Mail & Guardian
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Some electrical oils may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — toxic, man-made chemicals linked to cancer and a range of other health problems, the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment said on Friday.
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Environment department warns against using transformer oil on the body over toxic PCB risks

The department has issued a public health warning after reports that transformer oil is being used for medicinal purposes in some communities

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
The Unep study, which the Global Environment Facility funded, was conducted in 42 countries in regions where data on persistent organic pollutants is limited.(Photo by Doaa Adel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
AIR

UN report shows decline in some chemical pollutants as new threats emerge

Persistent organic pollutants stay in the environment over decades and longer and are linked to cancer, liver damage and decreased fertility

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Feedstock: Peter Ryan of the University of Cape Town found this great shearwater dead at its breeding colony at Tristan da Cunha. It had ingested 194 bits of plastic. (Peter Ryan)
CHEMICAL COMPONENTS

Diet of plastic their harmful chemicals is killing seabirds

An international team of researchers has found plastic chemicals in seabirds, including flame retardants and UV stabilisers, as well as banned pollutants

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read