Pamela Ferdinand

Jan 17, 2025 | childrenshealthdefense.org | Pamela Ferdinand

By Pamela FerdinandGlyphosate, a synthetic herbicide best known as the active ingredient in Roundup, has significantly harmed the health of babies in rural U.S. communities over the last two decades — especially those already at risk of poor birth outcomes, new research shows. Spurred by the introduction of genetically modified seeds by Monsanto in 1996, the use of glyphosate nationwide has increased by more than 750%.

Jan 16, 2025 | usrtk.org | Pamela Ferdinand

Low birth weight is strongly linked to long-term health problems. Photo by Christian Bowen on Unsplash. Glyphosate, a synthetic herbicide best known as the active ingredient in Roundup®, has significantly harmed the health of babies in rural U.S. communities over the last two decades—especially those already at risk of poor birth outcomes, new research shows.

Jan 14, 2025 | childrenshealthdefense.org | Pamela Ferdinand

By Pamela FerdinandExposure to outdoor air pollution in the month before birth dramatically increases the odds of newborns being admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in the U.S., new research suggests. Researchers found higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter  (PM2.5) increase the likelihood of NICU admissions nationwide by 30-35% and 11-22%, respectively, according to a population-based study of 3.6 million single babies published Jan.

Jan 14, 2025 | usrtk.org | Pamela Ferdinand

Exposure to outdoor air pollution in the month before birth dramatically increases the odds of newborns being admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in the U.S., new research suggests.  Researchers found higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increase the likelihood of NICU admissions nationwide by 30–35% and 11–22%, respectively, according to a population-based study of 3.6 million single babies published Jan. 2 in Scientific Reports.

Jan 13, 2025 | usrtk.org | Pamela Ferdinand

Recent research indicates that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a common product in plastic products, during pregnancy disrupts uterine development in mice—triggering preeclampsia, a serious and life-threatening condition. Preeclampsia (PE) involves dangerously high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. It accounts for approximately 15% of all premature deliveries in the U.S. and is one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide.