Ask a tox doc: What’s the big deal with plastic?

March 19, 2026.Reading time 7 minutes.

It’s hard to avoid plastic. So many common objects that we use regularly have plastic, from toothbrushes and soap bottles to juice cartons and kids’ toys.

I sat down with Dr. Shirlee Tan, a toxicologist with Public Health, to chat about plastic and find out: Is it a concern for our health? And if so, how can we protect ourselves?

Ask the Tox Doc: How can I protect myself from harmful chemicals?

July 7, 2025.Reading time 6 minutes.

We come in contact with a lot of chemicals in our daily lives, including the products we use to shower, the food we eat, and the air we breathe during our commutes.

Toxic chemicals may be hiding in makeup – a discovery made thanks to community engagement in local research

June 26, 2025.Reading time 7 minutes.

A table with several community members mid conversation.

New research out of the Hazardous Waste Management Program (Haz Waste Program) in King County finds dangerously high levels of lead in traditional eyeliners. The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health on June 25, found lead levels in traditional eyeliners hundreds of thousands of times higher than Washington restriction levels under the Toxics Free Cosmetics Act – even in products labeled “lead free.”

Ask the Toxics Docs: Tips to choose safer personal care products and cosmetics

October 22, 2024.Reading time 10 minutes.

Store shelf with personal care products in many colors.

How many personal care products do you use every day? From toothpaste to makeup and shampoo, the number can add up fast. This is a concern because some cosmetics and personal care products contain dangerous chemicals that can harm our health.