Phil Brown

Phil Brown in the Press

Map Shows Thousands More Areas Where Groundwater Could Be Contaminated

Features research on PFAS chemicals by Phil Brown.

Study Finds Increased Miscarriage Risk After Exposure to This Chemical

“We already know that PFAS are associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, reproductive toxicity, preeclampsia, decreased fertility, and single occurrence of miscarriage,” Phil Brown, a professor of sociology and health sciences and the director of the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University, told Newsweek.

Undark

Amid PFAS Fallout, Maine Residents Navigate Medical Risks

Phil Brown, a Northeastern University sociology professor and a co-director of the PFAS Project Lab, said the medical community “doesn’t know a lot about occupational and environmental health,” adding that “it’s a very minimal part of the medical school curriculum” and continuing education.

Your Smartwatch Could Carry a Hidden Health Risk

In the U.S. only Michigan has a maximum contaminant level for PFHxA, specific to drinking water contamination, while several other states “have advisory or notification levels, or cleanup levels in groundwater, soil or fish tissue,” Phil Brown, the director of the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University, told Newsweek.

Map Shows States Where Carcinogens Detected in Drinking Water Sources

There are many sources of human PFAS exposure, including through “manufacturing, wastewater treatment, sludge application to land, firefighting foam, building products, personal care products, and dietary sources,” Phil Brown, the director of the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University, told Newsweek.

What to Know About the EPA Limits on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water and Your Health

“It is really one of the broadest categories of chemical ever used, so that does make it very exceptional,” said Phil Brown, an environmental sociologist at Northeastern University in Boston who has studied the chemicals.

The 19th

A train derailment spilled toxic chemicals in her Ohio town.

Phil Brown, a professor of sociology and health sciences at Northeastern University who has written books on toxic waste activism, said women, and mothers in particular, have consistently organized locally after incidents like the Ohio train derailment.

Lots of Tap Water Contains ‘Forever Chemicals.’ Take These Steps to Reduce Your Risk.

Carpets that contain PFAS are likely continually shedding the chemicals, says Phil Brown, director of the social science environmental health research institute at Northeastern University. It’s unclear whether such shedding goes down or up over time or is reduced when washed or steam-cleaned, scientists say.

What to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals’ and Your Health

US to limit PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

“Wherever you test for it, you find it,” said Phil Brown, a co-director of the PFAS Project Lab at Northeastern University.

A glass of water depicted from above and against a white backdrop.

Sites contaminated by toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are much more widespread than previously thought, researchers find

Northeastern researchers have mapped a more complete picture of PFAS contamination, revealing stark patterns.

Are returning wildfire victims facing a hidden toxic threat? Northeastern health expert weighs in

“Every kind of toxic you can imagine is there and in a more concentrated form,” says Phil Brown, Northeastern environmental health expert.

RFK Jr directs CDC to stop recommending use of fluoride in water. What would that mean for our health?

Excess fluoride poses some risks, but RFK Jr's day one priority for the Trump administration would cause more harm than good, experts say.

Brown water coming out of a faucet into a white sink.

Drinking water in communities of color is more likely to be contaminated by ‘forever chemicals,’ research finds

From 2019 to 2021, PFAS were detected in 63% of New Jersey water systems, but people of color had higher contamination.

Report says Band-Aids contain PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals.’ Many small exposures can add up to a big exposure, environmental expert warns

Northeastern professor Phil Brown explains how bandages can contain PFAS and why putting them on a cut may be hazardous.

U.S. House passes legislation to regulate the ‘forever chemicals’ in your food, water, and air

A bill to establish federal regulations for a group of harmful chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday with bipartisan support. Phil Brown, director of Northeastern’s Social Science Environmental Health Institute, discusses the dangers these chemicals pose, and the challenges of regulating them.

Researchers receive $13.2 million to continue study of health challenges facing women, children in Puerto Rico

For the past 10 years, Northeastern-led research teams have been studying how the environment affects the health and development of mothers, infants, and children living on the island of Puerto Rico. Now, the researchers have received a $13.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue their study of the effects of environmental contaminants on the well-being of people in the region.

Scholars’ ‘flash talks’ explore resilience, from health to media innovation

More than a dozen faculty members, doctoral students, and visiting scholars gave lighting-fast overviews of their community resilience research on Monday afternoon as part of a TED-style event hosted by Northeastern’s Global Resilience Institute. Here, we share some highlights.

Study: Toxic chemicals found in drinking water of 15M Americans

The research, led by Northeastern and the Environmental Working Group, pointed to EPA testing that found toxic chemicals PFASs were detected in 162 U.S. drinking water systems. The researchers created an interactive map that tracks contamination from these chemicals.

Powerful stories, music at Northeastern Holocaust Commemoration

Professor Phil Brown and Gideon Klein Scholar Elijah Botkin shared stories about Jewish history and led moving musical performances on Thursday at the annual event held during Holocaust Awareness Week at Northeastern.

Schools in India don’t teach soft skills. This entrepreneur does

Are energy drinks the new cigarettes? England thinks so

Looking for an environmentally friendly drinking straw? The answer may surprise you

China’s ‘super embassy’ proposal in London sparks spying fears