With the rise in cancer diagnoses, it’s high time we pay attention to what we consume daily, including food and water. Could your drinking water be a source of exposure to carcinogenic metals? A recent study conducted in Texas found that even low levels of arsenic in water, below the regulatory threshold of 10 parts per billion, could pose health risks, including an increased risk of kidney cancer.
In the latest study, researchers from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health investigated the link between arsenic levels in drinking water and kidney cancer rates across 240 Texas counties. Arsenic is naturally present in groundwater in Texas and other regions.
Kidney cancer is the seventh most common cancer in the U.S. It has an age-adjusted incidence rate of 17.2 per 100,000 people from 2017 to 2021. Several factors can increase the risk, including being male, African American, or having a family history of the disease. In addition, lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, and obesity, along with health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and advanced kidney disease, can elevate the risk. Studies also show that exposure to certain chemicals, such as trichloroethylene, may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer
The latest study results suggest a dose-response relationship between arsenic in drinking water and kidney cancer, with cancer risk increasing by 4% with each doubling of arsenic levels. The researchers also noted that moderate levels (1–5 ppb) and high levels (>5 ppb) of arsenic exposure raised cancer risk by 6% and 22%, respectively.
“Some public water systems are poorly managed and could expose customers to arsenic, but the 40 million people in the United States who rely on private wells are particularly vulnerable,” said Taehyun Roh, from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics who was involved in the study.
“This [study] suggests that even low-level arsenic exposure in drinking water may be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer, which aligns with previous research indicating an association between this exposure and lung, bladder, and skin cancers,” Roh said.
The researchers caution that the study establishes associations between factors but does not prove causality. They emphasize the need for future studies to assess the effects of factors such as lifestyle, family history of kidney cancer, and other potential sources of arsenic exposure. However, based on the findings, researchers call for stricter regulation and targeted public health interventions.
“Our findings indicate that reducing arsenic exposure could reduce the incidence of kidney cancer, and this could be achieved through efforts such as enhanced regulatory oversight and targeted public health interventions,” Nishat Tasnim Hasan, a researcher involved said.
Severe menstrual cramps can affect a woman’s mood and her mental well-being. However, a new study reveals a surprising twist: depression may actually trigger severe period pain, with sleep deprivation worsening its severity.
Dysmenorrhea, or severe period pain, affects around 15% of women and typically occurs just before menstruation, and subsides after a few days. If the menstrual cramps occur without any underlying condition, it is called primary dysmenorrhea. This type of period pain is often caused by high levels of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that increase uterine contractions. Secondary dysmenorrhea, however, is caused by medical conditions like endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
In the latest study published in Briefings in Bioinformatics, researchers discovered that depression significantly impacts primary dysmenorrhea after evaluating around 600,000 cases from European populations and 8,000 from East Asian populations, finding a strong link in both groups. The researchers also conducted a genome-wide association study and identified key genes and proteins involved in this interaction.
“Our findings provide preliminary evidence that depression may be a cause, rather than a consequence, of dysmenorrhea as we did not find evidence that period pain increased the risk of depression,” said lead author Shuhe Liu from China’s Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University.
Another interesting observation was that sleeplessness, commonly experienced by those with depression, played a key role in connecting depression and dysmenorrhea.
“We found that increased sleep disturbances could exacerbate menstrual pain. Addressing sleep issues may therefore be crucial in managing both conditions,” Liu said.
However, larger studies and biological experiments are needed to fully understand the causal association between menstrual pain and depression. Meanwhile, based on the current findings, the researchers are calling for improved mental health screening for individuals suffering from dysmenorrhea. Liu explained that this could lead to more personalized treatment options, reduced stigma, and better healthcare for those affected.
“Depression and menstrual pain significantly impact women’s lives across the world, yet their connection remains poorly understood. Our collective goal is to critically investigate these issues and improve care for women by uncovering these complex connections and finding better ways to address them,” lead author Dr. John Moraros, from the Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China told CNN.
For millions of people struggling with asthma or COPD, a higher dose of an existing antibody injection could be a total game changer, a recent trial results reveal.
According to the study conducted by a research team from the University of Oxford and Kings College London, a single injection of a monoclonal antibody, benralizumab, could be more effective than standard steroid tablets during asthma or COPD flare-ups.
Flare-ups, or attacks, occur when asthma symptoms suddenly worsen, causing shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, coughing, and wheezing. Several factors such as respiratory infections, smoke, hot and humid air, or pollen can trigger flare-ups.
Benralizumab is currently used to reduce inflammation in severe asthma by targeting specific white blood cells called eosinophils. Researchers have now found that repurposing the same drug at a higher dosage to manage “eosinophilic exacerbations” could reduce the need for further treatments by 30%.
Eosinophilic exacerbations are a particular type of flare-up caused by elevated eosinophil levels. They constitute 30% of COPD flare-ups and almost 50% of asthma attacks.
“This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD. Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations have not changed in 50 years, despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide a year combined. Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma. We’ve used the drug in a different way – at the point of an exacerbation – to show that it’s more effective than steroid tablets which is the only treatment currently available,” said lead investigator of the trial Professor Mona Bafadhel in a news release.
During the trial, researchers evaluated 158 patients for asthma or COPD symptoms by assessing the severity of their cough, wheezing, breathlessness, and sputum. Participants were divided into three treatment groups: one received a benralizumab injection and dummy tablets, another received the standard of care (30 mg of prednisolone daily for five days) and a dummy injection, and the third group received both a benralizumab injection and the standard of care.
Participants treated with benralizumab showed improved respiratory symptoms, including reduced cough, wheezing, breathlessness, and sputum, after 28 days. Additionally, the benralizumab group had four times fewer people that failed treatment compared to the standard of care with prednisolone.
“Treatment with the benralizumab injection took longer to fail, meaning fewer episodes to see a doctor or go to hospital. There was also an improvement in the quality of life for people with asthma and COPD,” the news release stated.
“Our study shows massive promise for asthma and COPD treatment. COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide but treatment for the condition is stuck in the 20th century. We need to provide these patients with life-saving options before their time runs out,” Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, the first author of the trial said.
Here’s another reason to put that bag of processed snacks aside. Ultra-processed foods, already linked to heart problems and metabolic disorders, may also trigger psoriasis, according to new research.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin, causing inflamed, red, raised patches that often develop into silvery scales, typically on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Ultra-processing involves the use of several additives, salts, oils, preservatives, and other ingredients to the food to improve its shelf life, appearance, and taste. A few examples of ultra-processed food are frozen meals, processed meats, soft drinks, sweetened breakfasts, packaged chips, cakes, pretzels, and cookies.
Earlier studies have shown that frequent consumption of ultra-processed food raises the risk of insomnia, heart disease, cancer, and premature death. It is also linked to elevated risk of obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.
While common known triggers of psoriasis include stress, certain medications, skin injuries, strep infections, smoking, and alcohol use, the latest study explored the connection between ultra-processed food consumption and psoriasis incidence.
To establish the link, a research team led by Dr. Emilie Sbidian, a dermatologist at Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil, France, examined data from over 18,500 individuals in a health database. Among this cohort, 1,825 had psoriasis, with 802 cases considered “active.” The participant’s food intake, particularly the consumption of ultra-processed food items was recorded using questionnaires.
Analysis revealed a significant finding: among those with active psoriasis, 36% were in the highest third of daily ultra-processed food intake when compared to individuals who had never experienced psoriasis. The association remained significant even after adjusting for factors such as age, alcohol intake, body mass index, and other underlying health conditions.
“Results of this study showed an association between high ultra-processed food intake and active psoriasis status,” researchers concluded.
However, the researchers caution that the findings are based on an observational study, which only demonstrates a correlation and cannot establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and psoriasis.
“More large-scale studies are needed to investigate the role of [ultra-processed food] intake in psoriasis onset,” the researchers wrote.
Since the study population consisted of a relatively healthier cohort compared to the general French population, the findings may not be fully representative. Also, another limitation of the study is the potential misclassification of psoriasis, as it relied on self-reported data.
Breaking down barriers in women’s healthcare remains a critical challenge in modern medicine, particularly in underserved communities. While urban centres often have multiple healthcare options, rural areas still need to improve their access to specialized medical care, especially in obstetrics and women’s health.
The Alberta College of Family Physicians recently highlighted achievements in developing sustainable healthcare solutions with their Recognition of Excellence award, emphasizing the importance of effective approaches in bridging these healthcare gaps.
Dr. Stephanie Efua Sobotie, recipient of this recognition, brings unique experience in developing healthcare solutions across diverse settings. From responding to critical needs in Ghana’s Kuntanase Government Hospital, where she established a blood bank after personally donating blood to save a patient’s life, to helping develop the obstetric program in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, her work demonstrates the impact of targeted healthcare initiatives.
Now, as a family physician with a Certificate of Added Competence in obstetric surgical skills at Bow Trail Medical Clinic in Calgary and a clinical lecturer at the Cumming School of Medicine, she continues to address healthcare accessibility challenges. We sat down with Dr. Sobotie to explore what it takes to create compelling healthcare solutions and how connecting rural and urban healthcare experiences can improve medical care delivery.
Image Courtesy of Dr. Stephanie Efua Sobotie
Dr. Sobotie, as the first female physician in your family, what does ‘redefining women’s healthcare’ mean to you?
When I consider redefining women’s healthcare, I envision creating a truly accessible system that addresses unique medical needs that have been historically overlooked. This vision was sparked early in my life when I noticed I could be the first woman physician in my family.
At Bow Trail Medical Clinic in Calgary, we’ve built a women’s clinic that goes beyond primary care to address comprehensive health concerns throughout every life stage. But meaningful change requires reaching underserved communities, too. In Ghana’s Kuntanase Government Hospital, we established a program that successfully reduced maternal mortality rates in the Ashanti region. This work continued in Canada, where we’ve focused on bringing essential services to areas with limited healthcare access.
Redefining healthcare also means preparing future generations of medical professionals. Through my role at the Cumming School of Medicine, I work to ensure that tomorrow’s healthcare providers understand the importance of advocating for women’s health needs and creating sustainable, accessible care systems.
From Ghana to Canada, you’ve seen various challenges in medicine. In your opinion, what obstacles still exist for women in healthcare – both for doctors and patients?
Based on my experience working across different healthcare systems, I’ve observed that access to specialized care remains a significant challenge, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This became evident during my time at Kuntanase Government Hospital, where we faced critical resource limitations – like not having a blood bank, which could have devastating consequences for women requiring emergency care.
There are still barriers for women physicians in specific specialized fields. While I initially wanted to specialize in Trauma and orthopaedic surgery, my journey led me to family medicine, where I could make the most significant impact. However, I obtained additional qualifications, like my Certificate of Added Competence in obstetric surgical skills, to provide comprehensive care, especially in underserved areas.
From my current perspective at the women’s clinic in Calgary, I see how these challenges manifest differently but persist even in well-resourced settings. Mental health support accessibility, for instance, remains a critical issue.
I’ve witnessed firsthand how delays in accessing mental health services can have severe consequences for patients. These experiences have shaped my approach to creating more inclusive and comprehensive healthcare programs that address immediate medical needs and long-term wellness support.
As part of Bow Trail Medical Clinic, you’ve helped establish a specialized women’s health division. What unique healthcare challenges are you aiming to address through this initiative?
Through our women’s clinic in Calgary, we’re addressing several critical needs I’ve identified throughout my career. Working as a primary care physician in rural and urban settings, I’ve seen how crucial it is to provide comprehensive women’s healthcare beyond essential medical services.
Our clinic focuses on providing continuous care throughout a woman’s life journey. Hospital privileges allow me to offer complete obstetric care, including surgical deliveries when necessary. This comprehensive approach is critical given my experience establishing obstetric programs from Ghana to Saskatchewan, where I’ve seen how integrated care can significantly improve outcomes.
Additionally, based on my experience as a family physician with obstetric surgical skills, I recognized the need for specialized services that bridge the gap between primary care and specialized obstetrics. This is especially important as we aim to reduce barriers to accessing quality healthcare. We’re creating a model where women can receive coordinated care, from routine check-ups to more complex procedures, all within a familiar and supportive environment.”
You received the Recognition of Excellence from the Alberta College of Family Physicians for contributing to family medicine. How does this experience help you create a more inclusive healthcare environment?
Recognition of Excellence reinforced my commitment to building inclusive healthcare systems. This recognition reflects our success in implementing comprehensive care approaches that I’ve developed throughout my career. As a Family Practice Assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, I work to ensure high standards of care across diverse medical environments.
This experience, combined with my clinical teaching at the Cumming School of Medicine, helps me promote inclusive practices among the next generation of physicians.
You’ve created sustainable medical solutions in different settings, from establishing a blood bank in Kuntanase Hospital to developing the obstetric program in Kindersley. How do these projects help overcome systemic barriers to healthcare access?
Each project emerged from real, urgent needs I witnessed firsthand. I’ll never forget that critical moment in Kuntanase when I had to donate my blood to save a patient with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. That experience wasn’t just about saving one life – it revealed a systemic gap that needed addressing.
Establishing the blood bank wasn’t just about creating a facility; it was about ensuring that no other woman would face that same life-threatening situation due to a lack of resources.
In Kindersley, Saskatchewan, we faced different challenges but similar underlying issues of access to care. Developing the obstetric program there wasn’t just about adding services – it was about creating pathways for family physicians to gain advanced obstetric skills, ensuring sustainable care in rural communities.
I’ve learned from working in these diverse settings that sustainable solutions must grow from local needs while maintaining consistent quality standards.
These experiences taught me that overcoming healthcare barriers isn’t just about building facilities or programs – it’s about understanding community needs, training healthcare providers, and creating systems that can continue serving people long after initial implementation. Whether in Ghana or Canada, the principles remain the same:
Listen to the community.
Identify the critical gaps.
Build solutions that can stand the test of time.
Your recent article in WJARR and upcoming publications in Arjonline explore essential aspects of women’s health. How does your research contribute to changing approaches in women’s healthcare?
This research grew directly from my experience working with patients and seeing how physical Trauma during childbirth can have lasting effects on both mental and physical well-being. By publishing these findings, we’re helping to highlight the interconnected nature of women’s health issues.
This is particularly important for healthcare providers in urban and rural settings, where understanding these connections can lead to better patient care. The research also supports what I’ve implemented in practice – the importance of considering both immediate medical needs and long-term well-being in women’s healthcare.
These publications contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting more integrated approaches to women’s healthcare. These approaches move beyond treating isolated symptoms to understanding and addressing the full spectrum of women’s health needs.
What healthcare barriers for women do you plan to overcome shortly?
I want to help people who previously did not have access to high-quality medicine. Based on my experience from Ghana to Canada, I aim to continue developing sustainable healthcare programs in underserved communities, focusing on integrating mental health support with primary care services.
Through my teaching roles at the Cumming School of Medicine and clinical practice, I’m committed to training the next generation of healthcare providers to understand and address the unique challenges women face in accessing comprehensive healthcare.
Imagining medicine 10 years from now, what should a truly inclusive and sustainable healthcare system look like?
A truly inclusive and sustainable healthcare system should combine the best elements I’ve seen work in different settings – from rural Ghana to urban Canada. It should ensure that every woman can access comprehensive care, regardless of location.
This means integrating primary care with specialized services, particularly in underserved areas, while maintaining strong connections between community clinics and larger medical centres. Mental health support should be readily available, and healthcare providers should be trained to deliver culturally competent care. Most importantly, it should be a system that grows and adapts with its communities, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Hormone tablets taken during menopause provide relief from symptoms, but do they have long-term health risks? Researchers have found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets containing both estrogen and progestogen may increase the risk of heart disease and blood clots in menopausal women.
During menopause, women’s body goes through a series of changes due to a decrease in female hormones, progesterone, and estrogen resulting in symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms are often frustrating, interfering with their daily lives and mental well-being.
HRT was once commonly prescribed for menopausal symptoms and to reduce the risk of bone loss during this stage. However, recent studies pointing to long-term risks have led to a more cautious approach. It is now recommended only for those where the benefits outweigh the risks. The estimate shows that only 5% of women in the U.S. use it now, a significant drop from about 27% two decades ago.
The latest study published in The BMJ examined the effects of HRT tablets on heart health based on the route of administration and the combination of hormones used. The study suggests that tablets containing both estrogen and progesterone, such as oral combined continuous, oral combined sequential, oral unopposed estrogen, and transdermal combined therapy, increased the risk of ischemic heart disease and venous thromboembolism (blood clots) in women.
The researchers also found that the tablet tibolone in particular was linked to a higher risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, but not blood clots. Tibolone is a synthetic hormone that contains estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
“Compared with not starting menopausal hormone therapy, starting oral combined continuous therapy or tibolone was associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease,” the news release stated.
“If 1,000 women started each of these treatments and were observed for a year, we would expect to see seven new cases of venous thromboembolism across all groups,” the researchers wrote.
However, there was no increased risk associated with transdermal treatments such as skin patches, gels, and creams.
The researchers caution that the study does not prove that HRT causes heart health risks, as the findings are based on observational data. Also, the lack of information on menopausal status and other unmeasured factors, such as smoking and body mass index, may have influenced the results.
President-elect Donald Trump‘s latest leadership pick for the National Institutes of Health once published an open letter slamming the COVID-19 lockdown, while promoting “herd immunity” as a solution to the pandemic.
“Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest Health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease,” Trump wrote in a statement released Tuesday, AP News reported.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine, economic and health research policy at Stanford University whose research focuses not on the science of health but the economics of health care, was shadow-banned on Twitter after he joined in 2021 and started sharing misinformation regarding the pandemic, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal. His account was fully reinstated after Elon Musk bought the platform and invited Bhattacharya to defend his output.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, and before vaccines were available, Bhattacharya encouraged “low-risk” people to live normally to build immunity to the infectious disease while people at higher risk were protected in an open letter dubbed the Great Barrington Declaration, written by three medical experts, including Bhattacharya, in October 2020, AP News reported.
At the time, then-NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins called the letter dangerous and “not mainstream science.”
“I think the lockdowns were the single biggest public health mistake,” Bhattacharya later said during a panel discussion organized by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in March 2021.
The Senate will have to approve Bhattacharya’s appointment before officially takes office.
Vaping is often promoted as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. But is using e-cigarettes truly risk-free? Researchers have discovered that vaping impacts circulation, with noticeable effects occurring immediately.
In the latest study that will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) next week, researchers explored the impact of both cigarette smoking and vaping on vascular function. The study found that while vaping exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals than cigarettes, it still affects circulation and overall health. Interestingly, the effect was observed even in e-cigarettes without nicotine.
“E-cigarettes have long been marketed as a safer alternative to regular tobacco smoking. Some believe that e-cigarettes don’t contain any of the harmful products, such as free radicals, found in regular tobacco cigarettes, because no combustion is involved,” said Dr. Marianne Nabbout, the study lead author in a news release.
To assess the impact on brain circulation, researchers evaluated 31 healthy participants—both smokers and vapers—using MRI scans before and after exposure to tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarette aerosol with nicotine, and e-cigarette aerosol without nicotine. The participants, aged 21 to 49, were compared to baseline scans from 10 non-smokers and non-vapers, aged 21 to 33.
The study also measured blood flow speed in the femoral artery by placing a cuff on the upper thigh to restrict circulation. Also, the venous oxygen saturation of the participants, which shows the amount of oxygen in the blood returning to the heart after supplying oxygen to the body’s tissues was tested.
After inhaling each type of vaping or smoking, blood flow in the superficial femoral artery significantly decreased. The greatest decrease in vascular function occurred after vaping e-cigarettes with nicotine, followed by those without nicotine. Vapers also showed lower venous oxygen saturation, indicating an immediate reduction in oxygen uptake by the lungs, regardless of nicotine content.
“This study serves to highlight the acute effects smoking and vaping can have on a multitude of vascular beds in the human body. If the acute consumption of an e-cigarette can have an effect that is immediately manifested at the level of the vessels, it is conceivable that the chronic use can cause vascular disease,” Dr. Nabbout said.
In June of 2023, 35-year-old Porsha Ngumezi suffered a miscarriage at just 11 weeks pregnant, causing her to lose an immense amount of blood. Ngumezi, who already had young children, had been “passing large clots the size of grapefruit,” according to nurse’s notes obtained by ProPublica.
“You need a D&C,” Hope Ngumezi, Porsha’s husband, was told by his mother who was a former physician. A dilation and curettage, also referred to as a D&C, is a common procedure by which a doctor removes the remaining tissue from a uterus in order to allow the uterus to close up and stop bleeding. The procedure addresses first-trimester miscarriages and abortions.
However, the obstetrician on duty, Dr. Andrew Ryan Davis, gave Porsha misoprostol, a drug intended to help her body pass the tissue independently instead of administering life-saving care due to hospital policy.
The drugs were not enough to stop the bleeding, and Porsha eventually passed away.
Porsha’s death could have been easily prevented by a simple medical procedure that has become intertwined in state abortion laws because it is sometimes used to enact first-trimester abortions. Texas state law demands a prison sentence of up to 99 years for any doctor who violates legislation.
Porsha’s death is the fifth preventable death caused by a lack of access to a D&C in the first trimester or a dilation and evacuation in the second. Three of these deaths occurred in Texas, according to ProPublica.
Instead of administering D&Cs, doctors are giving patients misoprostol instead as the drug is often used to induce labor and treat postpartum hemorrhage, making it less directly related to abortion. However, the drug is not recommended to treat unstable patients.
“Stigma and fear are there for D&Cs in a way that they are not for misoprostol,” said Dr. Alison Goulding, an OB-GYN in Houston. “Doctors assume that a D&C is not standard in Texas anymore, even in cases where it should be recommended. People are afraid: They see D&C as abortion and abortion as illegal.”
“All Houston Methodist hospitals follow all state laws,” said a spokesperson for Houston Methodist, “including the abortion law in place in Texas.”
Scientists have identified a new chemical byproduct in tap water consumed by millions of Americans, solving a decades-long mystery. This compound, formed during water purification with chloramine, raises health concerns for roughly 113 million people and warrants further investigation into its potential toxicity.
Chloramine is a disinfectant created by combining chlorine with ammonia. It is preferred over chlorine in many water treatment systems due to its greater stability, which results in lower levels of disinfectant byproducts compared to chlorine.
Although researchers first noted the unidentified chemical byproduct in tap water treated with chloramine nearly 40 years ago, its exact details were not known. In a recent study published in Science, scientists used advanced analytical methods to uncover its structure, which is now officially named chloronitramide anion.
The researchers detected chloronitramide anion in all 40 samples taken from 10 drinking water systems located in seven states. It was not seen in ultrapure water, or drinking water treated without chlorine-based disinfectants.
“It’s well recognized that when we disinfect drinking water, there is some toxicity that’s created. Chronic toxicity, really. A certain number of people may get cancer from drinking water over several decades. But we haven’t identified what chemicals are driving that toxicity. A major goal of our work is to identify these chemicals and the reaction pathways through which they form,” Julian Fairey, first co-author on the paper said in a news release.
The study represents a significant breakthrough, as it successfully identified chloronitramide anion and determined its structure.
“It’s a very stable chemical with a low molecular weight. It’s a very difficult chemical to find. The hardest part was identifying it and proving it was the structure we were saying it was,” Fairey noted.
Although the toxicity of chloronitramide anion remains uncertain, researchers have raised concerns due to its widespread presence and structural similarities to other toxic compounds. They stress the need for further investigation by academics and regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“Even if it is not toxic, finding it can help us understand the pathways for how other compounds are formed, including toxins. If we know how something is formed, we can potentially control it,” Fairey added.
