Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) form when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic material (from the decomposition of leaves and other vegetation) naturally found in drinking water sources. The use of chlorine to disinfect drinking water has been hailed as one of the major public health breakthroughs in the 20th century, resulting in a large decrease in mortality from waterborne infectious disease. However, in 1976 the National Cancer Institute published data showing that chloroform, a chlorination byproduct, caused cancer in rodents. There is now evidence that disinfection—though pivotal in fighting infectious disease—may also result in cancer and other health risks for humans. Read more »

A wide variety of waterborne viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause acute diarrhea. These include Cryptosporidia, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, rotavirus, E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogenic E. coli species, Giardia, and the caliciviruses (i.e., Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses). Read more »

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death, exceeded only by heart disease. According to recent National Cancer Institute statistics, the incidence of many cancers, including breast, testicular, urinary bladder, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has increased in recent decades. As described in this document, some neoplastic diseases have been linked to drinking water contaminants. Read more »

Atrazine is the most widely used pesticide in U.S. agriculture and is the predominant member of the triazine herbicide family. Although EPA restricts use to certified applicators, atrazine is used extensively in the Midwest, as well as in the Appalachian region, New England, and the Coastal Plains. Some 80 million pounds of atrazine are applied annually, primarily to corn, sorghum, and other crops. It is also registered for use on lawns and golf courses. Read more »

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is a protozoan parasite known to infect humans and many animal species. The infective oocysts of Cryptosporidium are shed in the feces, and infection can occur by consumption of contaminated food or water, ingestion of contaminated recreational water, or through contact with feces of infected persons or animals. Cryptosporidium is not new, but is has gained recognition, both because it has become more widespread and because of evidence that there are potential life-threatening consequences of infection in the growing population of immunocompromised persons. Read more »

What health care providers should know. Read more »

When public health crises occur, whether they be the unexpected side effects of a medication, a grave natural disaster or an epidemic, doctors are looked to as leaders and advocates for treatment and future prevention. In the event of a nuclear explosion, doctors would be the vanguards of the emergency response. Read more »

Five new fact sheets by PSR on the health impacts of global warming highlight information on heat-related illness, vector-borne disease, the impact on food supply, vulnerable populations, and global warming’s mental health effects. Read more »

A fact sheet on the health impacts of coal-fired power plants. Read more »

The nuclear industry seeks to revitalize itself by manipulating the public’s concerns about global warming and energy insecurity to promote nuclear power as a clean and safe way to curb emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on foreign energy resources. Read more »