Silent Spring Institute

03/18/2026

✨Behind the Scenes at Silent Spring: Meet Research Associate, Katherine Franz✨

Katherine is making science more interesting, understandable, and actionable for everyone. Many of her projects center on “report-back,” the practice of sharing individual study results with participants.

Katherine works with Silent Spring’s DERBI tool to develop reports to help people interpret results for environmental exposure measurements such as contaminants in well water, chemicals measured in blood, and radon levels in homes. She also supports Silent Spring’s PFAS exposure studies by collecting samples of dust, air, soil, and home-grown produce from homes across Massachusetts.

Katherine holds a BS in Environmental Sciences and Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame.

03/10/2026

Do not miss this great opportunity to attend Silent Spring Summer Institute! Throughout this week long, virtual program, high school students will learn important topics such as:
1. Research methods
2. Exposure science
3. Toxicology &
4. Environmental justice

📆 July 6-10, 2026 (virtually)
🔗 Register here: http://silentspring.org/summer

03/02/2026

🏡✨ Help Us Improve a Healthy Homes App! ✨🏡

You’re invited to participate in usability testing for a healthy homes app currently in development by Silent Spring Institute.

💻 Participation includes a 1-hour Zoom session
🎁 Receive a $50 gift card as a thank-you for your time!

Interested? Fill out this form to get started:

🔗 https://bit.ly/TestHomeApp

We’ll follow up by email. Depending on the level of interest, we may not be able to respond to everyone — but we truly appreciate your willingness to help! 💚

02/28/2026

Curious about science, the environment, and health? Silent Spring’s second annual Summer Institute is now open for registration!

🧪Led by Silent Spring Institute’s Executive Director, Mary Beth Terry, a world-renowned cancer epidemiologist
🔬Students will learn a range of topics including toxicology, exposure science, chemistry, and community engaged research.

📆 July 6-10, 2026 (virtually)
💡 Free and open to high school students
⌛ Registration closes June 5th

🔗 Find the registration link here: http://silentspring.org/summer

02/26/2026

Save the date for Silent Spring Institute’s Gala Celebration — an inspiring evening honoring the breakthroughs, bold ideas, and dedicated leaders advancing breast cancer prevention and bringing cutting-edge science to life.

Thursday, October 1, 2026
Museum of Science, Boston

Stay tuned for more details and keep an eye on silentspring.org/gala where program information will be posted as available.

For sponsorship opportunities or to get involved, please contact Julia Runyan at runyan@silentspring.org or 617-318-5279.

02/25/2026

Friendly reminder! We're coming together on March 4 for our next Science Café ☕“All About Prevention”: A virtual conversation on how emerging science on everyday chemicals and breast cancer risk is shaping prevention strategies.🧘‍♂️

Featuring:

🔬 Marybeth Hans, MS, PA-C, Clinical Director, Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
🔬 Dr. Mary Beth Terry, Executive Director, Silent Spring Institute

Save your spot today 📅— register at: https://silentspring.org/event/science-cafe-all-about-prevention!

02/24/2026

As we close out February—honoring both National Cancer Prevention Month and Black History Month—we are reminded that prevention and health equity must go hand in hand.

At Silent Spring Institute, we study cancer-causing chemicals in personal care products commonly used by Black women, who are disproportionately affected by aggressive forms of breast cancer and other health issues.

Our research doesn’t stop at discovery. It drives policy change to remove harmful ingredients from products and protect consumers nationwide.

You can help power this work all year long. Become a Silent Spring Sustainer and join us in building a safer, more just world.

Start your monthly gift today at silentspring.org/sustainer 💛

02/18/2026

Join us on March 4 for our next Science Café “All About Prevention”: A virtual conversation on how emerging science on everyday chemicals and breast cancer risk is shaping prevention strategies.

Featuring:
- Marybeth Hans, MS, PA-C, Clinical Director, Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Dr. Mary Beth Terry, Executive Director, Silent Spring Institute

Save your spot today! Register at: https://silentspring.org/event/science-cafe-all-about-prevention

02/11/2026

02/11/2026

A new study, led by Silent Spring's Dr. Elissia Franklin, identified dozens of hazardous chemicals in hair extensions, including products made from human hair, providing the strongest evidence yet of the potential health risks associated with this largely unregulated category of beauty products that disproportionately affect Black women.

“This is an industry that has long overlooked the health of Black women, who should not have to choose between cultural expression, convenience, and their health,” says Dr. Franklin.

“These findings make clear that stronger oversight is urgently needed to protect consumers and push companies to invest in making safer products."

The study was published today in the journal Environment & Health.

Learn more: https://silentspring.org/news/hair-extensions-contain-many-more-dangerous-chemicals-previously-thought

02/09/2026

Consumer Reports breaks down what to look for when choosing healthier personal care and beauty products.

Our research shows that people who avoid products with certain toxic ingredients have lower body burden: https://silentspring.org/news/consumers-who-avoid-products-harmful-chemicals-label-have-lower-body-burden

But avoiding ingredients only goes so far.

Take PFAS, for example. These chemicals usually aren’t listed, but they’re often used in products labeled “waterproof” or “long-lasting." So steering clear of those claims is one way to reduce exposure, says Silent Spring's Dr. Robin Dodson.

Learn more: https://silentspring.org/news/many-eco-friendly-childrens-textiles-found-contain-toxic-pfas-chemicals
https://www.consumerreports.org/product-safety/concerning-ingredients-in-cosmetics-beauty-products-a1142118686/

How to avoid chemicals like PFAS, parabens, phthalates, and lead that may be in your makeup, shampoo, and other cosmetics and personal care items.

02/05/2026

February brings together both National Cancer Prevention Month and Black History Month—a powerful moment to focus on health equity and prevention.

At Silent Spring Institute, our scientists are studying cancer-causing chemicals in personal care products commonly used by Black women, who are disproportionately affected by aggressive forms of breast cancer, among other health issues.

This research is essential for changing policies to protect consumers from harmful ingredients.

Support this work with a monthly gift at silentspring.org/sustainer