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Phil Brown
Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Health Sciences, Director of Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute

Phil Brown in the Press

Phil Brown for Northeastern Global News

RFK Jr says he wants to get rid of fluoride in water. What would that mean for our health?
RFK Jr speaking into a microphone.

RFK Jr says he wants to get rid 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.
Drinking water in communities of color is more likely to be contaminated by ‘forever chemicals,’ research finds
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
A pile of Band-aids.

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

A health science expert explains how bandages can contain phthalates 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
picture of a glass of water

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

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

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

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

The research pointed to EPA testing that found toxic chemicals PFASs were detected in 162 U.S. drinking water systems.
Powerful stories, music at Northeastern Holocaust Commemoration

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.
What do human research subjects have the right to know?

What do human research subjects have the right to know?

An interdisciplinary group of researchers from around the world converged at Northeastern last week to grapple with the ethics of informed consent when using humans as their subjects.
‘Big visions’ for solving environmental health issues

‘Big visions’ for solving environmental health issues

Phil Brown’s interdisciplinary research combines social science and environmental health.