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Natalie Exum, PhD

@nataliegexum.bsky.social
144 followers 155 following 27 posts

Assistant Professor of environmental health and engineering @JohnsHopkinsSPH, bridging the gap between public health and water systems. Mother to 4. Lots of poop talk.

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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 20h
Measles is spreading far wider in PA than the numbers say. From a trusted midwife in the Amish community “I would say that 90% of the women I attend in birth right now have had it [measles] or have it”. Public health peeps, is a conversation worth listening to. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com
Measles Is Spreading: Beyond the Fighting, What's Helping People On the Ground? We Talk w a Midwife, a Doctor, a Public Health Leader & a Journalist
Podcast Episode · Why Should I Trust You? · October 1 · 1h 21m
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CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Airport air sampling captures COVID, influenza viruses Researchers say air monitoring complements wastewater testing in detecting respiratory pathogens from diverse populations, including asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people. Read more: bit.ly/4AyPxkK
Sign at airport with arrows to arrival hall, customs, and first aid
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Anne Sosin @annesosin.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
We need to see MAHA as the product of a political economy designed to sow doubt and undermine public institutions, rather than a solution to the structural forces that have created a sense of abandonment and dislocation in too many communities and left them vulnerable to bad faith actors.
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Sarah Taber @sarahtaber.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A quick word on Taco Bell: That's where we found the suspected lettuce, and it's not bc Taco Bell is gross. It's bc Taco Bell is REALLY GOOD at tracing product! Keeping track of exactly where they got their ingredients, & exactly what restaurants each shipment of ingredients went to!
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Caitlin Rivers @cmyeaton.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Seems that rinsing produce can help to prevent cyclosporiasis, but not reliably. The literature is thin, papers citing in circles with no real evidence base. Most direct answer I found: "For C. cay, which seems to be stickier, removal by rinsing under tap water was lower, ranging from 11.4–68.6%.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
The morning after. Notice how the unbreathable air (purple bars) pop up right after the fireworks conclude at midnight
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
My friendly reminder not to get in a hot tub this summer unless you’ve confirmed it’s been properly treated
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Rep. Mike Levin @levin.house.gov · 20/06/2026
This should be on the front page of every newspaper in America.       Trump’s DOJ just shut down a federal investigation into a coal company owned by Sen. Jim Justice, one of his closest allies, after it racked up tens of thousands of alleged violations for dumping dangerous chemicals…
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CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The world is seeing far fewer deaths from infections that cause diarrhea. Global deaths from infections that cause diarrhea and other intestinal illnesses fell from 3.7 million in 1990 to 1.3 million in 2023. Read more: ow.ly/WYev50ZaHSR
Infant in white receiving oral rotavirus vaccine
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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 06/06/2026
Data centers are asking just too much for too little in return. I'm pausing the release of any new data center tax incentives in Illinois — and I'm calling on the General Assembly to act in veto session to make sure data centers are paying their fair share.
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Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
“Scientists shouldn’t get political.” Except when politics is destroying science, killing millions, & making the world more dangerous for everyone. It’s never unprofessional or wrong to stand up for what’s right, when our health, security, & freedom are at stake ✊🏻🇺🇸🇨🇦 @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social
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Carlos Guardia @charlyguardia.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Come and be my neighbor and work in our fantastic branch at NIEHS! :) Let me know if you have any questions, happy to assist. www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/jobs...
niehs.nih.gov
Tenure Track Investigator, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Division of Intramural Research
The Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory (RDBL) within the Division of Intramural Research of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institu...
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Now is the time to activate our wastewater surveillance network for Ebola.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
On my way back from releasing this National Academies report to the exposed community members in Hawaii and glad to see this podcast come out!
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
The Tijuana River has carried 10 billion gallons of mostly raw sewage and industrial waste since January. While the almost 300 million gallons spilled in the Potomac is near repaired 👀 apnews.com/article/tiju...
apnews.com
Tijuana River sewage is making the air toxic and sickening thousands in California
For decades, billions of gallons of sewage and industrial waste have been dumped into the Tijuana River.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Farmers are the bellwether. ‘There’s no oversight, there’s no regulation, there’s no organization, there’s no guardrails of any kind,’ Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller www.agriculture.com/partners-far...
agriculture.com
Farmers Increasingly Rejecting Data Center Bids For Land
Politico reported that “the tech industry’s relentless push for data centers is colliding with farmers who see the projects as a threat to their way of life, fueling unrest in Republican primaries and...
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Lots of poop talk today.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A major loophole. “Few disclosure rules exist for data center water use, allowing companies to choose what to make public and to create their own reporting methodologies” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/t...
nytimes.com
Microsoft Pledged to Save Water. In the A.I. Era, It Expects Water Use to Soar.
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Amesh Adalja @ameshaa.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
“The widespread use of wastewater surveillance in the United States is one of the greatest advancements in communicable disease surveillance in a generation,” apnews.com/article/meas...
apnews.com
CDC studies show value of nationwide wastewater disease surveillance, as potential funding cut looms
Two new studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show wastewater monitoring of measles can flag measles spread days to weeks in advance.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Water source protection is public health 101. Prevention of pollution (harm) is cost effective and best for health. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/n...
nytimes.com
How New York Keeps Its Unfiltered Water Safe: Spending Millions on Land
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
It’s all about the jet stream. The Arctic is warming at rapid speed and destabilizing the jet stream that keeps this Arctic air in the Arctic.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 29/11/2025
Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people's bodies. Her bosses halted her work. Now she wrestles with the secrets that 3M kept from her and the world. (Published May 2024)
propublica.org
Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe
Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people’s bodies. Her bosses halted her work. As the EPA now forces the removal of the chemicals from drinking water, she wrestles wit...
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Judy Stone @drjudystone.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
This is a travesty, eliminating #PublicHealth loans for PT, OT, MPH, DrPH and many other degrees. They are trying to kill us.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
NHANES is a national treasure of health data that we must stand up for.
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Daniel Westreich @epidbydesign.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
RIFs at CDC. Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world. Call your Reps about it. Then call them again.
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Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
The White House projects its FY 2026 budget would result in over 75,000 lost research jobs and over 150,000 fewer students and teachers who engage with STEM programs and research nationwide. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/00-NSF...
Loss of people involved in NSF activities (see link for complete report)
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
The Navajo Nation is 60x less likely to have piped water than most Americans. “And it’s very expensive for our people to haul their own, and they have to ration, which has had a direct impact on the health of the Navajo Nation.” www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
scientificamerican.com
How RSV Immunizations Bring Hope for Indigenous Infants in the U.S.
American Indian and Alaska Native infants experience the highest rates of RSV-related hospitalization in the U.S., but a breakthrough immunization is helping to close the gap
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Andrea Love, PhD | Biomedical Scientist @drandrealove.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Toxicology principle that needs to be mainstream: The dose makes the poison. That’s true of everything. Water. Oxygen. Vitamin A. Vitamin D. Aspartame. Formaldehyde. A single pear contains 120 times MORE formaldehyde than what might be in a vaccine. 1/
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
Our water treatment workers are public health heroes and now the front line for thwarting cyber security attacks. Great piece to give a listen. Favorite quote: “I don't really have the background to be fending off foreign entities, you know?”
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
Schistosomiasis is such a challenging disease to prevent. Well done @apoorvanyt.bsky.social for this excellent piece. “Without clean water and other changes to accompany the treatment programs, the effectiveness of the drugs is already limited.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/h...?
nytimes.com
When a Simple Swim Carries a Risk of Dangerous Illness
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Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Alabama lost a $14m grant to upgrade sanitation systems. A historically Black Virginia neighborhood won’t receive $20m to stop severe flooding. Louisiana lost grants to monitor air quality in “Cancer Alley,” an 80-mile stretch of mostly Black towns. www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
washingtonpost.com
Black communities, shaken by Trump cuts, feel ‘left behind again’
The Trump administration has canceled nearly two dozen projects, according to a Post analysis, undermining efforts on pollution, sewage leaks and flooding.
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Dr. Robert D. Bullard @drrobertbullard.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
EPA decides not to defend federal drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals in court - CBS Albany cbs6albany.com/news/local/e...
cbs6albany.com
EPA decides not to defend federal drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals in court
The fate of stronger protections for safe drinking water are in jeopardy after a court filing by the Environmental Protection Agency saying they will not be def
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
“Paraquat symbolizes the challenges of environmental health and chemical regulation… Companies, following the tobacco playbook, hire lobbyists and highlight the uncertainties” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Clue to Unlocking Parkinson’s May Be All Around Us
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Rachel Hall-Clifford, PhD, MPH, MSc @rahallclifford.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
More great news for Big Diarrhea!
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LSR @lindsaysmithrogers.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
"After local officials give the all-clear, it’s a good idea to let the water run for a while to flush the pipes of any residual gunk" ☣️🚿 @nataliegexum.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/w...
nytimes.com
The Unseen Dangers of Floodwaters
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Johns Hopkins Engineering @hopkinsengineer.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
“We want to empower kids to become change-makers and messengers in their own communities." @johnshopkinsehe.bsky.social's @nataliegexum.bsky.social is working with high school MERIT scholars to supercharge community outreach to address lead pipes in Baltimore. engineering.jhu.edu/news/getting...
engineering.jhu.edu
Getting the Lead Out: Community Outreach Pushes Baltimore Toward Safer Drinking Water - Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering
As Baltimore faces a federal deadline to identify and replace lead service lines, local researchers and community groups are stepping in to reach residents the city has struggled to engage.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Staying hopeful the EPA will uphold this rule that gives cities and towns a 10-year deadline to replace all of their lead pipes apnews.com/article/epa-...
apnews.com
Trump EPA says it will defend tough lead pipe rule from Biden, but details to come
The Environmental Protection Agency announced it would defend the Biden administration's strict rules to reduce lead in drinking water against a utility group court challenge.
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Caitlin Rivers @cmyeaton.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Re-upping one small idea: Universities should commit to preserving library/journal/software access for students and researchers who have to leave academia because of funding cuts. We need concrete, practical ways of preserving scholarship.
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Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH, SM @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
We should be expanding wastewater surveillance to help guide farms in more effectively implementing costly biosecurity measures. But even the limited wastewater surveillance we have is imperiled by looming budget cuts. www.statnews.com/2025/03/21/h...
statnews.com
Bird flu is spreading. Wastewater monitoring can help us stop it
The National Wastewater Surveillance System’s funding expires at the end of fiscal year 2025, just as bird flu heats up.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Air quality monitoring at our embassies brought awareness and data transparency that otherwise did not exist. Why take down such an effective program that improved health? www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
washingtonpost.com
State Department halts global monitoring of air pollution
The program had used sensors at more than 80 U.S. embassies and consulates to track air quality, mostly in places where such data was unavailable.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
"Vaccination remains the best defense against measles infection." Since it is buried in this communication, whispered this morning. www.cdc.gov/media/releas...
cdc.gov
CDC Statement on Measles Outbreak
CDC is in close communication with Texas health authorities over the recent measles outbreak.
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Alexandra Phelan 余雪莲 @alexandraphelan.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
WHO update today on the unidentified illness & deaths in #DRC Equateur Province. As of 27 Feb: - 1096 cases 60 deaths identified (over 2 locations) ~ 50% of samples tested +ve for malaria (not unusual) - ongoing tests for food, water, environmental contamination www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
afro.who.int
Democratic Republic of the Congo deepens investigation on cluster of illness and community deaths in Equateur province
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and experts from World Health Organization (WHO) are carrying out further investigations to determine the cause of another cluster of illness...
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Matthew Facciani @matthewfacciani.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Federal scientists should know their rights, agency policies, and whistle-blower protections to safeguard scientific integrity. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
‘Despair is not an option’ — how scientists can help protect federal research
Government scientists in the US must be clear-eyed and continue to serve the public.
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 05/02/2025
National Science Foundation "is planning to lay off between a quarter and a half of its staff in the next two months," Politico reports. www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
politico.com
Science funding agency threatened with mass layoffs
National Science Foundation staff heard the plans at a meeting Tuesday.
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Natalie Exum, PhD @nataliegexum.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Public health is about all of us. Grateful our work with Navajo Nation was included in our new @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social Bloomberg School video: youtu.be/5lsQseG5HBg?...
youtu.be
Public Health is About All of Us: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
YouTube video by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
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