yes, it really happens. In 1978, the discovery of toxic chemicals leaching into schools and homes built atop a former landfill bro

Impacts of Fracking

The practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract natural gas has expanded in recent years. The practice has fueled a national debate about the shale gas extract