American Council on Science and Health

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Promoting evidence-based science and health since 1978. We debunk hype.

Read our stories: www.acsh.org
Watch our videos: youtube.com/ACSHonTV
Clips & Podcasts on Instagram: The American Council on Science and health was founded in 1978 by a group of scientists who had become concerned that many important public policies related to health and the environment did not have a sound scientific basis. These scientists created the organization to add reason and balance to debates about public health issues and to bring common sense views to the public.

11/03/2026

The grossest thing you touch every day, according to science

It’s probably not something you want to think about, but what do you think is the dirtiest thing you touch every day? If you commute via subway, you might suspect a stairwell handle or train pole as the most likely culprit. If you go from your house to your car to an office, maybe it’s the elevator button or the key fob you have to dig out of your bag. All very good guesses–you might even be tempted to pull out your phone and look up the correct answer.

And there we have it.

https://www.popsci.com/health/the-grossest-thing-you-touch-every-day-according-to-science/

11/03/2026

November's birthstone, topaz, is radioactively blue

November's birthstone has a dirty little secret. Much of the brilliant blue topaz sold in jewelry stores doesn't come out of the ground that way. It gets its color from radiation, trapped electrons, and some strange physics. And no, the necklace you presumably bought for your wife or girlfriend isn't radioactive.

https://www.acsh.org/news/2026/11/02/novembers-birthstone-topaz-radioactively-blue-50381

11/03/2026

A word from our new president Cameron English. ACSH thrives on individual donors; to read our original work and support us, visit acsh.org

11/03/2026

The problem with calling everything PFAS: Politics muddies a scientific question

A cohort of environmental groups has run a panic-inducing campaign against a remarkably useful class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), erroneously dubbing them "forever chemicals." Used to make everything from firefighting foam to critical medical devices, there's no evidence they pose a risk to public health. Once again, the scaremongering has overshot the evidence by a mile.

https://www.acsh.org/news/2026/11/02/problem-calling-everything-pfas-politics-muddies-scientific-question-50413

11/02/2026

A Field Guide to the Monsters of Science: Part 1

Every October, we decorate our homes with ghosts, vampires, zombies, and other creatures that, as far as we know, do not exist. Fortunately, most of them disappear when the decorations come down.

Science has its own monsters. They haunt the scientific literature, wander from discipline to discipline, and occasionally sink their teeth into our research budgets.

https://beyondtheabstract.substack.com/p/a-field-guide-to-the-monsters-of

11/02/2026

Ma*****na and heart disease: A troubling study. Or maybe not.

It's no secret that ma*****na is legal, widely available, and wildly popular. But is it good for your heart? A new study involving more than 50 million hospital discharges suggests that legalization may be associated with increased cardiovascular problems. Sounds ominous, but the results are nothing to have a heart attack over.

https://www.acsh.org/news/2026/10/29/ma*****na-and-heart-disease-troubling-study-or-maybe-not-50422

11/02/2026

In toxicology, there's a fundamental principle: The dose makes the poison. Vitamin A is essential for your health, but too much can be toxic. Tylenol can relieve pain and reduce fever, but an overdose can cause severe liver damage. And methylene blue? Too much of it can cause the same rare blood disorder it treats. Just because something is natural, necessary, or commonly used doesn't mean more is better.

11/02/2026

Opioids don't control long-term pain? New review overlooks critical evidence

For more than a decade, several published studies in academic journals have concluded that opioids offer little long-term benefit for chronic pain. While rigorous critical evaluation of prescribing is essential, findings must not be overstated or generalized beyond what the data actually support. The Froentjes review exemplifies how excluding trials of demonstrated responders leads to overgeneralized conclusions about sustained benefit.

https://www.acsh.org/news/2026/10/29/excluding-evidence-benefit-does-not-establish-its-absence-50421

11/02/2026

Chicken tenders: bird flu vaccines under attack

Millions of chickens have been slaughtered to contain bird flu, yet the prospect of vaccinating them has sparked controversy even within the poultry industry. Egg producers want to protect their flocks, while chicken growers worry vaccination could jeopardize lucrative export markets. Washington hesitates.

https://www.acsh.org/news/2026/10/29/chicken-tenders-bird-flu-vaccines-under-attack-50424

11/02/2026

From the Desk of ACSH's President: retiring, not riding off into the sunset

As you may know, I have retired as President of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH). While it hasn't always been easy, I've enjoyed it.

https://www.acsh.org/news/2026/10/30/desk-acshs-president-retiring-not-riding-sunset-50376

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