Phil Brown Archives

A new study shows that people with elevated levels of PFAS in their blood—most often a result of exposure to contaminated drinking water or food—could have more severe cases of COVID-19. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Chemicals found in everyday objects could cause more severe cases of COVID-19

PFAS chemicals are nearly inescapable. They’re found in everything from lotion to raingear, and 97 percent of Americans have elevated levels of them in their blood. Phil Brown, a university distinguished professor of sociology and health sciences at Northeastern, explains how these chemicals could cause more serious cases of COVID-19 and potentially interfere with the efficacy of the vaccine.

by Emily Arntsen January 14, 2021

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.

by Laura Castañón January 10, 2020

A picture of water dripping into a glass

What you need to know about the ‘forever chemicals’ in your food, water, and air

Chemicals that have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and pregnancy complications, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, are in our household products, food, water, and air. We’re constantly taking them into our bodies, and these chemicals don’t just break down and go away, says Phil Brown, who directs Northeastern’s Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute.

by Laura Castañón October 23, 2019

From left to right: Roger Giese, Phil Brown, Emily Zimmerman, Akram Alshawabkeh, David Kaeli, Thomas Sheahan, and Justin Manjourides. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

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.

by Aria Bracci October 5, 2018

Northeastern to host ‘archive-a-thon’ to preserve federal science data

Researchers, coders, librarians, activists, and students will gather at Northeastern on Friday to identify and archive a range of federal science and environmental databases, websites, and other resources—the latest in a series of “data rescue” events that are part of a national grassroots movement.

by Greg St. Martin March 24, 2017

Phil Brown

Chemicals found in everyday objects could cause more severe cases of COVID-19

U.S. House passes legislation to regulate the ‘forever chemicals’ in your food, water, and air

What you need to know about the ‘forever chemicals’ in your food, water, and air

Researchers receive $13.2 million to continue study of health challenges facing women, children in Puerto Rico

Northeastern to host ‘archive-a-thon’ to preserve federal science data

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