Category: Tox Hot Topics

Wildfire Smoke

Posted on by cassandragabbert

Summertime is peak danger for wildfire season due to dry conditions and high temperatures. Smoke from wildfire is made up of a mixture of gases and particles from the burning trees and plants and air pollutants from burning human-made materials and structures. Inhaling fine particulate matter from the smoke is the biggest threat to health. Children, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with heart or lung disease, and people that work outside are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects. Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to headaches, eye irritation, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular effects.

A few ways to reduce smoke exposure during a wildfire smoke event:

  • Stay indoors or limit time outside and avoid vigorous activities.
  • Wear a NOISH approved respirator such as an N95 while outside.
  • Keep indoor air clean with indoor air filtration.

For more information, visit:

Fireworks and Your Health

Posted on by cassandragabbert

Fireworks are a staple in many American’s holiday celebrations including the Fourth of July. Fireworks can be fun, but they can also be potentially dangerous. According to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 15 firework-related deaths and about 13,000 additional firework related injuries last year. Potential risks depend on whether you are a spectator or non-professional user.

Spectators

Spectators may be exposed to smoke, which contains very small particulate matter and other contaminants. Smoke can disperse into air, and even when you cannot see the smoke levels of particulates can be much higher than background concentrations. Near a fireworks display particulates in the air can exceed health-based air quality standards provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Breathing air with fireworks smoke particulates in it can cause coughing and other breathing problems, raised blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Particulate matter levels typically return to normal by the middle of the following day, but it can take longer depending on the number of fireworks used and the weather.

Spectators more likely to experience health effects from particulate matter near large fireworks displays may include:

  • Children, older adults, and pregnant women
  • Individuals with underlying conditions including:
    • lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • heart disease
    • high blood pressure
  • People who work outdoors

Spectators attending firework shows can reduce their exposure to particulate matter by wearing an N95 or equivalent face mask.

Non-Professional Users

Non-professional firework displays, those done at a cookout or a block party, put the user and those around them at risk. Potential adverse health impacts include:

  • Burns
  • Injury
  • Temporary or permanent hearing loss
  • Temporary or permanent eye damage
  • Smoke inhalation

Non-professional fireworks user safety should include wearing eye and ear protection and a face mask. It is important to note weather conditions including dry conditions and wind as there is always the possibility of starting a fire. People watching the fireworks should choose a viewing location that is a safe distance away. Read the directions for the fireworks used and follow them carefully. State and local laws should always be followed.

Additional Information and Safety Tips

PFAS in the News

Posted on by cassandragabbert

On June 24, 2026, the Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) announced a multi-state settlement with The Chemours Company. Four Chemours facilities located in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey that use or produce per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances are included in the settlement. Chemours is alleged to have illegally discharged PFAS into the Ohio River, Cape Fear River, and Delaware River for over a decade.

Chemours will pay more than an estimated $450 million in penalties and relief programs. These relief programs aim to mitigate PFAS discharge and include controlling surface water and air emission pollution in West Virginia, supplying drinking water to communities located near the facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey, and implementing controls to reduce releases of PFAS and other toxic chemicals in North Carolina.

This is the first comprehensive federal settlement with a major PFAS manufacturer.

For more information, visit:

“Timeless Minis” Lead Paint Recall

Posted on by cassandragabbert

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to immediately stop using Darice “Timeless Minis” toys due to lead paint. Specifically, the miniature red wagons, chairs, and watering cans (pictured below) exceed the lead paint limit and pose a lead poisoning risk. Children exposed to lead can experience negative health effects such as damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems. These health effects can cause lower IQ, decreased ability to pay attention, and underperformance in school. Consumers should take the miniature toys away from children and dispose of them.

For more information on the toy recall and lead poisoning, visit:

Timeless Minis Red Watering Can
Timeless Minis Red Wagon
Timeless Minis Red Chair

FDA Warns Consumers of Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone

Posted on by cassandragabbert

The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers about the use of over-the-counter (OTC) skin lightening products. These products can contain high levels of mercury and/or hydroquinone that can cause serious health effects including kidney damage, neurological damage, and skin problems. Consumers should talk to their health care provider about treatment options for aged or dark spots as there are no FDA approved OTC skin lightening products.

Exposure from Virginia

In 2010, the Virginia Department of Health and California Department of Public Health investigated relatives in Virginia and California that used skin-lightening cream produced in Mexico containing mercury. Symptoms of exposure reported included numbness, tingling, dizziness, forgetfulness, headaches, and depression. A link to epidemiologic and environmental investigations can be found here.

For more information and a list of skin lightening products tested by FDA laboratories and found to contain mercury and/or hydroquinone, visit FDA Warns Consumers of Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone | FDA.

School Indoor Air Quality

Posted on by cassandragabbert

Spring is an important time of year to think about indoor air quality at schools. Schools can face challenges like leaks, humidity, and maintaining comfortable temperatures as the weather warms up. Pollen and mold might trigger asthma health effects in students and staff.

Tips to reduce indoor air quality issues include:

  • Addressing leaks immediately before mold growth starts
  • Completing regular maintenance on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
  • Using high efficiency filtration in HVAC and portable air cleaners

For more information on indoor air quality in schools, visit Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools | US EPA.

About Opiate Alkaloids on Poppy Seeds

Posted on by cassandragabbert

Opiate alkaloids are a group of chemicals that can be produced by the opium poppy plant. Poppy seeds themselves contain little to no opiate alkaloids, but these chemicals can be transferred to the outer surface of the seed during harvesting processes. The misuse of poppy seeds, such as consuming poppy seed “tea”, has been linked to serious adverse events, including death. In general, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not telling consumers to avoid consuming poppy seed-containing foods, but waring consumers about the misuse of poppy seeds.

For more information, visit Opiate Alkaloids on Poppy Seeds | FDA.

 

 

Yellow Oleander Warning

Posted on by cassandragabbert

The FDA is warning that certain supplements contain toxic yellow oleander. The plant is native to Mexico and contains cardiac glycosides (CGs). CGs are a class of naturally occurring steroid-like compounds, and members of this class have been in clinical use for more than 1500 years. They have been used in folk medicine as arrow poisons, abortifacients, heart tonics, emetics, and diuretics as well as in other applications. The major use of CGs today is based on their ability to inhibit the membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme, and they are regarded as an effective treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, increasing evidence has indicated the potential cytotoxic effects of CGs against various types of cancer.

For more information and a list of products containing yellow oleander, visit FDA Issues Warning About Certain Supplements Substituted with Toxic Yellow Oleander | FDA.

2026 National Poison Prevention Week

Posted on by cassandragabbert

March 15-21, 2026, is National Poison Prevention Week. This week is used to promote awareness of how to prevent and respond to poison incidents. People of all ages are at risk of poisoning, ranging from insect stings, medication overdoses, eating or touching poisonous plants, accidental exposure to household cleaners, or recreational drugs. The Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) provides free 24/7 emergency services to residents or physicians dealing with poisonous exposures.

Virginia has two poison center locations, the Virginia Poison Center and the Blue Ridge Poison Center that  have specially trained staff answering calls to provide assistance and treatment. If the poisoning is serious, the call center will refer the caller to the nearest health care facility equipped to handle poisonings.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month

Posted on by cassandragabbert

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Many choices can be made every day to help lower the risk of cancer. Ways to lower cancer risk include avoiding tobacco and alcohol, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and protecting skin from the sun. According to a study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, cigarette smoking was by far the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths. Tobacco smoke is made up of thousands of chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer. Avoiding exposure to cancer causing chemicals can help reduce the risk of developing cancer.

For more information, visit:

Chemicals and Cancer | American Cancer Society

Ways to Prevent Cancer – Prevent Cancer Foundation

Cancer Risk and Prevention | Cancer Causes | Stay Healthy | American Cancer Society