Silent Spring Institute

06/01/2026

Thank you to Brown University School of Public Health for inviting Silent Spring Institute to share our work on report-back and community-engaged environmental health research.

This is an important time to support the next generation of environmental health investigators. Opportunities to come together in person to listen, learn, share ideas, and build collaborations are more valuable than ever.

For those interested in learning more about DERBI (Digital Exposure Report-Back Interface), Silent Spring’s platform for returning personal environmental exposure results to study participants, visit: silentspring.org/DERBI

05/29/2026

In a recent study, scientists at the University of Western Australia found that people who adopted a “low plastic diet” were able to reduce levels of harmful plastic chemicals in their bodies by as much as 60 percent.

These findings build on earlier research by Silent Spring Institute, which showed similar results.

Together, these studies show that simple changes to the foods we eat and the products we use can meaningfully reduce our exposure to plastics.

At the same time, this research underscores the need for broader systematic change, including policies to limit plastic use and safer product formulations.

To learn more about plastic-related policies and see what’s happening in your state, visit saferstates.org. Check out our original study here: https://silentspring.org/news/fresh-food-diet-reduces-levels-hormone-disruptors-bpa-and-dehp

05/27/2026

💐Rachel Carson was a pioneering marine biologist, writer, and environmental advocate whose work transformed how the public understands the relationship between human health and the environment.

🥀In 1963, while testifying to the Senate on the dangers of pesticide spraying, she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Just one year later, at the age of 56, she passed away from the disease–two years after publishing her seminal book, Silent Spring.

🌻Today, she is recognized as a courageous communicator who asserted that people have the right to know the hazards from advancements in technology. She pushed the government in the United States to protect Americans from contaminants that could make them sick. On her birthday, we celebrate her life and the immense legacy she left behind.

05/21/2026

☀️ Tip of the Day: Protect young skin naturally!

For babies and young children, choose shade, sun hats, and tightly woven clothing as the first line of defense against harmful UV rays. If sunscreen is needed, opt for a non-nano mineral-based lotion and avoid sprays or harsh chemical UV filters. 🌿👶

Looking for more simple tips for healthier living? Download Silent Spring's Detox Me app for daily guidance and smarter choices! 💚

05/19/2026

Bruce Lanphear reminds us that scientists don't just generate evidence, they also shape how evidence is understood, debated, delayed, regulated, or ignored.

He argues that the same pattern we saw with smoking and lung cancer has repeated itself with asbestos, air pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and climate change: "Evidence strengthens while scientific language remains tentative long after the broader conclusion is already clear."

Industry knows this and has spent decades weaponizing scientific caution against science itself.

"We can communicate more clearly without sacrificing honesty... sometimes, after decades of evidence, we should simply say: this exposure causes harm. Not because science is infallible, but because endless hesitation carries its own risks."

When scientific humility becomes public confusion

05/18/2026

Today at 3pm! Featuring Silent Spring's Dr. Robin Dodson and our colleagues at Environmental Defense Fund and National Center for Healthy Housing.

WEBINAR ALERT—REGISTER TODAY for "Why the Toxic Substances Control Act Matters for Healthy Housing." The webinar will occur on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET. This webinar is hosted by Environmental Defense Fund, Silent Spring Institute, and the National Safe and Healthy Housing Coalition.

Register here: bit.ly/NSHHCreg2605

A description of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in one sentence: The Toxic Substances Control Act is the federal law that gives EPA the authority to evaluate and regulate harmful chemicals before and after they show up in everyday products, buildings, and environments.

TSCA is the nation’s primary law for regulating industrial chemicals—and it plays a critical but often overlooked role in protecting health in the places where people live, learn, work, and play. Today, TSCA faces significant threats that could weaken EPA’s ability to act on dangerous chemicals, even when risks are well documented.

Join us for a timely webinar exploring what TSCA does, what’s at stake in current policy debates, and why this law matters for healthy housing and prevention focused work. While TSCA isn’t traditionally part of housing conversations, it helps determine which chemicals are allowed in building materials, consumer products, furnishings, and cleaning supplies—shaping indoor environments and exposure risks long before hazards show up in homes.

This session will help housing professionals understand how federal chemical policy connects to on-the-ground housing health, and why defending TSCA is essential to protecting residents, workers, and communities. The webinar will also include a call for impacted voices and highlight concrete opportunities for housing professionals and advocates to engage in additional efforts to protect strong chemical safeguards.

05/08/2026

Join us at Eco Fest, Watertown’s annual sustainable resource fair, this Saturday, May 9 from 11am–2pm at the Commander’s Mansion (440 Talcott Ave)! 🌿

Silent Spring Institute will be there sharing resources on environmental health — from creating healthier homes to safeguarding our drinking water. Stop by our table to learn more, ask questions, and connect with us alongside other local sustainability organizations.

Eco Fest is a free, family-friendly event featuring a vendor tent, clothing swap, e-bike test rides, kids’ activities, an EV showcase, and more. We hope to see you there!

Learn more: https://www.watertownecofest.com/

05/05/2026

There is one month left to register for the Summer Institute!

Our incredible scientific staff has a lot in store for students who want to learn key topics in Environmental Health Science.

Program Details:
📆 July 6-10, 2026 (virtually)
💡 Free and open to high school students
⌛ Registration closes June 5th

🔗 Register here: http://silentspring.org/summer

05/01/2026

Join us virtually for an important conversation on beauty justice during our Science Café on Wednesday, May 13th from 12-1pm ET.

We will discuss research on toxic chemicals in hair extensions and what it reveals about the inequity of everyday beauty.

Featuring:
🔬 Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, Professor of Environmental Reproductive Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
🔬 Dr. Elissia Franklin, Research Scientist, Analytical Chemistry and Exposure Science, Silent Spring Institute

Save your spot today by registering here: https://silentspring.org/event/science-cafe-secret-chemistry-hair-extensions

04/29/2026

✨Behind the Scenes at Silent Spring: Meet Research Scientist, Elissia Franklin, PhD✨

Elissia is dedicated to advancing environmental health and beauty justice. Her work focuses on uncovering and addressing chemical exposure injustices experienced by Black women.

Elissia actively engages in creating digital communities, promoting STEM careers, and translating her scientific knowledge into practical, actionable solutions. Her work amplifies research and solutions addressing health disparities affecting Black families, while elevating underrepresented voices in science.

Elissia received a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University.