Sustainability in the News

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: Interesting Engineering, 4/7/26

"Chinese researchers have just developed a revolutionary sodium battery that can effectively eliminate thermal runaway, one of the most dangerous failure modes, by forming a so-called smart firewall inside the cell. The research was carried out by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It was led by Yong-Sheng Hu, PhD, a professor at the Institute of Physics, who specializes in advanced materials for sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries. For the project, the team built a self-protecting, non-flammable electrolyte that physically blocks thermal runaway in sodium-ion batteries. This marked the first time such a level of safety has been achieved in high-capacity cells."

Source: The National, 3/19/26

"Loganair, the UK's leading regional airline has made aviation history, completing the first-ever electric flight in Scotland alongside BETA Technologies, a US electric aerospace company. The company will fly BETA's ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft, from Glasgow to Dundee, marking a breakthrough moment for low-emission flight in Europe."

Source: Interesting Engineering, 2/25/26

"A perovskite-based hybrid device developed by researchers at the Institute of Materials Science of Seville (ICMS) in Spain can operate simultaneously in rain and sunshine, overcoming the hurdles of using solar cells in cloudy conditions. The innovation is expected to boost deployments of the Internet of Things (IoT) and outdoor sensors used for monitoring structures and environmental conditions, a press release said."

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.'

Source: Earth.com, 3/8/26

'Microplastics are usually discussed as an ocean problem. But they are also building up in farmland soils, and a new scientific review argues that their impact goes beyond physical pollution. A team of researchers led by Jiangsu University focuses on what happens at the microscopic level on the surface of plastic particles, where microbes meet, compete, and trade genes. These interactions, they say, could influence soil fertility, ecosystem recovery, and the long-term sustainability of agriculture...The review’s core idea is simple but unsettling: microplastics are not passive debris. In soil, they may become miniature biological arenas where microbes and viruses reshape each other – and in doing so, reshape the land we depend on for food. The study is published in the journal Agricultural Ecology and Environment.'

Source: Canary Media, 3/9/26

'When rockets blast off Earth, they rely on tiny metal powders to help propel them into space. Now, an emerging group of startups and scientists is hoping to harness these particles for something more terrestrial: producing carbon-free energy for factories. Powdered iron can be combusted in industrial boilers to supply the hot water and steam needed to produce everything from beer and baby formula to paper and plastic resins — without directly emitting carbon dioxide. The concept is about a decade old, but companies are just starting to make serious inroads to put the technology into practice.' Dutch startup Renewable Iron Fuel Technology, or Rift, recently reported raising almost 114 million euros ($131 million) in private financing and public grants to develop its first commercial project. 'Rift will initially use a small amount of virgin iron powder, sourced from industrial suppliers. But the goal is to continually recycle the ashes — which are pure iron oxide — to make new fuel. When combined with low-carbon hydrogen, iron oxide splits into water and iron powder, the latter of which will be returned to the boiler.'

Source: Anthropocene Magazine, 3/10/26

'Most people think climate change will primarily affect other people, a new analysis of previously published research reveals. The findings illustrate a well-known cognitive bias known as “overoptimism,” specifically a variety called “overplacement,” which describes how people tend to rate their own risks as less likely and less severe than those of others. This tendency can make people less likely to take action to reduce their own risks by, say, quitting smoking or getting vaccinated. Overly optimistic risk perceptions could also make people less likely to support climate action, the researchers say.'

For full details, see Sandlund I., et al. “Meta-analytical evidence of a self-other discrepancy in climate change-related risk perceptions.” Nature Sustainability 2026.

Source: CBS New York, 3/5/26

'A new study shows toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS may be entering the food chain on Long Island through contaminated soil, water and air...Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) conducted the study, along with Stony Brook University and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), in August 2025. They said they purchased a total of 23 items of produce from eight farms on the North Fork and South Fork, including six conventional farms that use pesticides and two organic farms. The farms were not named in the study. The produce included carrots, romaine lettuce, Boston lettuce and beets. The vegetables were frozen the day they were collected and tested for PFAS at Stony Brook labs. Testing revealed some high levels of PFAS, which have been linked to cancer.'

Source: Inside EVs, 1/30/26

'Used EVs are now the cheapest cars to own over a 10-year vehicle life period, according to a new study from the University of Michigan published in Environmental Research Letters. In short, a three-year-old electric mid-size SUV can offer an average lifetime savings of $13,000 compared to a new gas-powered mid-size SUV. Meanwhile, a used gas SUV from the same category can deliver a lifetime savings of just $3,000, according to the study’s authors.'

Source: The Week, 3/3/26

'Scientists have created a “sustainable, highly efficient” method to “upcycle plastics to value-added acetic acid,” which is the main component of vinegar, said a study published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials. The process is a “bio-inspired cascade photocatalysis using iron atoms embedded in carbon nitride,” said a release about the study. It is similar to “how certain types of fungi break down organic matter using enzymes.”'

Source: The New Lede, 3/11/26

'California farming has a PFAS problem, with traces of “forever chemicals” from pesticides found on 37% of nearly a thousand samples of the state’s conventionally grown produce, according to a new analysis of 2023 data from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR). The analysis, published March 11 by the Environment Working Group (EWG), found residue of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on 40 types of fruits and vegetables. Individual pieces of produce often contained multiple types of PFAS chemicals, with residues of 10 different PFAS found on strawberries, and over 90% of nectarines, plums and peaches testing for fludioxonil, a PFAS pesticide considered an endocrine disruptor by the European Food Safety Authority.'

Source: CNN, 3/17/26

‘The “forever chemicals” known as PFAS are increasingly known to potentially pose many threats, the latest of which may be child bone health, according to a new study. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of about 15,000 synthetic chemicals commonly used in products such as clothing, nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, food packaging, carpets, cleaning products, paints, and stain and water repellents. These compounds do not break down in the environment and can easily migrate into the air, dust, food and soil, also contaminating nearly half the drinking water in the United States.  Notably, PFAS accumulate in our bodies and have been found in the blood of people of all ages, including newborns.’ 

Researchers found that PFAS chemical exposure in children tended to be related to lower bone strength in those individuals as young teens. This was particularly true for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), historically one of the most widely used and studied PFAS chemicals in the US. The findings suggest exposure to these chemicals may keep individuals from reaching their genetic potential for bone density, potentially raising risk for fractures and osteoporosis in older adulthood. The study was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

Source: University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS) Newsletter, March 2026

'CSS faculty Ben Goldstein, with co-authors Estefany Cabanillas and Mark Lefsrud, published a new study comparing controlled-environment lettuce farming to conventional agriculture across Canada, finding that controlled-environment agriculture can reduce water and land use, but the environmental benefits hinge on local energy grids. In provinces with low-carbon energy grids, like Quebec, the climate change impacts of controlled urban farming are lowered. In contrast, in carbon-heavy grids like Alberta, emissions exceed those of conventional farms. The results underscore that urban agriculture’s sustainability depends on low-carbon energy sources and geography, suggesting controlled-environment agriculture should be prioritized in cities with low-carbon energy grids or alongside renewable energy sources.'

Read the study in Agronomy for Sustainable Development.

Source: The New Lede, 3/10/26

‘A genetically modified wheat under development in the US would increase the use of an herbicide that is linked to soil, water and fetal harm, according to a new report. The report, from the environmental organization Friends of the Earth (FOE), comes six months after agricultural organizations announced they are partnering to develop what would be the first genetically modified (GMO) wheat, called HB4, commercially available in the US. Proponents of HB4 say it is drought-tolerant and will bolster food security and help farmers grow wheat in a changing climate. FOE said that HB4 — which was approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2024 — would prompt more use of the herbicide glufosinate, which scientific studies have linked to premature births, impaired fetal development, kidney problems and disruption of the gut microbiome. HB4 is engineered to withstand glufosinate, which can be sprayed directly on the wheat and will only kill weeds. The FOE report also warns that HB4 could hamper US exports since not all importing countries accept GMO wheat, and it would harm US farmers that are not using GMO wheat by contaminating their fields.’

Source: Environmental Health News, 3/13/26

‘A recent study published by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology examined the link between some childhood cancers and water sources contaminated by two PFAS chemicals - PFOS and PFOA - in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California…Children born in areas with PFAS contaminated water sources had an increased risk of childhood cancers. PFOA contamination was particularly linked to a higher risk of retinoblastoma (a rare eye cancer), while PFOS contamination was associated with higher odds of both retinoblastoma and neuroblastoma (a nerve cancer). The study authors emphasized the contributing role of multiple environmental risk factors, particularly given the high rates of poverty in these counties.’ 

Source: Chemical & Engineering News, 3/11/26

‘Cobalt and nickel, bound together in lithium-ion battery cathodes, are difficult to separate during battery recycling. Researchers have now found a way to tease the elements apart electrochemically with the help of tartaric acid, which is found in grapes and is a wine-industry by-product (Sci. Adv. 2026, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aec7956).'

Source: Chemical & Engineering News, 3/9/26

'Ski waxes that incorporate organic fluorine help winter athletes glide better on snow. Fluorine-containing waxes have been banned from competitions since 2023 because of concerns about PFAS. This year's Winter Olympics was the first to deploy the fluoro wax test, which is based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to detect carbon-fluorine signatures.'

Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 3/4/26

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and MIT have converted plastic waste into a microbe-friendly food source to build an upcycling pipeline that turns the waste into a variety of useful products. They engineered the bacterium Pseudomonas putida to convert polyethylene terephthalate, a main class of single-use plastics found in containers like water bottles, into pyruvate, a molecule that most organisms rely on to generate the cellular energy and biomass that sustain them. The researchers also developed a series of specialist microbes, each of which consumes pyruvate to produce a unique end-product. Such products include biopolymers and enzymes used in medicine, chemicals and fuels used in engineering, and electricity for powering electronics. Their findings have been published in the journal Nature Sustainability.

Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 3/4/26

Olefin epoxidation is a process used to generate epoxide chemicals, which are the backbone of the textile, plastic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The current industry-standard process uses harsh peroxides, which are difficult to dispose of safely and emit carbon dioxide, to facilitate oxidation reactions. Water can be used as an oxidant instead of peroxides, but its O-H bonds are difficult to break, requiring high-temperature conditions. That makes using water as an oxidant highly energy-intensive and further contributes to CO2 emissions. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chemistry professor Prashant Jain's research group, with colleagues from the Universidade de São Paulo and Northwestern University, demonstrated a method combining the power of electricity and energy from visible-light photons to break the H-O-H bonds in water, effectively turning water into an oxidant without requiring high-temperature heating.

Read their study, published by the American Chemical Society, at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.5c18709.

Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2/26/26

Scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new edge-of-field water-treatment system that reduces the load of excess nutrients washing into waterways from farm drainage systems. Their method combines a woodchip bioreactor with a two-step biochar water-treatment module. A one-year field trial demonstrated that the system reduced both nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from farmland. The study, published in the Journal of Water Process Engineering, also included a techno-economic analysis that found that the bioreactor-biochar system could become a cost-effective alternative to current edge-of-field practices while achieving better water-quality outcomes. The team was led by Hong Zhou and Wei Zheng of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Source: Science, 2/18/26

'Science fiction definitely saw this one coming. Writers for the Superman, Star Trek, and Mission Impossible franchises all dreamed up the idea of storing libraries of data in glass. Now, Microsoft researchers say they are bringing this vision closer to reality by storing nearly 2 terabytes (TB) of data—enough for hundreds of thousands of photos or hundreds of hours of video—in coaster-size plates of glass. The new approach, described today in Nature, could archive data for thousands of years, simply and cheaply.'

Source: Chemistry World (Royal Society of Chemistry), 2/4/26

"Scientists have disagreed over methods used in a number of high-profile studies that found microplastics throughout the human body. Having been criticised, the researchers who worked on them say that the scientific community must continue to improve on these results. 'I would not dismiss the papers coming out – they are using the best methods available and the consistency across labs is becoming clear,' Matthew Campen from the University of New Mexico tells Chemistry World...The issue was brought to public attention by an investigation in The Guardian that highlighted concerns raised by scientists about these studies...Central among the various criticisms are concerns that the plastics discovered might have been accidentally introduced by the scientists themselves...Bartczak and colleagues are trying to help by developing representative test materials and quality control materials. They have also produced a practical guide on how to measure microplastics reliably...'There is broad agreement that microplastics are persistent pollutants of growing global concern, that they accumulate in all environmental compartments, and that they are present in drinking water and food. However, the true scale of the problem and the associated toxicological implications are still being evaluated.'"

Source: University of Queensland, 1/27/26

'An international team of researchers, led by The University of Queensland and Imperial College London, has proposed a new framework for scientists detecting and measuring microplastics in the human body...Thirty scientists from 20 institutions have proposed the new forensic-style protocol and urge careful interpretation of recent reports about the presence of microplastics in human tissues...The research is published in Environment & Health.'

Source: Chemical & Engineering News, 2/6/26

'Seawater has tons of lithium, but it is present at a concentration of just 200 parts per billion (ppb) and is drowned by sodium and other more abundant ions. Efficiently extracting lithium from the sea requires increasing its concentration and not nabbing sodium in the process.

Materials such as hydrogen manganese oxide (HMO) that selectively adsorb lithium are one solution, but they are slow. So researchers engineered a seesaw-like device based on HMO that boosts lithium concentrations by more than 15-fold in seawater (Device 2026, DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.101028). Using just sunlight and gravity, the device captures 70% more lithium than the adsorbent would on its own. And as it rocks back and forth, it casts off unwanted salts that build up on its surface.'

The research team consisted of Hao-Cheng Yang and Zhi-Kang Xu of Zhejiang University, Seth B. Darling of Argonne National Laboratory, and colleagues.

Source: Texas A&M University, 2/4/26

'What do microplastics, water color, and satellites have in common? Dr. Karl Kaiser, professor of marine and coastal environmental science in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at Texas A&M University at Galveston is exploring an innovative idea: using satellites to spot microplastics in the ocean. How? By studying how tiny plastic particles change the way light reflects off the water — and how that changes the color we see from space. If this connection works, it could give scientists a powerful new tool to track microplastic pollution across the globe without ever leaving orbit.'

See https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c05604.

Source: Phys.org, 2/2/26

'A University of Missouri researcher is pioneering an innovative solution to remove tiny bits of plastic pollution from our water. Mizzou's Susie Dai recently applied a revolutionary strain of algae toward capturing and removing harmful microplastics from polluted water. Driven by a mission to improve the world for both wildlife and humans, Dai also aims to repurpose the collected microplastics into safe, bioplastic products such as composite plastic films...The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.'

Source: University of Texas at Austin, 2/4/26

'Supra Elemental Recovery Inc. (Supra), a startup that spun out of engineering and natural sciences labs at The University of Texas at Austin, has launched with a $250,000 investment from Discovery to Impact's UT Seed Fund as part of its pre-seed funding round. Supra will commercialize its proprietary technology that leverages advances in chemistry, materials science and engineering to recover critical minerals at high purity from U.S. waste sources, including mine tailings, industrial byproducts and electronic waste.'

Source: Northeastern Global News, 2/5/26

'New researchout of Northeastern University has discovered a new way to extract rare earth elements out of coal tailings, the cast-off soil and rock left behind by coal mining. Using a chemical treatment and a specially designed microwave reactor to control the temperature, the researchers have doubled the extraction levels previously possible.’

Source: Associated Press, 2/5/26

In February 2026 Malaysia announced 'an immediate and full ban on the importation of electronic waste, as the government vowed the country would not be a “dumping ground” for the world’s waste. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said in a statement late Wednesday that all electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, would be reclassified under the “absolute prohibition” category effective immediately. This removes the discretionary power previously given to the Department of Environment to grant exemptions for importation of certain e-waste.'

Source: WSIL News 3, 1/29/26

'A team of Southern Illinois University Carbondale physics researchers has received a $523,000 federal grant to explore new ways to make refrigeration and air conditioning more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly...Researchers will investigate whether certain solid materials — such as metals exposed to magnetic fields or pressure — can be used to cool spaces more efficiently than traditional systems, which rely on vapor-compression technology. In conventional refrigeration, a circulating liquid absorbs heat from an area and releases it elsewhere, a process that requires significant amounts of electricity.'

Source: Environmental Health News, 1/9/26

'A recent review published in Emerging Contaminants found that eggs from chickens raised near waste disposal sites contained high levels of bromated flame retardants (BFRs), a class of long-lasting toxic industrial chemicals.'

Source: The Post and Courier, 1/21/26

Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler traced PFAS contamination in South Carolina's Lower Saluda River to a Shaw Industries' plant in Irmo that makes nylon fibers and resins for carpets. This in-depth article was written by Tonly Bartelme with contributions from Glenn Smith and Marilyn W. Thompson of The Post and Courier.

Source: The Independent, 1/8/26

'Chinese scientists have detected plastic particle clouds hovering in the air over two large cities indicating that these potentially toxic particles are far more abundant than previously thought.'

Source: The New Lede, 2/2/26

'In a move that reflects mounting US opposition to a class of harmful insecticides linked to environmental and human health risks, Colorado lawmakers last week introduced a bill to curb the use of neonicotinoids.

The Strengthening Economic and Environmental Decisions (SEED) Act, or SB65, introduced to the state Senate on Jan. 28, would prohibit the use of crop seeds coated with neonicotinoids on farmland unless the buyer obtains a certificate from a government-approved verifier who can certify that the use of the treated seeds is "necessary and appropriate."'

Source: SnowBrains, 1/30/26

'Hot waxing presents several opportunities for acute exposure to PFAS from ski wax, as was highlighted in a recent literature review from Middlebury College. Heating the wax to above its melting point releases volatile organic compounds, or compounds with relatively low boiling points. Mechanical scraping of the wax can also release aerosols and particulate matter, capable of further inhalation hazard...The recent review highlighted that a host of studies have found that ski technicians have higher blood concentration of PFAS than any other occupation, including firefighters, known for their high levels of exposure from the use of PFAS containing fire suppressing foams.'

Source: Oceanographic, 1/30/26

'Microplastic pollution in British seas has been found to be more than double what has been previously recorded, according to new data collected in a joint project between the University of Portsmouth and GB Row Challenge...While the findings represent a substantial change compared to previous measurements, researchers say that other factors, like differences in weather, sea state and samplings potentially could have stirred up microplastics that would have otherwise remained below the surface, in turn affecting the results.'

Source: Trellis, 1/20/26

'What is a New York City handbag giant doing in central Illinois, where it lacks boutiques, offices and factories? Tapestry, which runs the Coach and Kate Spade brands, together with Pivot Energy, completed three community solar projects on Jan. 8. They total 13.5 megawatts, enough to power about 2,500 homes. Two more installations will follow those just established in Peoria, Ottawa and tiny Dover, Illinois, in a 15-year partnership, announced in 2023. The five community solar projects will add up to a modest 33 megawatts. However, those clean electrons are instrumental to Tapestry's goal for 2025, which it reached, to count 100 percent renewables across its own operations, according to Logan Duran, global head of ESG and sustainability at Tapestry.'

Source: Inside Climate News, 1/28/26

'One-third of fish living in Pacific island waters—like Fiji's thumbprint emperor or Vanuatu's dash-and-dot goatfish—are contaminated with microplastics, according to data published Wednesday by researchers at the University of the South Pacific. Commonly misperceived to be a remote wilderness insulated from global waste, this study establishes the first regional baseline of Pacific marine microplastic ingestion. Such pollution threatens delicate ecosystems and the coastal populations who rely on fish as a primary source of protein.'

Source: Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), 1/9/26

Acrylic acid is an industrial chemical that gives disposable diapers their absorbency, makes water-based paints and sealants more weather-proof, improves stain resistance in fabric, and enhances fertilizers and soil treatments. It is converted from a precursor called 3-Hydroxypropionic acid, or 3-HP, which is made almost exclusively from petroleum through chemical synthesis in an energy-intensive process. Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Penn State University have developed a cost-effective, bio-based method to produce 3-HP and validated its commercial potential. 'Their new paper in Nature Communications reports on the development of a high-yield strain of Issatchenkia orientalis yeast for 3-HP production, as well as extensive techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment that demonstrated its commercial viability and environmental benefits.'

Source: UIC, 1/13/26

'UIC researchers are scaling up a system for farmers to produce ammonia in their own backyards. The method, which uses renewable electricity and Earth’s natural resources, appears in the journal PNAS.'

Source: Phys.org, 1/27/26

'Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have developed a patented breakthrough system that marks a major step forward in insect biomanufacturing, waste reduction and sustainable protein production. The new "Black Soldier Fly Billet" was developed in the lab of Jeffery Tomberlin, Ph.D., a Texas A&M AgriLife Research Fellow, professor in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology and director of the Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation. It represents the first reliable method for long-term, room-temperature storage of young black soldier fly larvae...Each billet is a pint-sized container engineered with layers of fermented feed, newborn larvae and a dry food "blanket," sealed with a breathable lid that maintains consistent moisture and temperature. The system preserves larval viability far beyond the two-to-four-day window typical under conventional rearing methods. Once opened and emptied onto organic waste, Tomberlin said each unit can generate up to more than 3 pounds of harvestable larvae in as little as seven to 10 days.'

Source: Forbes, 1/17/26

'Switching to a circular electric vehicle (EV) battery economy is essential to meet growing demand and avoid a critical bottleneck in the supply of key minerals, according to a new analysis.

The report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation warns a bottleneck could threaten higher and volatile prices, which in turn could lead to a slower uptake of such vehicles.

It argues only a practical, system-wide circular economy approach can keep pace with market appetite, build resilience in the supply chains, and deliver better value.'

Source: U.S. Right to Know, 1/30/26

'Pacifiers can release bisphenol A, a chemical linked to hormone disruption and developmental problems, with the highest levels found in one marketed as "BPA-free," a new study shows. The research, published Jan. 24 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, raises questions about hidden chemical exposure during infancy and how baby products are regulated and labeled. It is among the first to quantify how much BPA can leach from pacifiers and estimate how much infants and toddlers, whose bodies and hormone systems are still developing, may absorb during everyday use.'

See https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-026-37444-1 for the study.

Source: Ksmith@dailyherald.com, Katlyn Smith. “Working toward ‘Net-Zero’ Status.” Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), 2026, p. 4. Access World News, Accessed 2 Feb. 2026. 

The visitor center and animal hospital at the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn, IL is the first "net-zero" designed building in the DuPage County forest preserve system. Solar energy is expected to produce 110% of the facility's needs, and the building also incorporates a geothermal system, double-glazed windows, and extra insulation.

Source: Environmental Health News, 1/9/26

"A recent study published by The Lancet Planetary Health examined the public health risks of exposure to a mixture of common plasticizer chemicals, including bisphenol A (BPA) and eight phthalates. 

In short: 

• Exposure to the mixture of nine plasticizer chemicals was associated with an increased risk of death from all causes, as well as an increased risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease. 
• Reducing overall population exposure to this mixture could prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. each year. 
• These risks were only found in people who had lower concentrations of vitamin D and vitamin B9 (folate) in their blood, suggesting that vitamins may help play a role in mitigating harm from exposure. "

Source: Capital & Main, 1/16/26

'After the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires, federal officials and private companies led a patchwork of efforts to remove debris and contaminated material from areas that burned and others covered in toxic ash.

One year later, homeowners have had the inside of their houses tested after completing remediation and many found hazardous levels of chemicals including lead and asbestos. Community groups and scientists who have worked together on testing projects are now pushing for a more stringent certification system to ensure families don't move into homes with dangerous levels of pollutants.'

Source: France 24, 2/3/26

'Britain on Tuesday unveiled its first national plan to curb "forever chemicals," seeking to cut risks to human health and the environment, the government said. PFAS, used in products from cookware to food packaging, persist for decades and accumulate in nature, posing threats likely to endure for hundreds of years.' 

To read the new UK policy paper, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pfas-plan/pfas-plan-building-a-safer-future-together.