Babies Are Exposed to More “Forever Chemicals” Before Birth Than Previously Known, New Study Finds | Mount Sinai - New York Babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed to many more “forever chemicals” before birth than scientists previously understood, according to new research published in Environmental Science & Technology.  

Babies born in the early 2000s may have been exposed to more “forever chemicals” before birth than previously thought. Researchers, including #SOTMembers, analyzed cord blood from infants and found similar PFAS exposure regardless of birth order: www.mountsinai.org/about/newsro...

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: NIH has issued a notice of funding opportunity that supports NIH-funded research partnerships by linking US institutions with foreign collaborators under a structured grant system. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: NIH NIGMS has issued a notice of funding opportunity that funds basic biomedical research and trains future scientists to advance health and science nationwide. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: NIH NIGMS has issued a notice of funding opportunity that supports institutions to train undergraduates for successful careers in biomedical research. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

Widely used pesticide linked to more than doubled Parkinson’s risk A new study from UCLA Health has found that long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos is associated with more than a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The research, published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, combines human population data with laboratory experiments showing how the pesticide damages dopamine-producing brain cells, providing biological evidence for the link.

A new study co-authored by #SOTMembers found that long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos may be associated with a higher risk of developing #Parkinsons disease: www.uclahealth.org/news/release...

PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy Not Associated with Behavior Issues in Children, ECHO Study Finds - ECHO Previous findings on the effects of prenatal PFAS exposure on child behavior have been inconclusive due to small sample sizes, limited exposure variability, and differing measures of child behavior. This study looked at the relationship between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and child behavior using harmonized measurements collected from many mother-child pairs from across the United States.

Researchers, including #SOTmembers, studied PFAS exposure during pregnancy and child behavior. Most PFAS showed no link, but medium prenatal PFHxS levels were tied to more emotional issues in preschoolers—effects didn’t persist into school age. Learn more: echochildren.org/research-sum...

PFAS Exposure Associated with Changes in Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy - ECHO The composition of the gut microbiome is dependent on a variety of factors, including diet, lifestyle, and exposure to environmental chemicals. These microbes often help aid digestion, support immune health, or protect against pathogens. Changes in the maternal microbiome may impact multiple pregnancy health outcomes related to metabolism and inflammation. Therefore, it is important to identify environmental factors that may affect microbiome health during pregnancy.

Researchers, including #SOTMembers, studied PFAS exposure during pregnancy and analyzed maternal gut microbiomes. While overall bacteria diversity wasn’t affected, PFAS was linked to changes in specific gut bacteria. Learn more: echochildren.org/research-sum...

The SOT Endowment Funds enhance SOT programs as well as provide individual awards which recognize SOT members and provide travel support for the SOT Annual Meeting and other educational activities. Join other #SOTmembers in supporting the Endowment: toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/ranulf...

Model to study extreme heat, related health effects advanced by NIEHS Division of Translational Toxicology scientists develop valuable resources to understand temperature exposures and guide public health.

Researchers, including #SOTMembers, in the NIEHS Division of Translational Toxicology have developed a new temperature-tracking model that uses real-time data from personal weather stations to map heat at the neighborhood level:

Recognizing that shifts in the government and economic landscapes have negatively impacted #SOTMembers, SOT Council is creating a Hardship Relief Temporary Endowment Fund to assist members who experienced and continue to experience interrupted employment: toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/cynthi...

UNC Researchers Uncover Wildfire Smoke’s Impact on Respiratory Health | Newsroom Breathing wildfire smoke, even briefly, can change the bacteria and immune cells in your lungs, which may contribute to adverse health effects.

Breathing in wood smoke—even for a short time—can change the bacteria and immune cells in your lungs, finds study co-authored by #SOTMembers: news.unchealthcare.org/2025/11/unc-... via @UNC

Underlying Metabolic Syndrome Exacerbates Vibrio vulnificus-induced Acute Kidney Injury via Systemic Th17/Treg Dysregulation | American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology | American Physiological… | Madhura More Our new study, published in American Physiological Society Publications - American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology, uncovers how underlying metabolic syndrome and obesity-driven inflammation exacerbate Vibrio vulnificus-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gtFWjtvV We show that a high-fat diet amplifies systemic Th17/Treg dysregulation, driving pro-inflammatory signaling and worsening sepsis-associated kidney damage. Importantly, our findings suggest that high fat diet induced increase in IL-17 signaling contributes to renal injury, pointing to potential therapeutic targets for patients with obesity facing severe bacterial infections. A huge thank you to my PI Dr. Saurabh Chatterjee, and my colleagues and co-authors Punnag & Subhajit for their collaboration on this work. This study sits at the intersection of infectious disease, immunometabolism, and renal physiology—highlighting how climate change and the global obesity epidemic intersect to impact human health.

A new study co-authored by #SOTMembers explored how a high-fat diet and obesity may worsen infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium whose cases are rising with warmer waters: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Non #SOTMembers: The Undergraduate Development Program Advisor Travel Award provides the opportunity for faculty advisors to attend the Undergraduate Development Program March 21–23, 2026, at the SOT Annual Meeting. Learn more and apply by Oct 15: sotapply.toxicology.org/prog/undergr... #SOTAwards

Study raises red flags about BPA replacements Chemicals used to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging can trigger potentially harmful effects in human ovarian cells, according to McGill University researchers. A new study examined several chemicals commonly used in price stickers on packaged meat, fish, cheese and produce found early signs of potential toxicity. The findings, published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, raise concerns about the safety of BPA-free packaging and whether current regulations go far enough to protect consumers. BPA substitutes disrupt gene expression The research began with the 2023 discovery by Stéphane Bayen, Associate Professor in McGill’s Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, that label-printing chemicals like bisphenol S (BPS), a BPA replacement, were leaching through plastic wrap into the food. He teamed up with colleagues in reproductive toxicology to investigate what these substances could be doing inside the body. Lab-grown human ovarian cells were exposed to four commonly used BPA substitutes: TGSA, D-8, PF-201 and BPS. Several of the chemicals, particularly TGSA and D-8, caused a buildup of fat droplets in the cells and changed the activity of genes that help cells grow and repair their DNA. “These are major cellular functions,” said Bernard Robaire, co-senior author of the study and James McGill Professor in McGill’s Departments of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Obstetrics & Gynecology. “Disrupting them doesn’t prove harm in humans, but it gives us a strong signal that these chemicals should be further investigated.” Unregulated replacements under the radar BPA is a chemical that can interfere with the body’s hormones, and has been linked to problems with fertility, early development and metabolism. Because of these risks, it has been banned in baby bottles and restricted in some products in Canada. Many of the chemicals used to replace BPA are not regulated or routinely tested, the researchers explained. “‘BPA-free’ is an incredibly misleading label,” said Robaire. “It usually means one bisphenol has been swapped for another, and there are more than 200 of them. Some may be just as harmful, or even worse. We need to test these compounds before they’re widely adopted, not after.” Health Canada has now added all four substances to a list of chemicals requiring further investigation. For consumers looking to err on the side of caution, Robaire suggests removing labels and plastic wrap from fresh foods before storing. He also recommends choosing items from the top of store display piles rather than the bottom, where pressure from stacking may push chemicals more deeply into the packaging and food. About the study “High-content imaging and transcriptomic analyses of the effects of bisphenol S and alternative color developers on KGN granulosa cells” by Lama Iskandarani, Stéphane Bayen, Barbara Hales and Bernard Robaire was published in Toxicological Sciences. The study was supported by the McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative.

A study, co-authored by #SOTMembers, finds bisphenol A (BPA) replacements in food packaging may harm human ovarian cells: www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/cha...

UofL research shows combined exposure to alcohol and “forever chemicals” increases liver damage — School of Medicine University of Louisville Posted by UofL News on August 4, 2025

New research, co-authored by #SOTMembers and published in #ToxSci, reveals that PFOS can worsen alcohol-related liver disease: louisville.edu/medicine/new...

New report highlights plastic pollution as a grave and growing danger to health and announces an independent, health-focused global monitoring system While the impacts of plastic pollution on human health and the environment are growing, the report finds, increasing harm due to plastics is not inevitable.

Researchers, including #SOTMembers, provide a comprehensive assessment of how plastics can affect us—from infancy to old age: www.whoi.edu/press-room/n...

A recent report that involved #SOTMembers examined veterans’ exposure to toxic substances during military service and its potential connection to mental health conditions: www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/men...

An NIEHS-supported study co-authored by #SOTMembers showcases a biologically based mathematical model that may accurately predict polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in developing zebrafish tissues: factor.niehs.nih.gov/2025/8/paper...

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: US FDA has issued an opportunity that supports research to better detect and monitor heart toxicity from cancer treatments. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: @NIH has issued an opportunity that supports research on how chemical threats affect the nervous system to help develop new treatments for civilian mass exposure. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

Submit a Proposal for the Return of Tiny Tox Talks to San Diego! San Diego was the site of the first SOT Tiny Tox Talks program in 2022. The program has been a smashing success since and will return to San Diego in 2026.  

Submit a proposal for the return of Tiny Tox Talks to San Diego by Wednesday, September 10! Tiny Tox Talks are mini presentations, lasting no more than 20 minutes including Q&A, delivered by #SOTMembers in the Tiny Tox Theater in the ToxExpo. Learn more:

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: @NIH has issued an opportunity that supports early career researchers doing small-scale studies to help inform @US_FDA tobacco regulations. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

Intramural papers of the month The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Exposure to chemical mixtures found in plastics, such as those used in food packaging, during pregnancy may increase the risk of high blood pressure disorders, finds study co-authored by #SOTMembers: factor.niehs.nih.gov/2025/7/paper...

Extramural papers of the month The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Whole-body inhalation of iron, a common air pollutant, may trigger signs of neurodegenerative disease in mice, with effects differing by sex, finds study co-authored by #SOTMembers: factor.niehs.nih.gov/2025/7/paper...

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: @NIH has issued an opportunity that supports early-stage research to develop new methods for targeting undruggable proteins in hard-to-treat diseases. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only) 

Extramural papers of the month The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Arsenic may play a role in ovarian cancer by disrupting DNA and triggering inflammatory signaling pathways, finds study co-authored by #SOTMembers: factor.niehs.nih.gov/2025/7/paper...

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: @NIH has reissued an opportunity that supports bold, high-impact research with the potential to transform science, medicine, or technology across NIH-relevant fields. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: @NIH has issued an opportunity that supports creative early-stage investigators pursuing bold research with major impact potential across NIH mission areas. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

RESEARCH FUNDING ALERT: @NIH has issued an opportunity that supports exceptionally creative scientists pursuing bold, innovative research with major impact potential across NIH mission areas. toxchange.toxicology.org/blogs/rebecc... (accessible by #SOTMembers only)

Metals found in disposable e-cigarette vapor could pose health risks - American Chemical Society Researchers report that some disposable vapes released higher amounts of metals and metalloids than older refillable e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes.

New research co-authored by #SOTMembers reveals that heating components in popular disposable vapes can release toxic metals like nickel, chromium, lead, and antimony into the vapor user's inhale. Learn more: