🏆 The Examination has been nominated in The #Webby Awards! Our investigation into the poisonous lead trade is a finalist for the Best Individual Editorial Feature. And you can help us win a People’s Voice Award here by voting here before April 16 👇

After we found lead poisoning, a battery recycling factory in the Republic of Congo was shut down. Officials promised medical care and a cleanup and @who.int offered to help, but since then, residents have heard nothing. Read the full story 👇

🗣️Your opinion matters. We are conducting an audience survey to better understand your needs and interests. Your feedback helps us improve our reporting. Take the survey: examination.news/audience-sur...

We want to hear from you! Help shape the future of our newsroom by taking our audience survey. Your feedback will help us understand what you value about our reporting and how we can best deliver it to you. examination.news/audience-sur...

In Iran, Israel’s strikes hit oil, gas and water systems, homes and hospitals—poisoning air and water, collapsing healthcare, and driving long-term disease. Even after the war ends, the health consequences could last for decades. Read more in our latest newsletter.

Researchers warn nicotine-free vapes and pouches could be even more potent and addictive than actual nicotine. Here’s what we know about the safety of these products and how they’re regulated: www.youtube.com/shorts/4tz-I...

In India, pollution from coal mining is making residents sick. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mining for cobalt bought by European carmakers has allegedly poisoned workers. The corporations making people sick, covered weekly in our newsletter:

In the east Indian town of Jharia, India’s coal boom is fueling the economy. But families picking coal in the shadow of the mines breathe in toxic dust and fall sick.

Last year, we teamed up @premiumtimes.bsky.social and @nytimes.com to report on how Nigerian battery recycling plants supplying U.S. carmakers poisoned a community in Ogijo. That investigation led to a documentary, which just won an @opcofamerica.bsky.social award! Watch it here:

In partnership with The Independent, Leslie Liang reports for @theexamination.org, on how the colorful packaging and fruity flavors that make nicotine pouches appealing to adults also make them tempting — and dangerous — for kids Read here: www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...

Nigeria joins Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire in banning cheap alcohol sold in plastic and foil pouches. Popular among youth, these products can cost less than $1 and contain up to 40% alcohol. That and more in our latest newsletter: examination.news/4boC5UL

Packaged like candy. Flavored like fruit. Enough nicotine to poison a child. Reports of nicotine pouch poisonings nearly doubled to 4,254 from 2024–2025, most involving kids under six. Regulators are struggling to keep up. examination.news/4sHKPMN

Chile’s warning labels cut sugar in packaged foods and drinks, but many companies reduced thesugar and added artificial sweeteners. Now they’re everywhere. Researchers say their long term health effects remain unclear. @willreport.bsky.social reports: examination.news/4stMh5f

Knock-off marijuana products sold in Wisconsin contained mold, pesticides, and illegal amounts of THC — two tested at over 200x the federal legal limit. These unregulated products could cause panic attacks, vomiting and seizures. Read more: www.theexamination.org/newsletter

⚠️ Juul paid an “independent” nicotine expert thousands to lobby the Israeli government against a high‑strength vape ban — raising questions about the integrity of the scientists influencing vaping policy. @mattchapman.bsky.social reports: www.youtube.com/shorts/nf7zL...

Europe’s biggest banana giant exposed its Ivory Coast farmworkers to toxic pesticides that are banned in the EU, and food industry-funded regulators in South Africa weakened a public health warning against sugar. More in this week’s newsletter: www.theexamination.org/newsletter

Barbie on sugary chocolate milk bottles is fine and vape ads can claim products are "less harmful" than cigarettes. Public health experts say SA’s ad industry watchdog has dangerous loopholes. Read more from @theexamination.org. bhekisisa.org/health-news-...

A South African regulator partially funded by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and KFC blocked an ad warning about sugar’s health risks. Now, a court may decide whether that ruling was fair. Our latest investigation with @bhekisisa.org ⬇️

Have you or someone you know had a health problem after consuming energy drinks? Help us report for a @theexamination.org investigation on one of the world's fastest growing beverage markets

Have you or someone you know experienced adverse health effects after consuming energy drinks? Help guide our global health reporters by filling out this survey: www.theexamination.org/articles/hel...

The Examination investigated the global business of recycling car batteries, revealing that communities are being poisoned by toxic dust from unsafe lead smelting. See how our reporting drove real change in Republic of Congo and how you can support this work. www.youtube.com/shorts/cI31C...

The Examination and @nytimes.com have won the Selden Ring Award for Investigative Reporting for exposing Nigerian battery recycling plants that were poisoning communities with lead. Our investigation prompted factory closures and government testing. Read more: bit.ly/4qsz8rw

The EU’s member states are negotiating a proposal to hike tobacco taxes for the first time since 2014. The latest draft weakens earlier proposals — a win for Big Tobacco, which has lobbied for lower taxes on its newest products. Published with @derstandard.at and @genevahealthfiles.bsky.social.

Across the globe, reporters are facing unprecedented threats, warns our Executive Director Ben Hallman. Here’s how you can help journalism in the moment it matters most ⬇️

Big Tech social media platforms are fighting lawsuits that some compare to those that forced Big Tobacco to pay billions and curb marketing in the U.S. Here’s how those lawsuits played out 👇

Residents of Gloster, Mississippi, say toxic emissions from a wood pellet factory owned by the U.K. bioenergy giant Drax have made them sick. The facility plans to increase production, despite its neighbors’ objections. Read more: bit.ly/3M2IGLK

Mississippi residents are linking air pollution from a wood pellet factory owned by Drax to illnesses, while the facility plans to emit more toxic chemicals. Plus, the alcohol industry ramps up lobbying as young people back off booze. More in this week’s newsletter: bit.ly/4a2DH5X

We are hiring a freelance investigative data reporter! 👔 3+ years experience as a data journalist 📍 Contracted, remote role 💰 $40-$50/hr ⏰ Deadline Feb 5, 2026 Learn more: www.theexamination.org/careers/inve...

The Examination is hiring for a senior development associate! 👔 3+ years of non-profit fundraising experience 📍 NYC or remote 💰 $85-95k ⏰ Deadline: Feb 4, 2026 www.theexamination.org/careers/seni...

Big Tobacco continues its winning streak against governments trying to recover smoking-related medical costs as a South Korean court dismisses a $36.5M lawsuit against KT&G, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco. Read more: bit.ly/3Zx3kXt

In this week’s newsletter: A legal win for Big Tobacco in South Korea continues their winning streak against governments seeking payment for the healthcare costs of smoking. Plus, parents of sick infants demand answers from Nestlé over baby formula recall. www.theexamination.org/newsletter

🚨 The Examination is hiring a Senior development associate to support our fundraising efforts with donors, foundations and partners. This is a full-time, remote or hybrid position, with preference given to NYC-based candidates. Apply by Feb. 4. www.theexamination.org/careers/seni...

📣 The Examination is hiring a freelance data reporter role to support our data team produce impactful investigations. This is a contracted, remote role. More details and how to apply: www.theexamination.org/careers/inve...

A global recall of Nestlé baby formula leaves governments in more than 50 countries scrambling. Plus, lawmakers demand answers after our investigation exposed undisclosed meetings between EU trade officials and tobacco giant Philip Morris International. Read the latest newsletter: bit.ly/4qmst2V

European lawmakers are demanding the EU Commission explain its dealings with tobacco giant Philip Morris International after @theexamination.org and @politico.eu found at least six undisclosed meetings between the two, which could violate a global tobacco control treaty. Read more: bit.ly/4qobehG

An investigation by The Examination traced extreme lead pollution in Ogijo, Nigeria to recycled car batteries entering the global auto supply chain – linking local contamination to international trade.

It’s the last week to apply to multiple full-time, remote roles at The Examination! Food reporter: 💰 $100K - $115K 📅 Deadline Jan. 16 Investigative editor: 💰 $130K - $150K 📅 Deadline Jan. 15 More details on the job, our team and how to apply: www.theexamination.org/about/jobs

Our investigation into lead contamination in Togo triggered a government probe into lead poisoning caused by dangerous battery recyclers, plus new restrictions on advertising junk foods on TV and online came into effect in the UK this week. Read more: bit.ly/49u8BUy

Some thoughts on the new dietary guidelines: The headline message of “Eat real food” is refreshingly clear and simple - and echoes how I'd explain my own views to a friend. HHS deserves credit for a message that is direct, understandable and goes beyond what the government has said before. (1/3)

Togo authorities are investigating lead contamination from battery recycling plants for the first time as scientists warn “urgent action” is needed to protect people nearby. The probe comes after we found dangerous levels of lead in soil and crops. bit.ly/49IM0EW

🔔 The Examination is hiring an investigative editor to lead our food and polluting industries reporting teams! 📍 Full-time, remote position 💰 $130K - $150K 📅 Deadline: January 15, 2026 Learn more: www.theexamination.org/careers/inve...

🚨The Examination is hiring a reporter on our food beat! We are seeking an experienced and collaborative journalist with a passion for investigating powerful actors that contribute to the global burden of diet-related disease. Apply by January 16 and learn more: www.theexamination.org/careers/food...

🗣️The Examination is hiring! We are seeking an experienced reporter to join our food team to craft stories on an industry whose products are among the leading causes of preventable disease worldwide. Deadline to apply is January 16, 2026. Learn more: www.theexamination.org/careers/food...

In this week’s newsletter: A roundup of our reporters’ most interesting, surprising, and disturbing discoveries. Plus, a look back at historical holiday advertising from Big Tobacco. Read more: bit.ly/4jdTHGf

The Nigerian government has closed battery recycling plants and begun cataloging damage in Ogijo after our investigation with @nytimes.com revealed lead poisoning. Officials plan to test soil, air and residents’ blood and are considering compensation. bit.ly/4pRwNHs

Our independent newsroom will never bow to corporate or political pressure. To keep going, we need support from people like you. Donate today: theexamination.org/donate

EU officials had a series of undisclosed meetings with Philip Morris International, then took actions that favored the company, raising questions about whether the EU breached its commitment to a global anti-tobacco treaty. Read more: bit.ly/4oSZKkF

When the world’s largest tobacco company needed help lifting international restrictions on its products, it enlisted an unlikely ally: the European Union, a leader in tobacco control. Read our joint investigation with @theexamination.org.

EU officials met with reps of Philip Morris International at least six times from September 2022 through 2024, documents show. The tobacco giant’s agenda? Enlist their help in lifting restrictions on its products. Read our investigation with @theexamination.org 👉 www.politico.eu/article/eu-t...

For decades, U.S. automakers knew that recycling lead for car batteries was poisoning people – and didn’t act. Listen to our investigation with @nytimes.com on the human cost behind the industry’s supply chain: