Articles by Ketura Persellin

Soothe dry skin this winter with safer balms and salves

One of the effects of colder temperatures is that everything dries out, including our skin. Balms and salves to the rescue.

7 ways to detox your home (and keep it clean) year ‘round

If you’ve ever thought about making changes in your household routine to lower your exposure to toxic chemicals, you may be put off by how daunting it seems.

Surprise! Some of your favorite foods may contain artificial sweetener

You’ve probably heard some of the concerns being raised lately about artificial sweeteners. Maybe you’ve even sworn off diet products as a result.

Holiday shopping, handled: The best (and cleanest) pampering gifts for everyone on your shopping list

It can be tough during the holiday season to find small gifts that aren’t either filled with toxic chemicals, made entirely of sugar or packaged in tons of wasteful plastic – or some combination of...

Study: Consumption of ultra-processed foods may cause harmful ‘food addiction’

If you have trouble stopping with just one potato chip or slice of frozen pizza once you get started, you’re not alone. Fourteen percent of adults and 12 percent of kids show characteristics of “food...

What you can do about the environmental risk factors that can lead to breast cancer

Cancer affects all communities. And breast cancer can occur in people of all genders

Pumpkin spice surprise – the toxic chemicals lurking in ‘fragrance’

Background Starbucks introduced its autumn drink Pumpkin Spice Latte a few days earlier this year than last. Once that happens, we know we’re in peak pumpkin spice season. That coffee drink’s success...

New study finds possible link between ultra-processed foods and depression

Here’s one more reason to cut back on highly processed foods, especially those containing artificial sweeteners : They’re associated with a higher risk of depression, a new study finds. The paper,...

What are VOCs?

If you’ve ever inexplicably felt sick around a new mattress or curtains, using air freshener, or visiting a nail salon, it could be you’re affected by chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or...

Mattress chemicals you could be sleeping on

On average, Americans spend almost nine hours a day sleeping – a huge amount of time. When you also factor in time just relaxing in bed, maybe reading or scrolling on a phone, it adds up to a...

Beware of the chemical BVO in fruit-flavored drinks

Carbonated orange drinks and fruit-flavored energy drinks contain an ingredient that isn’t in your morning OJ: brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, a chemical that can harm the nervous system.

What is fragrance?

Glance at the label of nearly any personal care or cleaning product, and chances are it’s scented with one “fragrance” chemical or a combination of them.

California bill to ban food chemicals is a win for environmental justice

A bill before the California Senate that would ban five food chemicals isn’t just a matter of public health.

Advocacy groups call on the FDA to address radiation exposures from electronic products

The Food and Drug Administration is failing its duty to protect the public from unnecessary exposure to harmful radiation from smartphones and other electronic products, says an advocacy group...

This Memorial Day, fire up the grill to get a taste of summer, not toxic chemicals

The sizzle of the grill – that’s the sound of summer getting underway. This Memorial Day, plan a better barbecue to avoid a side of toxic chemicals.

Cancer risks and prevention

Cancer affects all communities, some disproportionately more than others. That’s why it’s vital to learn as much as possible about how to decrease cancer risk.

Popular sweetener erythritol, found in Truvia, linked to heart risk, new study says

A new study finds a link between erythritol – a common artificial sweetener also used as a filler in stevia and monk fruit sweeteners and some keto products – and risk of harm to the heart and blood...

This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of fragrance – without the danger of toxic chemicals

“Clean” beauty in 2023 is one of the fastest growing categories in the personal care space, so you may want to give – or hope to get – clean fragrance this Valentine’s Day.

How ‘multitasking’ preservatives might help to make cosmetics safer

The lack of preservation in cosmetics has a notorious history – in just one instance, four women were almost permanently blinded in 1977 because the chemicals failed to keep their mascara clean and...

New baby textile product tests show concerning levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’

You may have noticed an uptick in media reports detailing new discoveries in various consumer products of the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. They’re highly toxic and pervasive – and found in...