Dossier
heavy metals
Coverage of heavy metals in the Nexus archive.
- Tiny snake native to Illinois prairies facing new potential hurdles in Chicago region and beyond
Smooth greensnakes, a non-venomous species native to Illinois prairies, face declining populations due to habitat loss and new threats like soil toxins seeping into their eggs and fungal infections. A study by Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum scientist Allison Sacerdote-Velat highlights exposure to heavy metals (arsenic, copper, iron, lead) and disease risks linked to industrial land use and agriculture.
- FDA affirms safety of infant formula from heavy metals
The FDA confirmed the U.S. infant formula supply is largely safe from contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and PFAS, based on testing of over 300 samples from 16 brands between 2023 and 2025.