Joe Allen

The health secretary has walled himself off from government scientists and empowered fellow activists to pursue his vaccine agenda
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...

The EPA's soil limits for lead is not protective for kids. Zeldin: “Protecting children from harmful lead exposure is a top priority for the Trump EPA."

MAHA? Top priority? Doesn't seem like it...

www.epa.gov/newsreleases...

Zeldin: “Protecting children from harmful lead exposure is a top priority for the Trump EPA."

EPA Updates Lead Guidance to Accelerate Cleanup of Superfund, Hazardous Waste Sites Across the Nation | US EPA EPA is taking decisive action today to protect Americans from lead exposure by establishing a new, clear approach to accelerate lead cleanup at contaminated sites.

www.epa.gov/newsreleases...

Post-fire soil hazards: recommendations for updated soil testing protocols and clearance thresholds Urban wildfires in Los Angeles have highlighted the increased risk of soil lead exposure, especially for children. Current post-wildfire soil remediation protocols may not sufficiently protect public health, especially in communities returning after ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Keeping kids safe? The EPA released updated guidance on limits of lead in soil. They got it wrong, as we show in an article we wrote months ago.

GOAL: keep kids blood-lead low
❌EPA: 5 ug/dl
✅CA: 1 ug/dl

SOIL LIMITS (derived from blood-lead target)
❌EPA: 200 ppm
✔️CA: 80 ppm
✅NEW STUDY: 55 ppm

India Is a Rising Power, but Breathing in Its Capital Is Hazardous

another story of outdoor air pollution, another story that fails to even mention indoor air

-->outdoor pollution penetrates indoors
-->indoor can be controlled (unlike the outdoor pollution that they're trying to address by spraying water from "anti-smog" trucks...🤦‍♂️)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/w...

Scientists working on the LA Fires:
lafirehealth.org/conference/

Coming soon: non-stick apples

I think everyone involved in this needs to be vaccinated multiple times

What a headline

www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

All the chickens touched the same elevator button

www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/new...

Our latest research w collaborators @massgeneralbrigham.bsky.social found that, over the last 25 years, heat and cold-related deaths have caused more than 69,000 deaths in the U.S.

▶️ 35% were heat-related
▶️ 65% were cold-related
▶️ Temperature-related mortality rates have increased in recent years

U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students

Bill passed by House:
--> would deny federal funding to any US scientist who collaborates w anyone affiliated w China
--> IT'S RETROACTIVE (!); incl interactions for prev 5 years
--> prohibited activities: research, co-authorship, advising grad student or postdoc
www.science.org/content/arti...

#HealthyBuildings @hsph.harvard.edu

Contractor Compliance Risk Mounts for Firms in White House East Wing Demolition Lawmakers and preservationists raise questions about fast-moving White House ballroom project, which began before oversight could catch up.

www.enr.com/articles/617...

The east wing of the White House that was demolished had known asbestos issue
—> ACECO, the demo company, had its asbestos-abatement license revoked in 2022
—> no documentation has been released to show how mitigation was carried out or which firm performed it or whether ACECO had proper licensure

“The Fuck You Middle/Lower Class America Plan”

Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school.

Our new paper! Building electrification can be good for health too – the more renewables on the grid, the better it is. 🛟 | #energysky

doi.org/10.1016/j.jo...

... with @joeallenjoe.bsky.social and other lovely people who aren't on here

ARREST MADE in Harvard explosion

“Earlier this morning, acting on a tip received by law enforcement, investigators positively identified and arrested two suspects. The arrests were made by a multi-jurisdictional team that included the Harvard PD, FBI, and local and state police departments.”

--> Bldg is secured (badge access)
--> explosion was on the 4th floor
--> It can be a confusing building, so...they had Harvard ID access cards, and knew where they were going in the building (4th floor not random, obviously...)

No email/text update overnight or this morning from Harvard PD on the Harvard medical school explosion.

Addt'l context:
--> It happened overnight (3am Saturday morning), so they were not targeting people (unless intent was for device to explode on another day/time)
🧵

Harvard PD looking for help identifying these people

A tiny device is identifying invisible health hazards in Boston schools - The Boston Globe Boston Public Schools is using a nation-leading network of air quality sensors to improve classroom air.

“They’ve set a model for how it should be done going forward,” said Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at @hsph.harvard.edu

@bostonschools.boston.gov

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/26/s...

A tiny device is identifying invisible health hazards in Boston schools - The Boston Globe Boston Public Schools is using a nation-leading network of air quality sensors to improve classroom air.

“It’s one of the best investments Boston Public Schools has ever made".
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/26/s...

Two COVID Vaccine Studies -- One Actionable, the Other Not So Much As we await the results of placebo-controlled COVID-19 vaccine studies, what are we clinicians to do when our patients ask us whether they should get a booster this fall? What once was a no-brainer in...

blogs.jwatch.org/hiv-id-obser...

Covid vaccine study:
--> 29% lower risk of COVID-related ER visits
--> 39% lower risk of hospitalization
--> 64% lower risk of death

Study has key methodological strengths
👇

JPMC's new HQ at 270 Park is setting new standards of excellence for healthy buildings. Such a privilege to be part of this team bringing it to life.
www.jpmorganchase.com/newsroom/pre...