Silent Spring Institute

Silent Spring Institute The only scientific research organization specifically dedicated to uncovering the environmental causes of breast cancer

The Institute’s research agenda is defined by these priorities:

* Focus on the environment, an under-studied area that can lead to the discovery of preventable causes of cancer, particularly in communities with higher risk;

* Make women’s health, especially breast cancer, a central rather than peripheral research priority;

* Support innovation, including new research methods and pilot studies to test new hypotheses;

* Foster multidisciplinary teams of researchers to integrate their strengths;

* Foster true collaboration among scientists, physicians, and community members. Silent Spring Institute began in 1994, after members of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition called for a scientifically sound investigation into elevated breast cancer rates on Cape Cod. They founded “a laboratory of their own” and named it Silent Spring Institute in tribute to Rachel Carson, whose landmark book, Silent Spring, launched the modern environmental movement. Carson died of breast cancer just two years after the book was published. Be part of the movement http://silentspring.org/.

04/01/2026

✨Silent Spring’s research is driving real-world change!✨

Oral-B removes PFAS from its Glide dental floss.

In 2019, scientists at Silent Spring Institute published the first study to show a link between flossing with Oral-B Glide and elevated levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in the body.
Product testing by the same team also revealed evidence of PFAS in Glide and similar floss products, reinforcing concerns about the use of Teflon-based materials in personal care products.

⚠️Although the company recently reformulated its floss, other manufacturers can still sell products made with Teflon (or PTFE–a PFAS polymer).⚠️

You can avoid PFAS by looking for nylon or silk dental floss that is either uncoated or coated in a natural wax.

For more healthy living tips, download Silent Spring’s Detox Me app.

Read more about it by following this link: https://silentspring.org/news/oral-b-stops-using-teflon-its-popular-glide-dental-flos

04/01/2026

✨Silent Spring’s research is driving real-world change!✨

Oral-B removes PFAS from its Glide dental floss.

In 2019, scientists at Silent Spring Institute published the first study to show a link between flossing with Oral-B Glide and elevated levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in the body.
Product testing by the same team also revealed evidence of PFAS in Glide and similar floss products, reinforcing concerns about the use of Teflon-based materials in personal care products.

⚠️Although the company recently reformulated its floss, other manufacturers can still sell products made with Teflon (or PTFE–a PFAS polymer).⚠️

You can avoid PFAS by looking for nylon or silk dental floss that is either uncoated or coated in a natural wax.

For more healthy living tips, download Silent Spring’s Detox Me app.

Read more about it by following this link: https://silentspring.org/news/oral-b-stops-using-teflon-its-popular-glide-dental-floss

✨Behind the Scenes at Silent Spring: Meet Research Associate, Katherine Franz✨Katherine is making science more interesti...
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.

Do not miss this great opportunity to attend Silent Spring Summer Institute! Throughout this week long, virtual program,...
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

🏡✨ Help Us Improve a Healthy Homes App! ✨🏡You’re invited to participate in usability testing for a healthy homes app cur...
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! 💚

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

Save the date for Silent Spring Institute’s Gala Celebration — an inspiring evening honoring the breakthroughs, bold ide...
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.

Friendly reminder! We're coming together on March 4 for our next Science Café ☕“All About Prevention”: A virtual convers...
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!

As we close out February—honoring both National Cancer Prevention Month and Black History Month—we are reminded that pre...
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 💛

Join us on March 4 for our next Science Café “All About Prevention”: A virtual conversation on how emerging science on e...
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

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320 Nevada Street, Ste 302
Newton, MA
02460

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+16173324288

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Because no one should get breast cancer because of toxic chemicals...

The Institute’s research agenda is defined by these priorities: * Focus on the environmental and preventable causes of breast cancer, particularly in communities with higher risk; * Make breast cancer prevention a national research priority; * Support innovation, including new research methods and pilot studies to test new hypotheses; * Foster multidisciplinary teams of researchers to integrate their strengths; * Foster true collaboration among scientists, physicians, and community members. Silent Spring Institute began in 1994, after members of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition called for a scientifically sound investigation into elevated breast cancer rates on Cape Cod. They founded “a laboratory of their own” and named it Silent Spring Institute in tribute to Rachel Carson, whose landmark book, Silent Spring, launched the modern environmental movement. Carson died of breast cancer just two years after the book was published. Be part of the movement http://silentspring.org/.