What to know about the risks of 'forever chemicals'

Explore extrasensory perception (in the animal kingdom) [View this email online]( [NPR Health]( June 26, 2022 by [Carmel Wroth]( This week, there's a lot to think about in America: big changes in the landscape of [reproductive health care,]( new vaccines for little kids, and troubling reports of [chemicals in the water.]( For a break from the news, take a deep dive with us into animal's [extraordinary sensory perception.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [What to know about PFAS, the 'forever chemicals' in our environment and bloodstreams]( ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images Pour a cool glass of water and drink it up: nice, refreshing hydration ... with a side of chemical pollution? PFAS, a class of thousands of man-made chemicals that have been around since the 1940s, are present in our drinking water, soil, food and air. And yes our bodies. Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency warned that even tiny amounts of some of PFAS chemicals found in drinking water may pose risks. So, how do we navigate a world filled with potentially harmful chemicals? Arlene Blum, a biophysical chemist who spends a lot of her time educating the public about PFAS, guides us through what they are, why they're a problem, [and what you can do to lower your exposure risks.]( PLUS: With heat spiking even in cooler parts of the country, air conditioning is [becoming a necessity -- is it even a basic right?]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- [How to think ahead about emergency contraception and pregnancy planning when abortion is not an option]( Catherine McQueen/Getty Images Access to a safe abortion always varied depending where you live. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, abortions are becoming more heavily restricted or almost completely illegal in many states. This has implications for reproductive health well beyond abortion – including types of birth control, fertility treatments and treatments during pregnancy. Many people may have to rethink – or think more intentionally about – decisions they've long taken for granted. Here, from NPR's Life Kit, is what you need to know about [birth control, emergency contraception and planning ahead for the risks of pregnancy.]( [Why getting COVID vaccines to little kids isn't as easy as other childhood immunizations]( Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images It's welcome news for many concerned parents of babies and toddlers: The White House has rolled out a plan for vaccinating the 19 million kids under 5 in the U.S. But if you're still trying to figure out where to find an appointment, you're not alone. A lot of logistics are going on behind the scenes to get this new low-dose formulation of Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines out so that little kids can finally get protected. Here's why it's been a tricky rollout and [what to know about how to get in line for your kids,]( [Human senses are limited. Explore the extraordinary perception of animals]( Raymond Roig/AFP via Getty Images There's a vast world around us that animals can perceive — but humans can't. For example, it might seem that there's little to detect in a dark room, a bird in the room would be able to pick up on the magnetic field of the earth and would know which direction to fly if it was time to migrate. A dog would be sniffing out various odors that a human would not be able to smell. A rattlesnake would sense the infrared radiation of other creatures in the room. "Each of these creatures, we could all be sharing exactly the same physical space and have a radically different experience of that space," science writer Ed Yong says. In his new book, An Immense World, Yong explores the [diversity of perception in the animal world and the limitations of our own senses.]( - The U.S. monkeypox outbreak is [much worse than it looks]( - Want to start traveling more? Here’s how to [get over a fear of flying]( - LISTEN: Why [trees make us happier and healthier]( - Uh-oh! There’s a shortage of sriracha – [brunch won’t be the same...]( We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of [NPR's health journalism]( on Shots and follow us on Twitter at [@NPRHealth](. All best, Carmel Wroth and NPR's health editors --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? 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