Sustainability in the News

Source: The New Lede, 4/2/26

"People living near concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in California, Texas and Iowa suffer from higher rates of cancer, suggesting that the air and water pollution from the massive farms may be playing a role, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Environmental Research, comes just weeks after a years-long report in Iowa found the state’s agricultural chemicals and CAFO pollution are, in part, behind its rising cancer rate. In the new study, Yale University researchers examined the rates of all cancers over the past 20 years in Texas, California and Iowa counties along with the density of CAFOs in the counties. High exposure counties were defined as those in the top 25% of CAFO density for their state. The researchers found rates for all types of cancers were 4% higher in highly exposed California counties, and 8% higher in highly exposed Iowa and Texas counties when compared to counties with lower CAFO density.  They found certain cancers were more strongly associated with CAFO density in each state. For example, stronger links were seen for bladder cancer in California, colorectal cancer in Iowa, and lung and bronchus cancer in Texas."

Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2026.124298.

Source: Turkiye Today, 4/5/26

"Microplastics can reduce production in aquaculture systems by as much as 18%, according to a new study by researchers from Istanbul University, who warn that urgent measures are needed to protect sustainable food production. The research, carried out by Professor Nuray Erkan and Gokhan Tuncelli at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, examined how microplastic exposure affects farmed aquatic species within a controlled production system. The team modeled an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system, a method that combines different species across the food chain to mimic natural ecosystems and improve efficiency. In this setup, rainbow trout, freshwater mussels, and duckweed (a small floating aquatic plant) were cultivated together. Published in Aquaculture International, the study exposed systems to 10–20 micrometer polyethylene microplastics through feed and water for 45 days. This was followed by a 45-day depuration phase to allow organisms to clear the contaminants. When microplastics were present in both feed and water, the system’s total biomass production dropped by 18%. Researchers also observed that fish growth performance declined at certain stages compared to the control group, while duckweed production decreased as well. Although mussels did not show a consistent drop in filtration capacity, the overall efficiency of the system was negatively affected, indicating that microplastics can disrupt production balance even when some species appear less impacted." 

Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-026-02508-z. 

Source: The Allegheny Front, 4/6/26

"A team of epidemiologists have been looking into the causes of various cancers, beyond smoking, for years. They recently published their third study in the series, which focuses on lung cancer, in the journal Environmental Health...The researchers looked at 1,078 counties in the 15 states that provided data to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, and simulated a scenario where everyone stopped smoking. On average, lung cancer rates were cut by more than half, but the results varied widely. In some counties, lung cancer rates plunged. But in others, there was only a modest drop...Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI) they found that in counties with higher pollution levels, cancer rates remained higher than in places with cleaner air...The researchers were surprised in their latest study to find a link between non-smoking related lung cancer rates and benzene, which is emitted from coke ovens, as well as many other sources."

Source: NYU Langone Health, 3/31/26

"Exposure to a chemical commonly used to make plastic more flexible may have contributed to about 1.97 million preterm births in 2018 alone, or more than 8 percent of the world’s total, a new analysis of population surveys shows. The chemical was also linked to the deaths of 74,000 newborns, the researchers further estimate. The toxin, di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), is part of a group of chemicals called phthalates, which appear in cosmetics, detergents, bug repellents, and other household products. Experts have found that these substances can break down into microscopic particles and enter the body through food, air, and dust. Led by NYU Langone Health researchers, the new study focused on preterm birth, which is a major risk factor for lasting learning and developmental issues and is a leading cause of infant death, according to the World Health Organization. The new analysis provides the first global estimate of preterm births connected to exposure to DEHP and explores which parts of the world are most affected, according to the authors. A report on the findings published online March 31 in the journal eClinicalMedicine."

Read the full study at https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(26)00089-1/fulltext.

Source: Contemporary Pediatrics, 2/18/26

'Babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed in utero to a broader range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than previously documented, according to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology. Using a data science–based approach and advanced chemical detection methods, investigators identified dozens of PFAS in archived umbilical cord blood samples, including compounds not routinely measured in traditional testing panels.'

Source: Waste360, 3/16/26

'A new Minnesota study finds high-temperature incineration can destroy 99%-plus of PFAS with minimal air emissions. The report follows similar findings from a Clean Harbors study. Both research projects add to a growing body of research suggesting thermal treatment is effective at eliminating PFAS—though interpreting emerging data requires careful consideration of specific operational nuances.'