Articles by Monica Amarelo

Reforming federal cosmetics law: What is the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act?

Almost a year ago, President Joe Biden signed the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, or MoCRA, into law, marking the first significant update to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic...

Safer storage: Avoiding microplastic concerns while managing holiday leftovers

As the holidays approach, our kitchens are warming with festive feasts for friends and loved ones. The joy of preparing and indulging in holiday delicacies is often followed by the challenge of...

7 holiday cleaning tips for a healthy home

’Tis the season of joy and celebration – but with all the cooking and entertaining, our homes can quickly become a mess. Many of us may feel inspired to engage in a bit of seasonal cleaning –...

Study: Exposure to toxic ‘forever chemicals’ during pregnancy increases odds of health harms

California researchers have found alarming evidence of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in the blood of pregnant people.

Cosmetics companies face major concern over asbestos contamination of talc

Johnson & Johnson recently agreed to a $8.9 billion settlement of more than 60,000 lawsuits alleging that its baby powder and other talc-based personal care products caused cancer.

Frightful ingredients hiding in Halloween face paint

With Halloween around the corner, many kids will use face paint as the perfect finishing touch for their costumes. It’s a popular alternative to costume masks, which can obscure children’s vision on...

Spotlighting women’s health for Women’s Health Month

Women’s relationship to the environment is unique in many ways, with lifestyle choices and habits presenting special challenges, because some of the personal care products they use may contain harmful...

What is chromium-6? Here’s what you need to know

Hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6, is the cancer-causing chemical that poisoned the community of Hinkley, Calif., made notorious by the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich.”

New tests find toxic 'forever chemicals' in bedding, yoga pants and other textiles

Two new reports find detectable levels of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in consumer textile products like bedding, tablecloths and sportswear.

PFAS news roundup

September 17: PFAS could cost taxpayers billions of dollars, manufacturing PFAS emits a potent greenhouse gas and more

PFAS news roundup

The groundwater of at least nine military installations close to the Chesapeake Bay is contaminated with high levels of the toxic fluorinated “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to Department...

Does DMDM hydantoin really cause hair loss? Here’s what you need to know

DMDM hydantoin, a preservative in shampoos, conditioners and other water-based personal care products, is the focus of several class-action lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and Unilever claiming...

PFAS news roundup

August 6: Senate infrastructure bill includes $10 billion for PFAS cleanup, FDA fails to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ from food containers and more

PFAS news roundup

July 23: California proposes bold public health goals for PFAS in water, House passes PFAS Action Act with bipartisan support and more

PFAS news roundup

On Wednesday, the Environmental Working Group hosted its Inaugural PFAS Conference , featuring EPA Administrator Michael Regan, notable federal policymakers, several members of Congress and state...

PFAS news roundup

June 25: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ widespread across many cosmetics categories, Maine passes strict PFAS limits in water and more

Steer clear of formaldehyde-releasing hair-smoothing treatments

For more than a decade, the Food and Drug Administration and the cosmetics industry have known that keratin hair-smoothing treatments – commonly called “Brazilian blowout” treatments – release unsafe...

PFAS news roundup

June 11: It’s raining PFAS, EPA acts to protect public from ‘forever chemicals,’ Congress introduces bills to mandate DOD cleanup of PFAS and more

PFAS news roundup

On Wednesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed into a law a ban on the sale of certain products containing the toxic “forever chemicals" called PFAS, including firefighting foam and equipment, food...

PFAS News Roundup

This Week in PFAS: Roundup of news about toxic 'forever chemicals." (5/14)