Cahokia Heights, IL residents partnered with a legal nonprofit to test 118 water samples from 23 homes. The nonprofit reported that testing found E. coli in 3 homes, indicating fecal contamination; 26 samples showed elevated levels of coliform bacteria, which may suggest a water safety issue. Other tests showed that water from kitchen taps did not have enough chlorine, a chemical that kills germs in water. These test results do not align with findings from testing conducted by the City, whose leaders say that 20 tests for E. coli throughout the water system were all negative. Drinking water problems are not new to Cahokia Heights and include sewage backups in home water pipes and sewage overflows during floods. The city has worked to resolve those issues and respond to EPA orders for water system repairs.

On April 2nd, 2026, the EPA proposed adding microplastics and pharmaceuticals to the “Candidate Contaminants List” (CCL). The EPA says this step will allow it to further study these substances and, in the future, set legal limits for them in drinking water. Microplastics shed from all types of plastics and end up in the water supply. Small amounts of the medications people take are shed in human waste and can reenter the water supply. It’s unclear how harmful these substances are to humans. Research into how microplastics impact the human body is just beginning, but animal studies suggest they may be harmful. Trace amounts of medications in water have not been linked to negative health impacts. Setting regulations on these substances will likely take years.

A post circulating on social media claimed that farmers in Missouri were finding boxes of ticks in fields. A caption with the post stated, “this should concern you”. A fact checking site, Snopes, investigated this claim and found no evidence that farmers had found any boxes. Over three dozen counties in Missouri that responded to a Snopes inquiry stated they had received no reports of these boxes. No evidence that supports this rumor.

On March 2nd, 2026, the FDA announced a recall of 90,000 4 oz bottles of liquid children’s ibuprofen manufactured by Taro Pharmaceuticals distributed nationwide. The recalled bottles have an expiration date of Jan 31, 2027, and are from lots 7261973A and 7261974A. The company voluntarily recalled the medicine after complaints of gel-like masses and black particles in the product. People should check that they do not have affected ibuprofen. People should not throw away the affected medicine but take it to any medicine disposal site. Most pharmacies have one of these sites.

As of March 20th, two Missouri residents have tested positive for mpox after travelling internationally. These are the first two reported cases of Clade I mpox in the state and just the 13th and 14th cases in the U.S. The two cases were unrelated to each other. Clade I mpox is more severe than Clade II mpox. Clade II caused the ongoing global outbreak which began in 2022. Anyone can get mpox but, the risk is low. However, some groups are considered at moderate risk. It is recommended that people at moderate risk get vaccinated for mpox. For more information visit cdc.gov/monkeypox/vaccines.