Kathryn Rodgers

Notes green building design has made major advancements in reducing carbon emissions. Notes, however, as health has become more central to sustainability, there is a need to similarly reduce the use of toxic chemicals in sustainable building design. Outlines five major areas where scientists and architects can work together to achieve this goal: building codes and standards, green building certifications, the marketplace, design and construction, and building occupants.

Finds, through a study of a representative sample of Americans, that people who ate more meals at home had significantly lower levels of PFAS in their bodies. Finds, in contrast, people who consumed more fast food or ate more frequently at restaurants, including pizza places, tended to have higher levels of PFAS in their bodies. Suggests that fast food and food from other restaurants is more likely to be contaminated with PFAS, which may be due to greater contact with PFAS-containing food packaging.

Finds that between 2003 and 2016 in Massachusetts house fires, overall furniture fires were rare; yet, they were significantly deadlier than other kinds of fires. Shows that among furniture fires, those caused by smoking products were the deadliest. Calls into question fire safety regulations that compel manufacturers to add toxic flame retardants to furniture and suggests other non-toxic measures are more effective and could save more lives.

Synthesizes the findings from 158 epidemiology studies on environmental chemicals and breast cancer published between 2006 and 2016. Finds that results from key studies suggest that exposure to chemicals early in life—in the womb, during puberty, and through pregnancy—increases the risk of developing breast cancer later on. Reveals the strength of evidence for early exposure to DDT, dioxins, the highly-fluorinated chemical PFOSA, solvents, and air pollution and breast cancer. Creates a roadmap for researchers studying environmental chemicals in humans.

Finds 47 flame retardants in 100 dust samples collected from two U.S. college campuses in the northeast. Finds widespread exposure to flame retardants, with some of the highest levels reported in the literature, especially on the campus with the more severe flammability standard for furniture. Shows that standards matter can impact people’s exposures to flame retardants, which can have significant impacts on their health.

Synthesizes existing information on removal and discharge of contaminants of emerging concern from conventional septic systems and centralized wastewater treatment plants. Shows that while reductions in these contaminants occur during onsite treatment, substantial quantities are released in Cape groundwater, particularly in densely developed areas.