A target level of 20 micrograms of phosphorus per litre of lake water could help keep many lakes safe for recreation by restricting the growth of harmful algal blooms, European research suggests. The scientists analysed the relationship between phosphorus levels in medium- and high-alkalinity lakes, the growth of cyanobacteria blooms and the concentrations of cyanobacteria that trigger World Health Organization (WHO) warnings.

Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide important habitats for the yelkouan shearwater, a species of conservation concern, new research concludes. The study examined the behaviour of the birds at sea and found that they used MPAs extensively as foraging grounds.

Constructed wetlands can remove disease-causing bacteria from wastewater, but their performance is highly dependent on the systems they use, a new study shows. Researchers reviewed results from a wide range of studies on constructed wetlands and found that combining different approaches increased removal of bacteria. However, further research and improvement of wetland systems is required to produce water that is safe for reuse.

The Aarogya Setu app, which was developed by the government to track those with the disease and alert people about their proximity, has given rise to fears of surveillance by the state as well as the security of the personal data that a user needs to fill in after downloading it.

Most species in an ecosystem could help supply essential ecosystem services, according to a recent study. The researchers found that 84% of species in the grassland ecosystems they studied contributed towards at least one ecosystem service. Losing any of these species would therefore degrade the ecosystem services such an environment could provide.

Drainage tunnels running under roads can provide small animals with safe road crossings, mitigating habitat fragmentation, a new study has confirmed. The researchers suggest that the tunnel design can be further improved to aid animal movements, for example, by providing dry ledges to ensure the routes are still available in times of high rainfall.

A new study shows how titanium dioxide nanoparticles used in sunscreens may cause cancer in mice. Although there is no proof that the nanoparticles can cause cancer in humans, the researchers say the study raises concerns about the safety of workers exposed to high concentrations of the nanoparticles in factory settings.

EU pesticide regulations have encouraged farmers in developing countries to adopt alternative pest management practices and employ safer means of handling pesticides, according to a recent study which investigated green bean farming in Kenya.

A recent report calls for an urgent, worldwide ban on the mining and use of asbestos. It argues that there is no safe use of asbestos that can prevent occupational and environmental exposure and urges all countries to use safer alternatives to asbestos in order to protect the health of their citizens.

The potential effects of nanotechnologies on health are considered in a report by the European Academies Science Advisory Council and European Commission Joint Research Center. The report makes recommendations to help scientists and policymakers coordinate their efforts in maximising the benefits – and minimising any negative health effects – of rapidly developing nanotechnologies, across a wide range of applications.

Mercury contamination of some wild fish species in areas of the Czech Republic may put anglers’ health at risk, a new study suggests. The research showed that EU-wide and Czech national regulatory limits for mercury were exceeded in at least one analysed sample at 63% of the sites surveyed. However, contamination levels varied substantially between locations and species, the researchers say.

Judging whether to replace a hazardous conventional chemical in a product with a nanomaterial — i.e. to assess which is the safer alternative — is challenging for many reasons. A new study suggests that chemical-alternative assessment frameworks could be adapted to better assess engineered nanomaterials with the help of new tools which provide data on hazards of, and exposure to, nanomaterials.

PFASs — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a family of chemicals used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Due to concerns about their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity, long-chain PFASs are increasingly being phased out, creating a growing market for alternatives. Researchers have developed a novel method, based on molecular simulation techniques, to estimate the rate at which novel PFASs interact and bind with particular proteins (‘binding affinity’) — an important factor in determining a substance’s bioaccumulation potential in organisms. The method indicates that replacement PFASs may be just as bioaccumulative as original (legacy) PFASs and are, therefore, not necessarily safer. If correct, this finding has significant policy implications.

A new study has raised safety concerns over PFO4DA, a substance increasingly used as a substitute for PFOA, a harmful persistent organic pollutant (POP), in plastic production. PFO4DA was found to cause liver damage to mice in lab tests, and is also an environmental pollutant. The researchers caution that it may not be a suitable alternative to PFOA.

A recent analysis suggests climate change policies may have to include a 'pollution safety margin' which accounts for the warming impact of many air pollutants. Available evidence suggests that policies to reduce the harmful effects of air pollutants could accelerate climate change over coming decades by cutting emissions that currently contribute to cooling the climate.

Mercury levels in bream (Abramis brama) collected from six European sampling sites from 2007 to 2013 exceeded the Water Framework Directive’s safety limit for fish in all but one site in 2012, a new study discovers. The findings suggest greater efforts need to be made to prevent mercury pollution.

Engineering at the nanoscale brings the promise of radical technological development — clean energy, highly effective medicines and space travel. But technology at this scale also brings safety challenges. Nano-sized particles are not inherently more toxic than larger particles, but the effects are complex and vary based on particle properties as well as chemical toxicity. This Report brings together the latest science on environmental safety considerations specific to manufactured nanoscale materials, and some possible implications for policy and research.

A co-ordinated medical intervention that saw a distressed Jessica Marais rushed to a Sydney hospital by ambulance last weekend raises an important question: what can be done when repeat rehab fails?

SUFFOLK– As Tropical Storm Michael approaches, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District stands ready to respond to...

ENVIRONMENT Secretary, George Eustice, says fast-food restaurants like KFC, McDonald's and Burger King can re-open for deliveries and take-aways, but stressed the need for safety and social distancing.

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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺  Long-term repair work is underway to rebuild state-maintained roads that sustained severe damage during Tropical Storm...

South Chesterfield, Va. — A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project began this week to widen Cedar Level Road between Cobblestone...

Watford legend John Barnes has urged restraint for the return of the Premier League and said footballers should only return to work when the rest of society does.

The engineering mentality based around cars vs. the needs of kids, cyclists and seniors isn't safe for pedestrians. Here are 11 ways to make streets safer.

Women who have had heart attacks want more information than they're currently getting from their cardiologists in order to move on with their lives.

Food and Water Watch parodies “Portlandia’s” awesome chicken sketch to make a point about factory farming inspections and urges consumers to take action.

What you need to know to choose the best infant formula for your baby.

Water immersion may be OK for labor, but not for delivery, says panel of pediatricians and OBGYNS.

Secondhand items are great for your baby and the planet, but only if they're safe.

Herbals and natural food alternatives may offer you a chance to skip the pills next time you're sick.

The supplement melatonin, which has been shown to help ease jet lag, is generally safe for short-term use, but long-term use hasn't been studied enough.

The Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf earn top safety honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Next-gen nuclear plants could provide carbon-free energy, but the painfully slow process of approving better, safer reactors — not to mention real anxiety ove

The Coast Guard is investigating a proposal to ship hydraulic fracturing 'fracking' wastewater on the Ohio River.

This surprising discovery won't be enough to stop climate change, but it will help, researchers say.

As the Senate votes to give the FDA more power, read what those in the know are saying about it.

If you’re buying ice for your summer parties, we’ve got some tips to make sure there’s nothing but water in that ice.

Whether you're planning to camp or just go for a simple hike, here are 10 things you need before you hit the trail.

Horror movies scare us, and that may be a good thing for our overall mental health.

Despite warnings to keep detergent pods away from children, poison control centers are still besieged with calls.

After two days of being glued to the news watching the miners emerge, it’s time to celebrate.

A scathing report on the April 2010 mine disaster that killed 29 miners at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia is set to be released.

You might remember the former U.S. senator from Idaho as the anti-gay politician who was arrested for lewd conduct in an airport bathroom. He's back in Washingt

Radium, a naturally-occurring radioactive element that's also a known carcinogen, can be found in water systems across the U.S.

Shuttle Endeavour touched down safely at the Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday morning, completing its final mission to space.

EPAcoal.org launches a Twitter campaign to send a strong message of support to the EPA for regulating toxic coal sludge so it doesn't enter the water supply.

New smart vents can be open and closed with your phone, but there could be consequences.

You can still enjoy seafood, but make sure you buy sustainable, low-mercury options.

Shocking lab results have convinced me to buy my tea elsewhere.