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Choosing a Christmas tree with fewer chemicals

We buy around 8 million real Christmas trees in the UK each year. They're thought to have been introduced to the UK by Prince Albert in 1840, but it was...

Go organic for breakfast

Breakfast is aruably the most important meal of the day, supplying nutrition to replenish our body after a night’s sleep when key metabolic functions are carried out. So, what we put into...

Pillars of health

We’ve been having a lively debate here at lastinghealth about the pillars of health - what they are, how important they are to us, and how many there might be....

Let’s talk about mould

With an estimated 1 in 10 homes affected by mould infestations, this creeping health risk is a serious concern for many. Mould grows in areas with excess levels of moisture...

Healthier Bonfire Night ideas

What are your childhood memories of Bonfire Night - a raging fire, standing too close, fireworks shooting off, and lots of woody smoke? Decades ago, we didn’t think much...

Wet weather clothes

Keeping dry when the weather is wet and raining is a centuries old problem. As the weather turns we’re reaching for outer layers that provide protection from wind and rain,...

Is it time to re-think our wood burners?

Around 8% of households in the UK burn wood in their homes. A recent survey asked people what they thought about wood burners and found that 44% thought they should...

The link between breast cancer and endocrine disruptors

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month which aims to bring information and support to anyone concerned about or affected by breast cancer. Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise have proven...

World Car Free Day

Friday 22 September 2023 is World Car Free Day. The aim of the day is to cut CO2 emissions by giving up our cars for a day and travel in...

Go organic in September

As the season changes, this month sees the return of Organic September, an initiative led by the Soil Association to work with everyone to transform the way we eat, farm...

Packed school lunches

As children return to school many will take a packed lunch with them. We take great care to create healthy lunches for our children to eat, but what about the storage...

What do we know about insect repellents?

As mosquitos and midges rise in the summer months, insect repellents can be an important safeguard for our health - but how much do we know about them? Most...

Microplastics in washing

Wastewater from laundry is a major contributor to microplastics in our waterways and oceans. It’s estimated that around a third of microplastic pollution arises from microfibres released when we wash...

Can you help us with our market research?

If you share our concerns about the effects on our health of exposure to chemicals in our food and everyday products, we'd like to invite you to help us with...

What are ultra processed foods?

Ultra processed food (UPF) is the term used to describe foods where multiple ingredients have been combined to produce foods such as crisps, biscuits, mass produced breads and cakes, sugary...

A book about glyphosate

In this post we’re trying something a bit different by offering a review of a book about glyphosate – the world’s most widely used herbicide. Toxic Legacy - How...

The link between mental health and the air we breathe

Air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths every year in the UK - it is the most worrying environmental health risk we face today. But the effects of air pollution on our mental...

It’s strawberry season!

Strawberries are synonymous with Wimbledon, and this year will be no exception, even if it rains! A whopping 8615 punnets are consumed each day during the tournament, all grown in...

Sunscreen – mineral or chemical?

Staying safe in the sun is fundamental to our health, especially during the summer months when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. As you reach for the sunscreen, you...

What is a digital product passport?

Can you imagine using your smartphone to scan a QR code on everyday products to give you detailed information about how they have been produced, and exactly what they have...

Clean Air Day, The UK’s largest air pollution campaign

Thursday 15 June is Clean Air Day, a day of action to raise awareness about air pollution around the UK. This year's theme is 'Clean up our air to look...

Genetically modified (GM) food

GM food is an example of a GMO, a term used to describe a genetically modified organism where its gene pattern has been modified or engineered, either by adding or...

Get kids gardening

Spending time in green spaces and gardens is good for our physical and mental health, and this includes infants and children. Studies have shown that levels of depression and anxiety can...

A spoonful of honey

There are around 20,000 species of bees in the world pollinate up to 35% of the world’s crop production. They play a vital role in the health of ecosystems and...

Exposure to flame retardants in tents

If the great outdoors is calling you, you might be thinking about buying a new tent. But before you do, bear in mind that flame retardancy regulations in many countries,...

May sees the return of #NoMowMay a campaign to encourage us to leave the lawnmower in the garden shed throughout May. Its aim is to help the UK rebuild biodiversity of...

Sustainable clothing without chemicals

Fashion Revolution Week is an annual campaign that brings together the world’s largest fashion activism movement for seven days of action during April. One of its major activities is the...

A day to celebrate tea

Tea is the most popular drink in the world after water, and in the UK, we drink 165 million cups a day! That’s 60 billion cups a year. It helps to wake...

One in six could face infertility

One in six people may experience infertility at some stage in their lifetime. This is the startling estimate for 2022 from the World Health Organization (WHO) who have just published...

Easter egg chocolate choices

Easter weekend is almost here, and it feels like Spring at last. Eggs at Easter time have symbolised new life and rebirth in some faith traditions for centuries, meaning that...

Do you take your shoes off indoors?

Removing your shoes at the door is customary in many homes, and in some cultures it's seen as a mark of respect to leave your shoes outside. But there might...

Mediterranean diet lowers risk of developing dementia

Eating a Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Data was used from 60,000 male and female participants aged 40-69 recruited to the UK Biobank....

Chemical free gifts for your mum this Mother’s Day

As we approach Mother's Day, retailer shelves are brimming with an abundance of “health, beauty and wellbeing” products – from bath bombs and body scrubs to makeup and moisturisers –...

PFAS – the everywhere, ‘forever chemicals’

PFAS present a serious concern to our health, so a new study which identifies breast milk as the primary source of exposure to PFAS in infants is deeply concerning. Researchers examined samples of breast...

What can you do if you get the flu?

For the last two years our health focus has been largely on coronavirus, but it looks like the common cold and flu is back with a vengeance. So, what can you...

Rinse aid affects immune and inflammatory responses

A new study has revealed an important link between gut health and inflammation and exposure to alcohol ethoxylate used in professional rinse aids, to alterations in gene activity in the...

Are pesticides lurking in your Valentine’s Day roses?

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you may be considering gifts to buy for your loved ones. Flowers – often red roses – are amongst the top five most...

Is your log burner your Achilles heel?

The government announced its new Environment Improvement Plan this week including updated guidance on emissions of particulate matter from log burning stoves. Earlier guidance of no more than 5g of smoke...

Glyphosate exposure raises oxidative stress levels

Oxidative stress is one of the indicators of carcinogens in the body that can lead to the development of cancer. Animal and in vitro studies have established a connection...

Wild fish in the US contaminated with PFAS

Freshwater fish was discovered in a new study to contain levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that by eating even a single portion, could create a toxic burden of...

How do children manage exposure to environmental pollutants?

Infants and children are at risk of exposure to the same levels of environmental pollutants as their parents. They are especially susceptible to these pollutants because their body organs including...

PFAS linked with suppression of the immune system

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widely thought to be carcinogenic. Carcinogens act on the body by attacking the immune system and inflaming body tissue which can lead...

Early onset cancer rates

Since 1990 deaths from cancer have been rising in people under the age of 50 in many countries across the world. Rises have been recorded in a wide range of...

Glyphosate linked to breast cancer

Glyphosate exposure has been linked with adverse changes in breast cell tissue that can disrupt normal cell mechanisms and lead to the development of 'hormone sensitive' breast cancer. This type of breast...

What is good health?

It can be quite easy to assume that people we come into regular contact with are completely healthy individuals because they "look well" - unless you have a debilitating disease...

What is Particulate Matter?

The term PM is used to describe the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. It is measured in micrometres - smaller particles are known as fine...

Air pollution exposures linked to mutations in lung cells

Exposure to air contaminated by pollution has been linked to changes in lung tissue which can increase the risk of lung cancer. Air pollution can be measured by the...

What’s the ‘WHY’ behind lastinghealth.com?

We'd like to introduce you to Bob Woods MBE, Founder and Senior Advisor at Mattioli Woods. Bob is the inspiration behind lastingheath.com - he is committed to bringing the impact...

Glyphosate detected in the urine of 99% of pregnant US women

Glyphosate has been detected in 99% of urine samples of 187 pregnant women tested during their first trimester in a study based in Indiana, US. High levels of glyphosate were...

California legislates on use of PFAS

The Governor of California has passed a bill to ban the use of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in some types of clothing by 2025. The ban will make it unlawful to manufacture outdoor...

Can chemicals travel from mother to unborn child?

A young mother recently told us she was doing everything possible to give her children the healthiest diet and environment. She described the careful diet she provided for her children, the home...

Edible cutlery – would you eat your own fork?

Billions of tonnes of plastic cutlery are thrown away every year. Many are manufactured using chemical substances considered to have endocrine disrupting properties, including Bisphenol A which has been associated with...

New water system for Illinois city will remove PFAS

A small town in Illinois is pioneering the way to bring safer water into people's homes by investing in a brand new water system. At a cost of $13m,...

Can ‘Forever Chemicals’ be broken down?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a widely used chemical group used in the manufacturing process of everyday items such as non-stick pans, plastics, water and stain resistant clothing, and...

What are Per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)?

Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances, PFAS, are a large group of 9,000+ chemical substances which have a carbon-fluorine bond that is extremely hard to break. Because they persist for a long...

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) linked to liver cancer

In the first ever human population based study a connection has been made between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a later diagnosis of liver cancer. Samples...

Have PFAS exceeded planetary boundaries?

A new study just published by researchers at Stockholm University, Sweden has examined data to determine whether so-called planetary boundaries levels of PFAS have been exceeded. Researchers compared levels...

80% of us might have glyphosate in our bodies – how does that make you feel?

An American health study carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that 80% of urine samples collected had detectable levels of glyphosate. Samples were analysed from...

Glyphosate – an everyday herbicide that divides opinion

Glyphosate is a herbicide used to control weeds in a wide variety of settings ranging from farming to domestic gardens. Opinion is divided about how safe it is to...

Indoor Air Quality study at the University of Leicester

In the UK more than 8 million people suffer with symptoms of asthma, higher than all other lung related health conditions combined. It affects all ages, and even though many...

PFAS linked to hypertension in new study of mid-life women

PFAS might be a factor contributing to cardiovascular disease risk in mid-life women a new study published on 13 June 2022 finds. In this extensive study more than 1000 women underwent...

Endocrine disrupting chemical risk to sperm health

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) presents a risk to the quality of human sperm. A new study has just been published by researchers in Denmark to investigate the impact...

Can exercise reduce the effects of phthalates during pregnancy?

Master student Eva Poling at the University of Wyoming, USA has revealed some interesting findings in her study of mice exposed to Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP) during pregnancy. Her...

What are phthalates?

In our EDC Insights report on phthalates we explain more about this vast group of chemical substances and how they can disrupt our endocrine and hormonal systems, creating a serious...

European Commission takes the global lead on chemical restriction

This week the EC revealed an ambitious plan to further restrict the use of harmful chemicals in Europe. The Restrictions Roadmap published on Monday sets out a plan to...

NEW – Insight Reports to endocrine disrupting chemicals

We've created our new EDC Insight Reports to use as guides into key groups of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and to help you discover more about how everyday chemicals may be...

Is Bisphenol a risk to male fertility?

Bisphenol is identified by the European Chemicals Agency as an endocrine disrupting chemical because it can mimic the actions of hormones in the body, especially the reproductive system. Latest...

Can we learn about EDCs from animal studies?

Scientific experiments involving animals have long been surrounded by controversy, but they can be a sentinel to identify human risk. In a new study using non-invasive test methods, researchers have provided some...

EDCs increase the risk of delayed speech development

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have long been associated with a wide range of health risks, but new research has identified a link between exposure to EDC mixtures and delayed neurodevelopmental...

Microplastics detected in blood samples

This week it was reported that up to three types of microplastics can be detected in human blood samples. This is the first time that microplastics have been found in...

The Ideal Food Plan by Breakspear Medical

With so many opinions about what constitutes the ideal diet, it’s no wonder that we might still feel a little confused. So we'd like to share a healthy eating food plan...

What’s the State of the Science for EDCs?

In 2012 the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme published 'The State of the Science, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals'. This ground breaking report informed decision makers and health...

What’s lurking in your favourite fragrance?

Research published last week examined ingredients in popular fragrances sold in Belgium. The study was commissioned by Belgium’s Fight against cancer, Dutch ‘Erase all Toxins’, and the Danish Consumer Association. ...

Can chemicals cause obesity?

Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim reported their study last week to identify whether a relationship can be established between plastics containing potent mixtures of chemicals...

Endocrine disrupting chemicals as a risk factor in pregnancy

A team based in Chongqing, China have carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations between exposure to EDCs during pregnancy and thyroid hormones in newborns. This area of study...

Are we at break point on chemicals?

Last week a new study published in the American Society of Chemicals explored the impacts of climate change, and reviews how well we can manage the consequences of our global reliance...

Impacts of maternal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals

Could exposure to phthalates during pregnancy increase the risk of premature birth? A study published last week which carried out a systematic review of prior studies may hold some of the answers. ...

Products designed to keep you safe might be causing more harm than good

In our second update of 2022 we feature news about everyday consumer products that featured in the headlines this week. How safe is vaping? With 1.3 billion...

Microplastics Insight Report

We're all too familiar with the risk that air pollution poses to our health from inhaling air polluted by vehicles and industrial manufacturing processes. With the first death recorded with...

EDCs and pregnancy health risks

Can microplastics pass across the placenta? A new Dutch study has reported that microplastics have the potential to pass from mother to unborn child across the placenta. In laboratory based...

Are ECCs present in ultrasound gels a health risk?

Ultrasound tests during pregnancy are routine for most pregnant women, so it comes as quite a shock to discover that the gel used to lubricate skin during the procedure might...

“Forever chemicals” in our air

We spend a lot of time indoors, so it’s quite worrying to discover that the quality of our air is affected by so-called “forever chemicals”. They have been shown to...

Viral load and body burden

What is viral load? The term viral load emerged into the public consciousness during the past year when health scientists and academics stepped forward to help us all to understand...

How does the immune system work?

During the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated not only how important our immune system is in fighting infection, but also the need to understand our own immune health...

Is there a link between air pollution levels and COVID-19?

We invited Professor Anna Hansell to share her thoughts on the important questions surrounding the relationship between air pollution levels and disease outcomes of the coronavirus, COVID-19. Anna is a Professor...

Can dioxins contribute to the toxic load of children?

A study published in March 2020 has been looking at the levels of chemicals with potentially toxic properties present in children’s toys and other consumer products, collectively known as dioxins....

Can we boost our immune system?

During this difficult time when many of us are thinking more about our health, one question seems to bubble up to the surface time and time again - how can...

How does our immune system work?

Every day our bodies have the difficult task of selecting what has to be rejected as foreign material to prevent illnesses, including viral illnesses such as COVID-19. This sorting process...

How can vitamins support a healthy respiratory tract?

During the coming weeks we will be sharing expert information about some of the things we can all do to look after our general health. To begin, we invited medical expert...

Air pollution reduces life expectancies

This week also brought a new study published in European Society of Cardiology which looked at long term effects of exposure to air pollution on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study...

Indoor Air Quality and Children’s Health – Part two

A study of Indoor Air Quality and Children’s Health In our last post we discussed a new study published in January 2020, The Inside Story. It was a systemic review...

Indoor Air Quality and Children’s Health

A new study published in January 2020, The Inside Story, was a collaboration between The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and The Royal College of Physicians. The...

What Ella’s mum is doing to prevent further deaths from air pollution

Ella Kissi-Debrah died in 2013 age nine years old following a series of severe asthma attacks. Her death has been linked to air pollution levels near her home and school,...

Are you ready to switch your shampoo?

Welcome to January, the month where many of us will make New Year’s resolutions about our health and well-being. And where 'Dry January' and eating plant-based for the month -...

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in the health news

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and increased risk of breast cancer A new study in the US has found a strong link between use of hair dye and chemical straighteners and breast...

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in the health news

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and increased risk of breast cancer A new study in the US has found a strong link between use of hair dye and chemical straighteners and breast...

Air pollution in the scientific news

Proof that air pollution can age the brain New research published in the Journal of Neurology in November 2019 has found a connection between exposure to air pollution and increased...

Is plastic affecting our health?

It’s thought that we could be breathing in as many as 20,000 microplastic particles each year and ingesting up to 2000 pieces of microplastic every week. 40% of all plastic...

Can air pollution affect us whilst we’re at work?

We spend up to 90% of our time indoors so it makes sense that we might be exposed to airborne pollution at some point. Focus in the media is centred...

Can air pollution affect us whilst we’re at work?

We spend up to 90% of our time indoors so it makes sense that we might be exposed to airborne pollution at some point. Focus in the media is centred...

Bob Woods MBE, lastinghealth Sponsor

Bob’s journey began when he went looking for answers to positively address his own health issues, including chronic asthma. Drawing on expertise from environmental health. Drawing on expertise from...

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