Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. With research and education, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
- A farm bill for the one-tenth of the 1% A farm bill for the one-tenth of the 1% JR Culpepper July 3, 2025 Don’t call it a budget reconciliation bill. Call it a “farm bill for the one-tenth of the 1%.” That’s because the budget reconciliation bill the House passed today will make it easier for the wealthiest farmers to receive farm subsidies.In particular, the bill increases the limit on farm subsidies for certain commodity crops from $125,000 to $155,000. Less than one-tenth of 1% of farms received more than $125,000 linked to government price guarantees in 2024, according to farm subsidy data provided by the Department of Agriculture. Only one-tenth of 1%…
- EWG testimony before the California Senate Education Committee on AB 1264, to ban particularly harmful ultra-processed foodsEWG testimony before the California Senate Education Committee on AB 1264, to ban particularly harmful ultra-processed foods rcoleman July 2, 2025 Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Scott Faber, testifying for the Environmental Working Group. I also teach food law at Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to joining EWG, I was the vice president for federal affairs for the Consumer Brands Association. The scientific evidence shows overwhelmingly that ultraprocessed foods have been linked to serious health harms, including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Processed foods are part of a healthy diet, and AB 1264 does not…
- California Senate committee advances landmark bill to protect schoolkids from harmful UPFCalifornia Senate committee advances landmark bill to protect schoolkids from harmful UPF rcoleman July 2, 2025 SACRAMENTO – Advancing commonsense policy to protect children’s health, the California Senate Education Committee today passed a bipartisan bill that would phase out certain ultra-processed food, or UPF, from meals served in public schools. UPF are industrially manufactured and chemically modified products. They’re often made with potentially harmful additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance and durability.Assembly Bill 1264, introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), would create a first-in-the-nation legal definition of UPF. The bill would also task Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment scientists to work with University of…
- Experts warn viral TikTok skincare trends may expose kids and teens to harmful ingredientsExperts warn viral TikTok skincare trends may expose kids and teens to harmful ingredients rcoleman June 30, 2025 TikTok is full of influencers’ “get ready with me” videos showcasing glossy creams and trendy serums. Kids and teens watch these and then start their own complex skincare routines, sometimes filming them for their own TikToks. But some of the the products featured in these videos could expose children and teens to ingredients that damage delicate, developing skin, according to a new study. Researchers at Northwestern University reported many of the skincare products young TikTok users see in videos posted by other kids and…
- MAHuh? Trump taps pesticide industry insider to regulate pesticides, abandoning MAHA promisesMAHuh? Trump taps pesticide industry insider to regulate pesticides, abandoning MAHA promises JR Culpepper June 30, 2025 WASHINGTON– In a move that starkly contradicts campaign pledges to crack down on toxic pesticides, President Donald Trump has appointed longtime agriculture lobbyist Kyle Kunkler to serve as the nation’s top pesticide regulator at the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a report in E&E News.Kunkler is a former lobbyist for the American Soybean Association and the Biotech Innovation Organization. He will now lead the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, despite years of advocating against restrictions on farm chemicals such as glyphosate and atrazine. These are…
- EWG comments to California Department of Pesticide Regulation on the process to identify priority pesticidesEWG comments to California Department of Pesticide Regulation on the process to identify priority pesticides rcoleman June 30, 2025 EWG submitted comments to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation on the agency's proposed process for pesticide prioritization. File Download Document ewg_comments-to-dpr-on-pesticide-prioritization_050825.pdf Areas of Focus Toxic Chemicals Pesticides Regional Issues California Authors Alexis Temkin, Ph.D. Bernadette Del Chiaro May 8, 2025
- Minnesota farmers would not gain much from GOP budget farm subsidy proposalsMinnesota farmers would not gain much from GOP budget farm subsidy proposals rcoleman June 29, 2025 The House and Senate budget reconciliation bills are packed with loopholes that will send tens of billions more dollars in subsidies to the largest farms. But most farmers in Minnesota would not benefit much, if at all, from these proposed changes. The bills include proposals that would raise total national spending on farm subsidies by: Increasing crop price guarantees by 10% to 20%Making 30 million additional acres of farmland eligible for subsidy paymentsRaising payment limits from $125,000 to $155,000 per personAllowing every member of a farm…
- New York becomes first state to require ingredient labels on baby diapersNew York becomes first state to require ingredient labels on baby diapers rcoleman June 26, 2025 In a historic move for consumer transparency, New York has become the first state in the nation to require manufacturers to disclose all intentionally added ingredients on baby diaper packaging. Senate Bill S2279C, which the state will start enforcing no later than December 2025 is a first-of-its-kind mandate that applies to both disposable and reusable diapers. It aims to give parents critical information they currently lack about the ingredients and materials that go into diapers. Many people assume that if a product is sold…
- Meet the members of Congress voting on their own federal farm subsidy checksMeet the members of Congress voting on their own federal farm subsidy checks rcoleman June 26, 2025 At least 14 lawmakers will likely vote soon to increase the size of the farm subsidy checks they keep getting from the federal government. These members of Congress and their families raked in millions of dollars through federal farm subsidy programs between 1995 and 2024, according to updated information in EWG’s Farm Subsidy Database. The group includes nine members of the House and Senate agriculture committees. And a vote by these lawmakers for the budget bill Congress is debating would make it easier for their checks…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 35Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 35 JR Culpepper June 25, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook talks with Bob Greenstein, one of the nation’s most respected voices on budget policy. Greenstein is founder and president emeritus of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and a visiting fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project.Cook and Greenstein discuss President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which Congress is considering – and how it could end food and health care support for millions of Americans.They assess how the House…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 35Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 35 JR Culpepper June 25, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and Co-Founder Ken Cook talks with Marion Nestle, one of the nation’s most respected voices on nutrition and food politics. They’ll take on the push by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to achieve “Make America Healthy Again” goals through changes to federal food policy.Cook and Nestle explore Kennedy’s complicated – and at times confusing – position on nutrition. They agree with Kennedy’s shining a light on Food and Drug Administration failures. But they…
- EWG statement on banned toxic chemicals found in personal care products sold in CaliforniaEWG statement on banned toxic chemicals found in personal care products sold in California rcoleman June 18, 2025 SACRAMENTO – More than 170 personal care products occupy store shelves in California, even though they contain toxic chemicals banned under state law.That’s the result of a review by the state’s Department of Public Health as part of the California Safe Cosmetics Program. Chemicals found in the products include hazardous substances such as formaldehyde and mercury, certain phthalates, and the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. They are linked to serious health problems like cancer, hormone disruption and harm to the nervous system.California enacted the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act in 2020, which banned…
- Majority of EWG's audience surveyed washes fruits and vegetables before eatingMajority of EWG's audience surveyed washes fruits and vegetables before eating rcoleman June 18, 2025 To learn more about how consumers address concerns over pesticide residues on produce and food safety, EWG conducted a survey about whether people wash their fruits and vegetables.Survey responses – almost 900 over the course of a week – came through EWG’s social media channels, Food News website and email newsletter. The results show that washing produce is something many people do – although their exact methods vary.We asked how often people wash their produce, the way they wash their produce, and for how long. Washing produce…
- Two new studies find harmful chemicals in children’s bedrooms and mattressesTwo new studies find harmful chemicals in children’s bedrooms and mattresses rcoleman June 18, 2025 Researchers are finding more evidence that kids are likely exposed to toxic chemicals while they sleep, according to a recent pair of studies. The main source of these chemicals is mattresses, which can contain harmful substances such as phthalates, flame retardants and the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Mattresses typically emit these chemicals, which are linked to a range of health harms. And it happens with many popular babies’ and children’s mattress brands. The chemicals release into the air from solids, creating an exposure risk for…
- Best bang for your buck: Recreational sunscreensBest bang for your buck: Recreational sunscreens JR Culpepper June 17, 2025 .has--background.block-content--type-curated-block-list { padding-top: 3rem; padding-bottom: 3rem; } Whether you’re spending time this summer relaxing at the beach or sunbathing in your backyard, protecting your skin from the sun is important. Nothing ruins a nice day, let alone a vacation, like burning to a crisp.But it isn’t always easy to find safe sun protection that works. Just one in four sun protection factor, or SPF, products meet EWG’s strict standards for ultraviolet protection and health concerns based on their ingredients. That’s the takeaway from EWG’s just-updated annual Guide to Sunscreens, a…
- EWG’s guide to washing produceEWG’s guide to washing produce rcoleman June 17, 2025 June 18, 2025 PDF Download Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them helps reduce the amount of pesticide residue on produce and improves overall food safety. For this guide, EWG scientists reviewed dozens of peer-reviewed studies to help determine the efficacy of four common methods of washing: rinsing with tap water, soaking with tap water, or soaking with a solution of either baking soda or vinegar in water.
- California Supreme Court considers the legality of net metering change that harms rooftop solarCalifornia Supreme Court considers the legality of net metering change that harms rooftop solar rcoleman June 16, 2025 Should California’s utility regulators be allowed to make sweeping energy policy decisions without fully considering the benefits of rooftop solar to all Californians? And are those decisions exempt from judicial review? These are the two key questions the state’s Supreme Court may soon answer in a closely watched case that could significantly impact the future of solar energy in California. The ruling is expected this summer. The court heard arguments June 4 in a legal challenge brought against changes the California Public…
- EWG warns EPA’s rollback of power plant mercury, greenhouse gas limits risks public healthEWG warns EPA’s rollback of power plant mercury, greenhouse gas limits risks public health rcoleman June 13, 2025 WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency on June 11 announced yet another rollback of critical health protections, proposing to significantly weaken limits on mercury air pollution from power plants and eliminate limits on utility greenhouse gas emissions.The changes, if finalized, increase the risk of power plant’s mercury ending up in the air and depositing in water supplies, contaminating fish and drinking water. The rollbacks also would scrap existing obligations for utilities to curb their greenhouse gases that contribute to the climate crisis. Yet utilities…
- New EPA data shows 165M people exposed to ‘forever chemicals’ in U.S. drinking waterNew EPA data shows 165M people exposed to ‘forever chemicals’ in U.S. drinking water JR Culpepper June 12, 2025 WASHINGTON – New data released by the Environmental Protection Agency shows an additional 6.5 million Americans have drinking water contaminated by the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. It brings the total number of people at risk of drinking this contaminated tap water to about 165 million across the U.S. That’s a 4% increase in the number of Americans with verified PFAS-polluted water in just the last few months. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancer, reproductive harm, immune system damage and other serious health problems, even at low…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 34Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 34 JR Culpepper June 11, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook is joined by author and journalist Eric Garcia to refute Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s harmful and scientifically discredited claims linking autism to vaccines. They also discuss shifting the conversation around autism to focus on self-advocacy, inclusion, progress and respect. Garcia is the author of “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation,” a book that explores how society can improve support for people on the spectrum through policy, education and health care.Cook also…
- GOP budget bill boosts crop insurance payouts to wealthy corporations, insurance middlemenGOP budget bill boosts crop insurance payouts to wealthy corporations, insurance middlemen rcoleman June 11, 2025 Anne Schechinger June 17, 2025 Almost $37 billion in federal crop insurance payments went to a small number of insurance companies and agents, a new EWG analysis finds. And the House-passed GOP budget bill and the bill proposed by the Senate could send even more money their way.The bill would hike those payments in part by slashing billions in food assistance funds, harming millions of hungry people to benefit wealthy companies and relatively few agents. The Department of Agriculture’s Crop Insurance Program already pays billions of…
- EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™: Almost 60% of Clean Fifteen™ produce free from harmful pesticidesEWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™: Almost 60% of Clean Fifteen™ produce free from harmful pesticides rcoleman June 9, 2025 WASHINGTON – Almost 60% of samples of conventionally grown fruit and vegetables on the Clean Fifteen™ list in the Environmental Working Group’s new Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ had no detectable pesticide residues.Conversely, more than nine in 10 samples of conventional, or non-organic, produce on the guide’s Dirty Dozen™ list contained residues of potentially harmful pesticides. Exposure to some pesticides is linked to health problems, including harm to the nervous system and even cancer.“EWG’s Shopper’s Guide is a tool to inform…
- Learn about the methodology behind EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™Learn about the methodology behind EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ rcoleman June 5, 2025 EWG scientists refined the ranking methodology for this year’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ The 2025 rankings of fruit and vegetables consider pesticide toxicity, in addition to abundance, diversity and intensity. The methodological updates this year change the rankings only slightly, compared to previous updates. Background EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ ranks popular fresh fruits and vegetables based on levels of pesticide contamination and toxicity. EWG has released the Shopper’s Guide nearly every year since 2004. To create the guide, EWG analyzes pesticide…
- Study finds drop in nutritional value of new cereals marketed to kids, prompting health concernsStudy finds drop in nutritional value of new cereals marketed to kids, prompting health concerns Anthony Lacey June 5, 2025 Cereal – the top breakfast choice for kids – may be getting less healthy, according to a new study. It found a significant decrease in nutritional quality of cereals marketed to children that were introduced in the U.S. in 2010 and 2023.Some people think cereal is a healthy way to kick off the day. But many cereals available in the U.S. contain large amounts of sugar, unnecessary ingredients and harmful additives like food dye.And cereal manufacturers know what they’re doing with their…
- Triple dipping: Budget bill raises farm subsidies for wealthy farmers by billions of dollarsTriple dipping: Budget bill raises farm subsidies for wealthy farmers by billions of dollars rcoleman June 5, 2025 Anne Schechinger June 10, 2025 In the past five years, some farmers across the country may have dipped into three types of taxpayer-funded federal farm support to collect a staggering $113.9 billion, according to EWG’s newly updated Farm Subsidy Database.And the House-passed budget reconciliation bill could make this “triple dipping” problem even worse. It would do this by increasing funding for commodity program subsidies, and by making it easier for already wealthy farmers to qualify for more payments.Farm subsidies already favor the…
- California Assembly rushes through bill to break millions of rooftop solar contractsCalifornia Assembly rushes through bill to break millions of rooftop solar contracts rcoleman June 4, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a surprise maneuver late Tuesday, the California State Assembly passed a controversial bill to support utilities’ war on rooftop solar – posing a threat to home values and utility bills for millions of hardworking residents who invested in the clean energy source.Assembly Bill 942 is authored by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier), a former Southern California Edison executive. If enacted, it would break contract terms for solar at homes, apartments and businesses. The bill would make California the first state to…
- New York Food Chemical Safety Act clears state SenateNew York Food Chemical Safety Act clears state Senate rcoleman June 4, 2025 ALBANY, N.Y. – On Thursday, New Yorkers moved a step closer to a safer food supply, after the New York State Senate successfully passed a bill to get toxic chemicals out of food.The New York Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act would ban or regulate use of three harmful chemicals – potassium bromate, propyl paraben and Red Dye No. 3 – from food manufactured, distributed or sold in the Empire State. The bill will next be considered by the Assembly Standing Committee on Codes.The Environmental Working Group is supporting the bill, which was…
- How sunscreen ingredients are regulated in the U.S.How sunscreen ingredients are regulated in the U.S. rcoleman June 4, 2025 Wearing sunscreen is one of the simplest and most important ways to protect your health. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and it’s on the rise, with one in five Americans expected to develop it in their lifetime. The good news? This year, EWG found almost 500 sun protection factor, or SPF, products that are safe and effective. The key is to find a sunscreen you’ll actually use consistently, along with practicing sun safety habits – seek shade, wear a hat and…
- California State Assembly advances landmark bill to protect schoolchildren from harmful UPFCalifornia State Assembly advances landmark bill to protect schoolchildren from harmful UPF JR Culpepper June 3, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, in a major win for children’s health, the California State Assembly voted to advance a bipartisan bill phasing out certain ultra-processed food, or UPF, from meals served in public schools. UPF are industrially manufactured and chemically modified products. They’re often made with potentially harmful additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance and durability.Assembly Bill 1264, introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), would create a first-in-the-nation legal definition of UPF. The bill would also task Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment scientists to work with University…
- California lawmakers advance vital chemical safety, food reforms EWG supportsCalifornia lawmakers advance vital chemical safety, food reforms EWG supports rcoleman May 23, 2025 SACRAMENTO – In a major win for public health, five bills targeting harmful ultra-processed food and hazardous chemicals in drinking water and specific products cleared the California Assembly and Senate appropriations committees today.They include a bill that, if enacted, would make California the first state to adopt new standards for ultra-processed foods, as well as a bill that would require consumer disclosures for prenatal vitamins. Another bill would set strong water standards for the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, amid threat of a rollback of Environmental Protection Agency PFAS…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 33Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 33 JR Culpepper May 22, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook talks with Dr. Aly Cohen about how lifestyle changes can help with protecting the immune system. Cohen is a triple board-certified physician in rheumatology, internal medicine and integrative medicine. She’s the author of the just-released book “Detoxify: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them.” She uses her knowledge as a physician to suggest ways that people can live healthier lives by taking steps to defend against exposure to…
- California bill to retroactively break solar contracts clears key Assembly committeeCalifornia bill to retroactively break solar contracts clears key Assembly committee rcoleman May 22, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Wednesday, the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee approved Assembly Bill 942, a utility-backed bill to undo existing home solar contracts that could ultimately cost more than 300,000 low- and moderate-income residents thousands of dollars in lost property values.The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (Whittier), would inject uncertainty into values for properties where the owners previously invested in contracts to install rooftop solar. The committee’s decision to advance the bill was based on assumptions by some members that it would not…
- The cruelest farm bill everThe cruelest farm bill ever rcoleman May 21, 2025 Don’t call it a budget bill. Call it the cruelest farm bill ever. The House budget bill will make it easier for wealthy farmers to receive farm subsidies and harder for poor people to receive anti-hunger assistance. The bill does this by seeking the biggest cut ever to SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Some of that money will then help finance one of the biggest increases to farm subsidies in decades. If it becomes law, the bill would dramatically reshape policies in ways that make it easier for rich people to collect…
- House budget bill’s top farm subsidy loopholes and giveawaysHouse budget bill’s top farm subsidy loopholes and giveaways rcoleman May 20, 2025 Farm subsidies already favor the largest farms. But the budget reconciliation bill the House will consider this week is packed with farm subsidy loopholes that would make the problem worse. These provisions could add tens of billions to the federal deficit and further tilt the playing field against small family farmers. Here are some of the worst farm subsidy loopholes and giveaways in the bill: Increasing price guarantees. Only 40% of farms grow crops eligible for payments linked to reference prices, and the top 10% of those farms collected almost…
- On food chemicals, Biden and states have done more than TrumpOn food chemicals, Biden and states have done more than Trump rcoleman May 20, 2025 When it comes to food chemicals, it’s time for the Trump team to step up. The Biden administration banned two food chemicals – brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, and Red Dye No. 3. BVO is linked to harm to the nervous system, and Red 3 is linked to cancer. The second Trump administration has not yet banned any food chemicals. So far, the Trump administration has announced the Food and Drug Administration’s intent to narrow the loophole that allows chemical companies to decide whether new food chemicals are safe.…
- ‘City slicker’ farm payments top $2B – and House GOP bill would make problem worse‘City slicker’ farm payments top $2B – and House GOP bill would make problem worse rcoleman May 20, 2025 Almost 80,000 “city slickers” living in some of the biggest metro areas in the U.S. took in more than $2 billion in farm subsidies between 2020 and 2024. Many recipients used loopholes that allow the money to be sent to people who don’t live or work on farms. And House Republicans are proposing a budget bill that would enlarge these loopholes even further. If enacted, their bill would make the problem worse by sending even more taxpayer funds to recipients living…
- Almost 10,000 farmers have received subsidies for 40 straight yearsAlmost 10,000 farmers have received subsidies for 40 straight years rcoleman May 20, 2025 For decades, the Department of Agriculture sent a total of over $10 billion in repeat payments to farmers, according to a new EWG analysis. Every year, for 40 years, the money went to nearly 10,000 farmers in taxpayer-funded farm subsidies or disaster relief.Farmers may receive farm subsidies or disaster payments, even if they have collected a payment for each of those 40 years. Some members of Congress want to use the farm bill debate to increase these payouts for a select few farmers, while putting a…
- Best bang for your buck: Kids' sunscreensBest bang for your buck: Kids' sunscreens JR Culpepper May 20, 2025 .has--background.block-content--type-curated-block-list { padding-top: 3rem; padding-bottom: 3rem; } School’s almost out, and kids will soon be enjoying their favorite part of the year – summer vacation. Whether that means beach trips, summer camp or making memories with other neighborhood kids, they need to wear sun protection.But some sunscreens cost an arm and a leg, or they have ingredients that might pose health risks, or both. EWG is here to help with a list of top-rated sunscreens available at stores such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Amazon and Target. And they’re…
- Just in time for Memorial Day – over 77 percent of reviewed sunscreens rate poorly for skin protection or concerning ingredientsJust in time for Memorial Day – over 77 percent of reviewed sunscreens rate poorly for skin protection or concerning ingredients rcoleman May 19, 2025 WASHINGTON – With Memorial Day weekend kicking off the summer season, the Environmental Working Group is releasing its 19th annual Guide to Sunscreens®. This trusted, science-based guide reveals that almost four in five, or about 80 percent, of sunscreens still offer inadequate skin protection or contain potentially harmful ingredients, or both.This year’s guide reviews 2,204 sun protection factor, or SPF, products – the most EWG has ever evaluated. Of those, 498 products meet EWG’s strictest criteria…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 32Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 32 JR Culpepper May 19, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook and his guests spotlight the growing measles outbreak in the U.S. At the time of recording, there were more than 800 confirmed cases and at least three deaths, including two young, unvaccinated children.Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on earth, and it spreads quickly in communities with low vaccination rates. It was once nearly eliminated in the U.S. But a rise in vaccine hesitancy has opened the door for its return,…
- Harmful heavy metals: Why they’re in tap water and how to reduce your exposureHarmful heavy metals: Why they’re in tap water and how to reduce your exposure Anthony Lacey May 15, 2025 Heavy metals can be harmful even at low levels in tap water. Lead is a heavy metal contaminant in that it comes from pipes, not polluters. Filters like reverse osmosis can remove some heavy metals from drinking water. Among the many contaminants lurking in drinking water throughout the U.S., heavy metals can pose health concerns, because they’re toxic even at low levels. Millions of Americans drink tap water contaminated with these substances every day – many without knowing it. EWG’s Tap…
- EWG statement on bill to ban toxic weedkiller paraquat in PennsylvaniaEWG statement on bill to ban toxic weedkiller paraquat in Pennsylvania rcoleman May 15, 2025 WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, members of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee in the Pennsylvania state legislature held a hearing on several bills to address the use of toxic food chemicals and pesticides that can cause health harms in people.EWG Senior Vice President Scott Faber testified in support of the suite of bills known as the Healthy PA Package, including HB 1135 that would ban the use of the toxic weedkiller paraquat in the state over its links to Parkinson’s disease among other health risks. Below…
- New York state Sen. Brian Kavanagh celebrates Agriculture Committee’s advancement of Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure ActNew York state Sen. Brian Kavanagh celebrates Agriculture Committee’s advancement of Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act JR Culpepper May 14, 2025 ALBANY, N.Y. – State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, lead Senate sponsor of the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, applauds the Senate Agriculture Committee’s vote today to advance the critical food safety legislation. The bill, cosponsored by the Environmental Working Group, would ban harmful food additives and synthetic dyes in the general food supply, impose more stringent bans on chemicals in school meals, and require transparency from food manufacturers about ingredients currently hidden from public view. Kavanagh said:New Yorkers deserve to know…
- Mark Ruffalo condemns Trump EPA rollback of PFAS standards: ‘This will make America sicker, not healthier’Mark Ruffalo condemns Trump EPA rollback of PFAS standards: ‘This will make America sicker, not healthier’ rcoleman May 14, 2025 The following is a statement from activist and actor Mark Ruffalo on proposed efforts to weaken the PFAS drinking water standard by the Trump Environmental Protection Agency: Weakening the PFAS drinking water standard will make America sicker, not healthier, and dishonors people like Amara Strande, Joel Stelt and countless others who were poisoned by PFAS polluters without their knowledge or consent. It also dishonors their families, who have fought tirelessly to bring justice for what can only be described as one…
- Trump administration moves to weaken landmark PFAS protections in drinking water, putting millions at risk and letting polluters off the hookTrump administration moves to weaken landmark PFAS protections in drinking water, putting millions at risk and letting polluters off the hook rcoleman May 14, 2025 WASHINGTON – In a shocking reversal of one of the most significant public health victories in a generation, the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency is moving to roll back vital portions of the nation’s historic limits on the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in drinking waterThese protections – finalized in April 2024 – were hailed as a long-overdue response to decades of industry deception and government inaction. The maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, set enforceable limits allowed in…
- Not so g-r-r-reat: How food ads shape the diets of children and teensNot so g-r-r-reat: How food ads shape the diets of children and teens rcoleman May 14, 2025 Before most kids can spell “nutrition,” they’ve already seen thousands of advertisements for candy-colored cereal, salty snacks and sugary soda. According to a 2024 study, children between the ages of 2 and 11 watch more than 1,000 food and beverage commercials per year. To promote their products to younger audiences, advertisers typically use bright colors, catchy jingles and singing mascots. Remember Tony the Tiger? These characters stick with kids long after the ad is over. The food industry spends nearly $14 billion on commercial advertising, much of…
- Almost 49M tons of manure pose health risk for Minnesota’s waterAlmost 49M tons of manure pose health risk for Minnesota’s water JR Culpepper May 13, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS – Huge amounts of manure from massive livestock facilities in Minnesota could pollute drinking and recreational water throughout the state, posing a significant health risk.That’s the conclusion of a new Environmental Working Group report that updates a similar analysis from 2020, which found widespread risk for water contamination from livestock operations in the state. In 2024, cattle, hog and poultry production at 23,503 facilities produced almost 49 million tons of manure, the new analysis finds. The waste they generate is equivalent to almost 8.5…
- USDA reverses course, commits to restore purged climate webpages in response to farmers’ lawsuitUSDA reverses course, commits to restore purged climate webpages in response to farmers’ lawsuit JR Culpepper May 13, 2025 WASHINGTON – Late Monday night, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reversed course and committed to restore climate-focused webpages purged from its websites after Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), and the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Resources purged from USDA websites include information on climate-smart farming, accessing federal loans, forest conservation, and rural clean energy projects. The USDA erased entire…
- Study finds cancer-causing chemicals in personal care products used by Black women and Latinas in L.A.Study finds cancer-causing chemicals in personal care products used by Black women and Latinas in L.A. rcoleman May 13, 2025 A new peer-reviewed study finds that many personal care products used by Black women and Latinas every day contain harmful chemicals linked to serious health risks, including cancer. The researchers discovered that more than half of the products contained the known carcinogen formaldehyde or preservatives that release formaldehyde. The Taking Stock study assessed products like cleansers, lotions, shampoos and soaps, used by a cohort of 70 women in South Los Angeles. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are added to prevent bacteria and extend shelf…
- Toxic substances in your suds? Study finds PFAS in local water used to brew beerToxic substances in your suds? Study finds PFAS in local water used to brew beer rcoleman May 12, 2025 When you open a cold beer, you’re probably thinking about flavor or hops – not whether you’re also sipping the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. But a new study finds that many beers, especially those from small craft breweries, are brewed with water containing PFAS. Scientists at RTI International tested 23 different beers from around the U.S. and international beers for sale in the U.S. and found over half contained measurable amounts of PFAS. As the world’s third most-consumed beverage, it could…
- Statement on FDA announcement to speed up use of AI for scientific reviewStatement on FDA announcement to speed up use of AI for scientific review Monica Amarelo May 8, 2025 WASHINGTON – Today Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary announced an aggressive timeline to scale up the use of artificial intelligence internally across FDA centers. According to the FDA’s press release, the AI tools will allow FDA scientists to spend less time on “tedious, repetitive tasks” that can slow the scientific review process.Makary directed all FDA centers to begin deployment of the generative AI immediately, with a goal of full integration by June 30.The following is a statement from Scott Faber, the Environmental Working…
- Is chewing gum releasing microplastics in your mouth?Is chewing gum releasing microplastics in your mouth? JR Culpepper May 8, 2025 Chewing gum is a favorite of high school kids and overworked professionals alike – but just one piece can shed thousands of potentially harmful microplastics into your saliva, one study suggests.The research adds to growing concerns about microplastics in food.Chewing a single gram of gum could release an average of 100 microplastics, the study found. A piece of gum typically weighs between 2 and 6 grams, and larger pieces may release up to 3,000 plastic particles. Someone chewing 160 to 180 pieces of gum a year could ingest roughly…
- PFAS tap water protections for almost 19 million Californians at risk if EPA weakens limitsPFAS tap water protections for almost 19 million Californians at risk if EPA weakens limits rcoleman May 7, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nearly 19 million Californians could lose critical protections against the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water if the Environmental Protection Agency rolls back its science-based PFAS drinking water standards, according to a new Environmental Working Group analysis. The EPA’s landmark national standards for six PFAS in drinking water, finalized in 2024, set limits of just 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS – two of the most well-studied and notorious PFAS. But these safeguards are now…
- This Mother’s Day, give gifts that pamper – without toxic chemicalsThis Mother’s Day, give gifts that pamper – without toxic chemicals rcoleman May 5, 2025 Anyone who wants to celebrate Mother’s Day faces a buffet of gift options – a jazz brunch, breakfast in bed, a family picnic or a solo spa day. Personal care products are another nice idea for pampering, although some can have potentially harmful ingredients. If you choose cosmetics and similar items to honor your mom or one of the other special women in your life, look for products made without questionable chemicals. With that in mind, EWG scoured our free, searchable Skin Deep® database of personal…
- Most counties lose if Congress cuts SNAP to boost farm subsidies, fund tax breaksMost counties lose if Congress cuts SNAP to boost farm subsidies, fund tax breaks rcoleman May 5, 2025 Millions of American families could lose access to food assistance if funds are diverted to pay for tax cuts from the wealthy and increased farm subsidies, leading to a funding loss for more than three-quarters of counties, a new EWG analysis finds.The House Republicans’ proposed budget could result in net loss of funding in nearly 80 percent of U.S. counties, deepening poverty and inequality. It would particularly harm rural areas, especially in the very places whose voters – many of them recipients…
- EWG's comments recommending that the FDA adopt action levels for PFAS in food.EWG's comments recommending that the FDA adopt action levels for PFAS in food. JR Culpepper May 5, 2025 These comments are submitted on behalf of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in support of the citizen petition by the Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force (TEJTF) urging the FDA to set tolerances for PFAS on certain foods. File Download Document ewg-pfas-action-levels-comment-letter.pdf Authors Melanie Benesh May 5, 2025
- Do you need to test for toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in your home’s tap water?Do you need to test for toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in your home’s tap water? Anthony Lacey May 4, 2025 The “forever chemicals” known as PFAS contaminate tap water for millions. EWG’s Tap Water Database and interactive map may show if your tap water has PFAS. Most households don’t need to test their water, but private well owners may want to. Millions of Americans have the harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water, according to federal and state data in EWG’s updated Tap Water Database. But some smaller water systems might not be included in the database, and the…
- Nearly 19M Californians could lose protection from toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in tap waterNearly 19M Californians could lose protection from toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water JR Culpepper May 2, 2025 Jared Hayes Melanie Benesh May 7, 2025 Eliminating federal limits in drinking water on the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS could end a vital safeguard against continued pollution for 18.9 million Californians.The Environmental Protection Agency’s landmark standards for six PFAS in tap water, finalized last year, will protect tap water around the U.S. But they are under threat. Some polluters are pushing to dismantle these hard-won protections as part of a broader effort to gut environmental safeguards. If they succeed, PFAS pollution will continue…
- Arsenic in brown rice: What you should knowArsenic in brown rice: What you should know Anthony Lacey May 2, 2025 Americans who regularly eat brown rice instead of white may be exposing themselves to higher levels of the heavy metal arsenic, a recent study from Michigan State University finds. The research also found that young children who often eat brown rice are particularly vulnerable. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen that is toxic to people of any age, and it can harm the developing brain of a baby or toddler.Some simple changes at home, such as avoiding certain rice-based products, can help you reduce your risk of harm. Get…
- What is propyl gallate?What is propyl gallate? Anthony Lacey May 1, 2025 Propyl gallate is a preservative used in foods like chewing gum, meat products, vegetable oil and more. It helps prevent fat and oil from spoiling and is frequently used together with the food chemicals butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. Propyl gallate is associated with serious health concerns. Nonetheless, a federal regulatory loophole means the chemical is considered to be “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, and continues to be allowed for use in food. Health concerns Concerns about propyl gallate and its potential to harm health stem from multiple studies in cells. This research shows…
- California Senate committee advances bill to require tests of heavy metals in prenatal vitaminsCalifornia Senate committee advances bill to require tests of heavy metals in prenatal vitamins Monica Amarelo April 30, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Environmental Working Group is urging California lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 646, a first-in-the-nation measure that would require prenatal vitamin manufacturers to test for and publicly disclose levels of potentially harmful heavy metals in their products.On April 30, the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee passed the bill, following its initial hearing in the Senate Health Committee earlier in the month. Sen. Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) introduced S.B. 646 in February and EWG is sponsoring the…
- EWG testimony to the California Assembly environment panel on A.B. 1264, to ban particularly harmful ultra-processed foodsEWG testimony to the California Assembly environment panel on A.B. 1264, to ban particularly harmful ultra-processed foods Iris Myers April 30, 2025 The following is April 29 testimony from Scott Faber, the Environmental Working Group’s senior vice president for government affairs, before the California Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, on A.B. 1264, a bill to ban particularly harmful ultra-processed food, or UPF, from schools:Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Scott Faber, and I am the senior vice president for government affairs for the Environmental Working Group. I also teach food law at Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to joining…
- EWG's quick tips for shopping for intimate care productsEWG's quick tips for shopping for intimate care products Helen Lucey April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025 PDF Download The skin of the vulva, the external area of the female genitalia, is sensitive to irritation, infection, and allergic reactions. Because of this, some ingredients that are safe at certain concentrations in other personal care products should be avoided in products intended for use on the vulva.Read EWG's quick tips for shopping for intimate care products here.
- Fluoride in drinking water: What we know about its safety and risksFluoride in drinking water: What we know about its safety and risks JR Culpepper April 29, 2025 Fluoride – a natural constituent of teeth and bones – is added to public drinking water supplies throughout the U.S. for its purported dental health benefits. But this process, known as fluoridation, has its critics, who warn that the chemical may cause harm to the body.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is adding fresh fuel to this perennial debate. Kennedy has vowed to end HHS’ longstanding recommendation to add fluoride to drinking water supplies. He’s called fluoride “an industrial waste associated with…
- EWG statement on Trump EPA PFAS announcementEWG statement on Trump EPA PFAS announcement JR Culpepper April 28, 2025 WASHINGTON – Today Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to address contamination from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.The announcement suggests the EPA will delay compliance with new PFAS drinking water standards and will exempt some polluters from PFAS cleanup requirements. The following is a statement from Melanie Benesh, the Environmental Working Group’s vice president for government affairs:We all have PFAS in our blood, increasing our risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. While the details are scarce, today’s announcement suggests the Trump EPA will delay efforts to reduce PFAS in…
- EWG statement on FDA announcement of intent to phase out synthetic food dyesEWG statement on FDA announcement of intent to phase out synthetic food dyes JR Culpepper April 22, 2025 WASHINGTON – Today, following the lead of state legislators, the Trump administration announced an understanding with industry to phase out harmful petroleum-based synthetic food dyes.The dyes serve no purpose beyond making ultra-processed food brighter and more appealing. And they’re linked to serious health harms, including neurobehavioral problems in children.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said they plan to phase out dyes by the end of 2026. While the announcement is welcome, the FDA for…
- The fight for food reformThe fight for food reform dmclark April 22, 2025 For decades, potentially harmful chemicals have been allowed for use in our food, often without proper oversight. EWG has long been working to change that.We’ve joined forces with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI, and other advocacy groups to take on the food chemical and food contact materials industries directly.EWG, CSPI and others have filed petitions seeking stricter food oversight, challenged outdated safety standards and demanded change.Here is a timeline of actions taken by EWG and CSPI since 1994 to prompt government action and the laws and…
- California Assembly ESTM panel advances bill to protect schoolchildren from harmful UPFCalifornia Assembly ESTM panel advances bill to protect schoolchildren from harmful UPF Ketura Persellin April 22, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On April 29 the California Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials voted to advance a bipartisan bill phasing certain ultra-processed food, or UPF, out of meals served in public schools. Schools would be required to comply by 2032.If enacted, A.B. 1264 would task state scientists to work with University of California experts to research UPF links to disease and health harms and identify those that are “particularly harmful.” “Our public schools should not be serving students ultra-processed food products filled with…
- Safer gifts under $25 for baby showersSafer gifts under $25 for baby showers JR Culpepper April 18, 2025 Expectant parents and caregivers can find the number of products designed for babies overwhelming. Baby registries can help organize their needs but can be a challenge to plan.Adding to the complication is that the vast selection of baby-specific products can include many with harmful ingredients. Since their bodies are still developing, babies are particularly vulnerable to chemical exposure that can lead to health harms. For example, exposure to volatile organic compounds can damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system and cause diarrhea and earache in infants. Another class of chemicals, phthalates,…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 31Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 31 JR Culpepper April 18, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook’s guest is former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Bill Reilly. They discuss how the Trump EPA is reversing the agency’s decades-long work to protect public health and the environment.Reilly served as administrator from 1989 to 1993 under former President Bill Clinton. He also held various roles in the presidential administrations of Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush and Barack Obama. His achievements include championing the 1990 amendments to the landmark Clean Air Act. He…
- Despite health harm concerns, BHA and BHT remain in food and cosmeticsDespite health harm concerns, BHA and BHT remain in food and cosmetics JR Culpepper April 16, 2025 Not yet banned in the U.S., the chemicals butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA, and butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, can be found in food and cosmetics sold in stores near you. BHA and BHT are synthetic substances used to stabilize flavors, extend shelf life and enhance color in a wide range of products – from Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch cereals to Estée Lauder moisturizing serums.Since 1958, the Food and Drug Administration has categorized BHA as “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS. It gave BHT the GRAS label in 1959.…
- Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 30Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 30 JR Culpepper April 11, 2025 In this podcast episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook’s guest is DJ Gerken, president and executive director of the Southern Environmental Law Center, or SELC.SELC is the largest environmental nonprofit organization in the southeastern United States. It campaigns for all Americans to have access to clean water, clean air and a liveable climate.Cook and Gerken discuss the Trump administration’s deregulatory actions at the Environmental Protection Agency, including staff and budget cuts, office closures and major rollbacks of critical environmental and public health…
- Widespread TCE contamination at military bases shows need to keep EPA banWidespread TCE contamination at military bases shows need to keep EPA ban Anthony Lacey April 10, 2025 More than 1,400 active and former military bases in the U.S. have had documented contamination with the cancer-causing chemical trichloroethylene, or TCE, a new EWG review finds. And much of the pollution is yet to be cleaned up. This could pose health risks for service members, their families and nearby communities in North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Florida and at least two dozen other states. This legacy of contamination includes some sites with TCE levels hundreds or thousands of times the federal drinking water…
- Environmental and consumer coalition urges legislators to reject Assembly Bill 942, protect California’s Clean Energy FutureEnvironmental and consumer coalition urges legislators to reject Assembly Bill 942, protect California’s Clean Energy Future JR Culpepper April 10, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A powerful coalition of environmental, climate, clean energy, consumer and economic justice advocates is calling on California legislators to reject Assembly Bill 942, a proposal that threatens to undermine the state’s clean energy progress by making solar energy less affordable for millions of households. A.B. 942 would break long-standing contracts with solar consumers who installed rooftop solar systems under state-mandated agreements guaranteeing fair terms for 20 years. The agreements were designed to incentivize Californians to invest in clean…
- Cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water put 122M Americans at riskCancer-causing chemicals in drinking water put 122M Americans at risk rcoleman April 9, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS – A new report from the Environmental Working Group shows the shocking extent of a widespread public health crisis: Over 122 million Americans drink water with high levels of cancer-causing disinfection byproduct chemicals. Manure runoff from livestock factory farming operations contributes to the problem, as it reacts with public water systems’ disinfectants to create these byproducts.EWG’s analysis of nationwide water test results from 2019 to 2023 found that nearly 6,000 community water systems across 49 states and Washington, D.C., had at least one instance of unsafe…
- Manure is one source triggering cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water for 122 millionManure is one source triggering cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water for 122 million rcoleman April 9, 2025 Anne Schechinger April 10, 2025 The way U.S. livestock are raised can have negative consequences for human health. Manure contaminates water, which requires disinfection, and the process can trigger the formation of cancer-causing byproducts. These disinfection byproduct chemicals are a problem facing more than 122 million people served by almost 6,000 community water systems throughout the country. At some point between 2019 and 2023, their water had unsafe levels of these disinfection byproducts, according to EWG’s latest Tap Water Database.The database lets anyone enter their ZIP…
- Key California Assembly committee advances bill to limit ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking waterKey California Assembly committee advances bill to limit ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water Monica Amarelo April 8, 2025 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California is one step closer to protecting millions of residents from tap water contaminated by the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. The Assembly’s Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee on April 8 advanced a drinking water bill that includes setting enforceable state PFAS water standards.Assembly Bill 794, introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), would require that the standards be at least as protective as existing federal PFAS drinking water limits. And it would leave the door open to the state setting…
