<img src="https://www.govwire.co.uk/og/cache/news/3080857.png"/>Tests of seized counterfeit cosmetics found potentially harmful substances such as mercury, lead and methanol, as fake beauty purchases rise among young adults. | Intellectual Property Office.

This new edition of a widely-read and highly-acclaimed book broadens the scope of its predecessors from a heavy focus on industrial chemicals as toxicants to include drugs, food additives, cosmetics and other types of compounds that people are exposed to daily.

A bold exposé of how the very foundation of toxicology has been contaminated by sexist and racist ideologies The first critical understanding of the field of toxicology from a feminist and antiracist perspective, _Toxic Sexual Politics_ asserts that the science of toxicants must be held accountable for the uneven distribution of toxic pollution along racial and sexual lines.

Publication date: Available online 21 October 2026 Source: Talanta Author(s): Meiqing Jin, Qingwei Zhou, Weihong Wu

On the surface, the olive sea snake (Aipysurus duboisii) resembles a standard elapid, but beneath the skin lies a biochemical profile that ranks among the most potent toxicants on Earth. Recent assessments place its venom in the top tier of snake toxicity, a status shared by its close relatives. For the yellow-bellied sea snake (Hypselophis laticinctus), the toxicity is several times greater than that of the Philippine cobra, while the nose-horned sea snake (Hydrophis schistosa) produces toxins that are four to eight times more lethal than cobra venom. This concentration of power is not an evolutionary accident; it is a specific physiological response to a prey base that refuses to stay still long enough to be caught. The Physics of Immediate Paralysis To understand why these reptiles require such extreme potency, one must look at the environment where they hunt. Sea snakes operate in water, a medium where speed and maneuverability are difficult to maintain for large predators. Their primary diet consists of fish, which are ectothermic and often faster swimmers in open water. If a strike requires seconds to subdue the prey, the fish will vanish into the complex geometry of coral reefs or dense seagrass beds. The solution is chemical speed. The venom of sea snakes is predominantly a neurotoxin that blocks the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles. This mechanism induces near-instantaneous paralysis, freezing the prey before it can react. In the case of the yellow-bellied sea snake, this paralytic effect is so efficient that the animal does not need to pursue its victim; the neurochemical shutdown is sufficient to secure the meal. Anatomical Constraints and the Myth of Aggression Despite this lethal capability, human encounters with sea snakes are statistically rare compared to the threat they pose. This discrepancy is driven by anatomy rather than temperament. Unlike viperids, which possess hinged, foldable fangs designed to puncture thick hide, sea snakes have short, fixed teeth. These fangs are physically incapable of easily penetrating the dense skin on the human torso or limbs. An attack usually requires the snake to find a thin membrane, such as the skin between the fingers or toes, to deliver an envenomation. Furthermore, the mouths of many sea snake species are narrow, physically limiting the size of the object they can latch onto. Even when a strike occurs, the outcome is often a "dry bite." Specialists estimate that up to 80% of bites result in no venom being injected. This conservation of resources is critical because regenerating venom takes approximately 24 hours. For a snake in the wild, a dry bite is a cost-effective survival strategy that preserves the energy needed to hunt again the following day.

While scientists are still continually learning what causes autism, there's already considerable evidence linking environmental exposures to the condition, in addition to genetic factors.

Parkinson's disease is undergoing the fastest rise in prevalence among neurological diseases worldwide.1 This growth is caused in part by exposure to environmental toxicants, with a particular concern...

Suggests children are ‘chronically and repeatedly exposed’ to dozens of potentially harmful chemicals Contact for media: Steven Lee, (210) 450-3823, lees22@uthscsa.edu Content prov

Suggests children are ‘chronically and repeatedly exposed’ to dozens of potentially harmful chemicals Contact for media: Steven Lee, (210) 450-3823, lees22@uthscsa.edu Content provided by Claire Kowal...

Suggests children are ‘chronically and repeatedly exposed’ to dozens of potentially harmful chemicals Contact for media: Steven Lee, (210) 450-3823, lees22@uthscsa.edu Content provided by Claire Kowal...

A pilot study by The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center found elevated levels of toxicants in the primary teeth of children with autism compared with those of children without autism, including compounds known to disrupt development or the endocrine system.

A pilot study by The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center found elevated levels of toxicants in the primary teeth of children with autism compared with those of children without autism, including compounds known to disrupt development or the endocrine system.

Germany’s leading cancer institute supports a ban on nicotine pouches. Is the goal to reduce smoking-related disease or just attack nicotine?

In comments to the U.S. EPA, Beyond Pesticides condemned the agency for failing to protect public health and the environment from sewage sludge (biosolids) fertilizer contaminated with toxicants including persistent “forever chemicals,” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). While warning the public to protect itself from PFAS contaminants, EPA released what itself calls “non-binding or voluntary recommendations for how to mitigate risks.” The toxic biosolids fertilizer is used in food production, in gardens, and on playing fields. A public comment period is open through October 5,...