Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 2d

At least 15 million children (13–15 years) are already using e-cigarettes. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

www.who.int/news/item/06...

WHO tobacco trends report: 1 in 5 adults still addicted to tobacco

The world is smoking less, but the tobacco epidemic is far from over. A new WHO global report shows the number of tobacco users has dropped from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. Yet, tobac...

www.who.int

1

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 5d

In light of this spike in youth e-cigarette use, along with the recent U.S. outbreak linked to more than 2,000 lung illnesses and 40+ deaths, the AMA has called for a total ban on all e-cigarette and vaping products that do not meet FDA approval as cessation tools.

www.ama-assn.org/public-healt...

E-cigarettes and vaping: A public health epidemic

www.ama-assn.org

2

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 8d

Even extremely small amounts of the herbicide glyphosate can harm gut health, disrupt metabolism, and change behavior in mice, scientists say. The effects aren’t limited to the exposed animals—they pass on to their children and grandchildren.

@usrighttoknow.bsky.social

Even tiny doses of glyphosate can cause health problems across generations, new study in mice shows

Even extremely small amounts of the herbicide glyphosate can harm gut health, disrupt metabolism, and change behavior in mice, a new study shows.

usrtk.org

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 9d

Said lead author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine: “If we want kids to stay healthy and live longer, then we need to get serious about limiting the use of these materials.” @usrighttoknow.bsky.social @leotrasande.bsky.social

Plastics pose 'urgent threat' to children’s lifelong health, major review warns

A sweeping new study warns that chemicals in common plastics pose serious — and lasting — health risks to children.

usrtk.org

Reposted by Pamela Ferdinand

Knight Science Journalism @ MIT @ksjatmit.bsky.social · 13d

"A look at the ways companies damage our health—and that of future generations."
@pamelawrites.bsky.social (KSJ '24) helped launch Healthwire to bring the latest research on commercial determinants of health to a mainstream audience. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

Healthwire

Investigating industry's impact on our health and future generations.

usrtk.org

1

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 12d

This is why we do what we do at U.S. Right to Know's Healthwire (www.usrtk.org/healthwire). @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

U.N. Health Goals Weakened by Industry Pressure, Experts Say

www.nytimes.com

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 16d

NEW YORK/LONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will ease requirements on nicotine pouch manufacturers under a new pilot program in the first clear sign of a softer stance on smoking alternatives. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

www.reuters.com/business/hea...

Exclusive: US FDA to fast-track nicotine pouch reviews amid White House pressure

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to fast-track reviews of four tobacco firms' nicotine pouches in a pilot program launching on Monday, amid pressure from the Trump administration to speed up approvals, according to meeting transcripts seen by Reuters.

www.reuters.com

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 17d

Commercial actors influence political and economic systems to serve their interests, often at the expense of public health. Their tactics shape societal norms and weaken health policies. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/...

Commercial determinants of health

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 90% of deaths and 85% of disabilities, with four major diseases—cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes—causi...

www.eesc.europa.eu

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 19d

“The alcohol industry has a serious, and dangerous, conflict of interest between its health-related education and policy-influencing activities, and its commercial priorities,” researchers say. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social @markpetticrew.bsky.social

usrtk.org/healthwire/a...

Alcohol industry uses tobacco tactics to downplay deadly risks and block reforms, studies show

Urgent action is needed to protect public health from alcohol industry influence and to curb alcohol-related disease and death, reports show.

usrtk.org

1 1

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 26d

www.theexamination.org/series/smoki...

Smoking for the state

In 18 countries, tobacco isn't just big business — it's government business. A global investigation examines how state-ownership of cigarette companies influences public health.

www.theexamination.org

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 26d

Toxic “forever chemicals” found in 95% of beers tested in the U.S.
Researchers tested 23 different beers from across the U.S., with the highest concentrations showing up in regions with known water contamination. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...

Toxic “forever chemicals” found in 95% of beers tested in the U.S.

Forever chemicals known as PFAS have turned up in an unexpected place: beer. Researchers tested 23 different beers from across the U.S. and found that 95% contained PFAS, with the highest concentratio...

www.sciencedaily.com

1

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · 27d

Clouds, once seen as passive carriers of water, are now recognized as active players in chemical transport and transformation, with direct implications for ecosystems, drinking water, and public health. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/healthwire/b...

Banned pesticides found in clouds, sparking new health concerns

Pesticides banned years ago have been found in clouds above France, raising new concerns about their global health impacts, study shows.

usrtk.org

Reposted by Pamela Ferdinand

Gary Ruskin @garyruskin.bsky.social · 27d

"Pesticides banned years ago in the European Union are drifting through the skies and turning up in clouds above France, raising concerns about how long these toxins persist and how far they can travel, with potentially harmful global health impacts..."
usrtk.org/healthwire/b...

Banned pesticides found in clouds, sparking new health concerns

Pesticides banned years ago have been found in clouds above France, raising new concerns about their global health impacts, study shows.

usrtk.org

4 2

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Sep 8

The US Food and Drug Administration is urging nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging amid a rise in nicotine pouch exposure cases has been reported among young children – with some causing nicotine poisoning. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/h...

FDA calls on nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging amid a rise in accidental exposures | CNN

The US Food and Drug Administration is urging nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging on their products. This comes as a rise in nicotine pouch exposure cases has been reported a...

www.cnn.com

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Sep 8

Research suggests that the rise in UPF consumption might be contributing to the increased prevalence of a range of health problems in many countries. Dozens of studies have linked diets high in UPFs with increased risks of disease. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Are ultra-processed foods really so unhealthy? What the science says

These foods have been linked to obesity and other health troubles, but some scientists argue the grouping is too broad to guide dietary choices.

www.nature.com

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Sep 5

Research links chemicals in cosmetics, packaging, and plastics to tumor growth and reduced treatment success @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

usrtk.org/healthwire/p...

Phthalates in everyday products may fuel breast cancer, new study warns

Phthalates—common chemicals in plastics, personal care products, and food packaging—may drive the growth and spread of breast cancer, a new study warns.

usrtk.org

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Sep 3

Theoretically, a complete phaseout of fossil fuels could prevent up to 82% of all avoidable deaths from human-caused air pollution, the researchers found. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

Pollution, toxic chemicals, and plastics drive millions of heart-related deaths, major review finds

Cardiovascular disease—the world's leading cause of death—is increasingly driven by air pollution, toxic chemicals, plastics, and extreme temperatures.

usrtk.org

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Aug 28

Scientists in Australia are launching one of the most comprehensive trials to date to test whether ditching plastics in food, personal care, and household products can lower internal chemical loads and improve markers of cardiometabolic health. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

New trial will test if a low-plastic lifestyle improves your health

A new protocol published in BMJ Open outlines the PERTH trial, a randomized controlled study testing whether a four-week low-plastic lifestyle can reduce exposure to plastic-derived endocrine-disrupti...

www.news-medical.net

Reposted by Pamela Ferdinand

Gary Ruskin @garyruskin.bsky.social · Aug 19

Vaping triples the risk of cigarette smoking in young people, a major review shows.
Via @pamelawrites.bsky.social @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/healthwire/v...

Vaping triples the risk of cigarette smoking in young people, a major review shows

Youth who vape are about three times more likely to start smoking cigarettes, according to a study of risks of e-cigarette use by young people.

usrtk.org

2 2

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Aug 19

Children, adolescents, and young adults who vape are about three times more likely to start smoking cigarettes than non-users, according to the most comprehensive study yet on the wider risks of youth e-cigarette use. @usrighttoknow.bsky.social @markpetticrew.bsky.social @suholder.bsky.social

Vaping triples the risk of cigarette smoking in young people, a major review shows

Youth who vape are about three times more likely to start smoking cigarettes, according to a study of risks of e-cigarette use by young people.

usrtk.org

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Aug 14

Aspartame—the artificial sweetener found in everything from Diet Coke to children’s medications—may raise the risk of the most common type of stroke by causing inflammation and disrupting blood vessel health and blood flow, new research shows. usrtk.org/healthwire/a... @usrighttoknow.bsky.social

Aspartame sweetener may disrupt blood vessels, raising stroke risk, first-of-its-kind study suggests

Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, may increase the risk of ischemic stroke by damaging blood vessels and blood flow and causing inflammation.

usrtk.org

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Aug 7

For the BBC Disclosure documentary Nicotine Pouches: What's the Problem?, a reporter was secretly filmed buying a tub of orange-flavoured Millions pouches for £7.50.

The shop worker who sold the product told her: "They're special."

Extra-strong nicotine pouches packaged like children's sweets

Nicotine products designed to appeal to children are being openly sold in shops in Scotland.

www.bbc.com

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Jul 6

The more high-fat, high-sugar, and salty food ads young people see, the more of those products they consume. Companies also disproportionately target adolescents, lower-income communities, and Black and Latino youth with the marketing of health-harming food and beverages.

Unhealthy food makers target youth with pervasive ads that fuel long-term health risks, decades of research shows

The more unhealthy food ads young people see, the more of those products they consume—and the higher the risk of disease, a new study shows.

usrtk.org

2 1

Pamela Ferdinand @pamelawrites.bsky.social · Jun 13

The federal government plans to develop a new definition of ultraprocessed foods, a wide-ranging group of snacks, meals and drinks that have become a cornerstone of the American diet.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/w...

What Makes a Food Ultraprocessed? The FDA Is About to Weigh In.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Pamela Ferdinand

Gary Ruskin @garyruskin.bsky.social · Jun 10

Endocrine disruptors impair women’s fertility, may lead to PCOS, major review finds
Via @pamelawrites.bsky.social @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/healthwire/e...

Endocrine disruptors impair women's fertility, may lead to PCOS, major review finds

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) damage female reproductive health, contributing to infertility, PCOS and early puberty, a large review shows.

usrtk.org

2