Wal-Mart has announced that it is immediately removing baby bottles and other products made with bisphenol A (BPA) from its Canadian stores presently, and baby bottles containing BPA from its U.S. stores next year, coupled with Nalgene's announced plans to phase out all BPA bottles was applauded by environmental health organizations.
Several groups have stepped up their call for BPA restrictions with the release of new findings of BPA in baby bottles, infant formula cans, Nalgene bottles and human samples. Wal-Mart's and Nalgene's announcements come on the heels of new U.S. and Canadian government warnings just this week: On Tuesday, the U.S. National Institute of Health declared evidence of links to cancer from bisphenol A. A coalition petition drive to ban BPA from all baby bottles can be found at www.babystoxicbottle.org.
(4-29-08)
Being informed about Lyme disease is the best way to avoid getting infected. Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses are alarmingly on the rise, with 49 of the 50 states reporting thousands of new cases every year. Most of these cases are children. The Northeast is considered a high-risk location for Lyme as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How informed are you about Lyme disease? Why not take the test and see? Answer True or False.
1. Lyme Disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium carried in certain ticks.
2. People with Lyme disease always develop a bull's eye rash.
3. The diagnostic tests for Lyme disease are always reliable.
4. Ticks prefer bright sunlight and dry open fields.
5. Light colored clothing helps to identify ticks crawling on you.
6. Lyme disease can be contagious through casual contact.
7. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment reduces the risk of long-term illness.
8. The longer a tick is attached, the greater the probability of transmission of the bacterium causing Lyme disease.
How did you do? Here are the answers:
1. True. Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by a complex corkscrew shaped bacterium called a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi).
2. False. Not everyone with Lyme disease gets a bull's eye rash (Erythema Migrans). This rash sometimes begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days. The rash can expand over a period of several days and its center may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a bull's eye appearance, but it can also appear like a bruise in dark skinned people and take many other shapes and sizes. It may be warm but is not usually painful. The bull's eye rash is a definitive symptom of Lyme disease.
3. False. Most tests currently available are indirect detection tests (the immune system's response to the disease), and look for antibodies to Lyme disease spirochetes, not the bacteria. A Johns Hopkins University study concluded that current tick tests are unreliable and that Lyme disease is particularly difficult to diagnose in its early stages when it is most treatable with antibiotics. The diagnosis should be a clinical one based upon signs and symptoms, tick exposure and evaluation of test results. Currently, no tests can rule out Lyme disease. A person can test negative, but still have Lyme disease.
4. False. Ticks prefer tall grass, moist, wooded or leaf-littered areas.
5. True. When outdoors whenever possible, wear light-colored clothing, so ticks are more visible to you.
6. False. You cannot catch Lyme disease from other people as one might catch a common cold.
7. True. The outcome is generally successful if an early diagnosis is identified and adequate medical treatment is received. An early diagnosis is complicated by the inaccuracy of current tests and because symptoms may appear days, weeks, months or even years after an infected tick bite. Like syphilis in the 19th century, Lyme Disease has been called the great imitator and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rheumatologic and neurological conditions, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, somatization disorder and any difficult to diagnose multi-symptom illness.
8. True. Generally transmission occurs after the tick has had a full feeding and empties the contents of its midgut where the bacteria are found, into the host. Other factors may play a role in earlier transmission of the bacteria such as improper tick removal or presence of the bacteria in the saliva of the tick.
For more information, visit www.timeforlyme.org.
(2-19-08)
Hundreds of people in America die every year from carbon monoxide produced by fuel-burning appliances in and around the home. "Most cases result from using poorly installed gas appliances, running gasoline-powered engines in garages, using gas-burning stoves to heat homes or cooking with charcoal inside homes," says Dr. Kurt Kleinschmidt, an emergency medicine and toxicology physician at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas without color or odor, is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels including charcoal, wood, oil and gas. In the winter months, these fuels often power indoor furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters and vehicles. Unfortunately, the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are like many common illnesses with symptoms that include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness.
Here are some tips to avoid exposure:
- Ensure all appliances are installed properly and never use gas-powered kitchen appliances – such as a stove – to heat your home.
- Don't leave vehicles running in an attached garage.
- Avoid burning charcoal or using fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent.
- Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in rooms with closed doors or windows or in any room where people sleep.
Dr. Kleinschmidt also strongly recommends installing carbon monoxide detectors for added protection. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately, call the fire department and seek medical care.
(1-08-08)
The addition of colorful ornaments and sparkling lights during the holiday season can quickly create potential safety hazards for kids.
"While it's important to be fun and festive this time of year it is also important for parents to be aware of hidden dangers the holidays can bring," says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List (www.angieslist.com), a Web site where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 280 different categories. "And, at the holidays with the addition of ornaments, candles and even wrapping paper and ribbon around the house, the opportunity for injuries to occur increases, especially among children."
Hicks says that it's important for parents to take a look around their home from a child's perspective. "So much of childproofing is common sense," Hicks says. "Getting on your hands and knees and crawling around your home is actually a good idea. You'll be surprised at the things you see from that angle."
As you prepare your home for the holidays, Angie's List identifies 13 potential hazards you should be aware of to protect your child.
- Holiday trees: Buy an artificial tree that's fire retardant and keep all types of trees away from heat sources. Kids could climb a tree or knock it over. Use fire-safe materials such as wire or nylon rope to secure your tree and keep it from tipping over. Vacuum or sweep around your live tree every few days, especially later in the holiday season because needles from holiday trees can also cause painful cuts in the mouth and throat if a child swallows them.
- Lights: Check that your lights have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories or ETL Testing Laboratories. Only use lights that have fuses, and check each set of lights for broken, frayed or damaged parts. Hang them out of reach of small children.
- Trimming the tree: Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded materials, and it also might be the year to avoid using strings of garland, especially on low-hanging branches.
- Decorations: Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, and keep small or glass ornaments out of your child's reach. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt the child to put the object in their mouth. Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry plants and other plants are commonly used as decorations during the holidays. Like many plants, these are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children.
- Wrapping paper and gifts: Secure bows and ribbons on gifts, or don't use them. And, as gifts are opened, dispose of wrapping paper, bows and ribbon, as well as bubble wrap used for packing in gifts.
- Candles: Children could knock candles over, creating a fire hazard. Never leave young children unattended around candles.
- Electrical outlets: Cover electrical outlets, including those on power strips, to prevent children from sticking fingers or objects into the socket.
- Dangling tablecloths: Make sure the edges of the cloth are out of reach from crawling children.
- Cooking: All the cooking going on during the holidays creates more opportunities for burns. Keep pot handles turned away from the front of the stove and always keep the oven door closed. Watch your children while you are baking or cooking in order to prevent accidents.
- Treats: Keep all candies, nuts, popcorn and small holiday treats that may be a choking hazard out of reach of children.
- Alcohol poisoning: Alcohol poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday season. Many parents host holiday parties where alcohol is served. Remove all empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Because children imitate adults, many may drink the beverages they see adults drinking.
- Outdoor snow activities: Make sure your children are wearing helmets, boots and goggles when participating in outdoor activities such as sledding.
- Visiting another home: When visiting another person's home during the holidays, don't assume they have taken precautions to protect your children. Do a thorough inspection of the home and holiday décor to find any safety hazards before your child does.
(11-27-07)
An exhaustive study analyzing years of scientific research has conclusively determined that a type of chemical targeted for a ban poses no risk to children when it is used in toys, according to a report released by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). The TIA, which commissioned the report, says it disproves any justification for Assembly Bill 1108 (Ma).
Currently pending in the California Legislature, the bill seeks to ban toys using di-isononyl phthalates (DINP), the principle ingredient used to make vinyl toys soft, thereby helping reduce or eliminate potential choking hazards.
"Although well intentioned, AB 1108 is based on a contrived problem that does not exist according to the weight of international science," says Joan Lawrence, TIA's Vice President for Safety Standards and Regulatory Affairs. "Toy safety is TIA's No. 1 priority and we have supported the development of stringent toy safety standards throughout the world. But after exhaustive research and a thorough review of multiple international studies it is clear that toys containing DINP do not pose a risk to children's health."
The independently conducted report reviewed more than 140 separate scientific papers, studies and research documents investigating "phthalates." The analysis looked at a wide body of scientific evidence, including studies promoted by AB 1108 supporters, as well as research conducted in Japan, the Netherlands, Canada, the European Union and by a wide range of U.S. environmental and consumer agencies.
Exponent, a nationally renowned consulting firm made up of scientists, physicians, engineers and regulatory experts who perform in-depth scientific research and analysis, conducted the study.
A summary of its 69-page report found the following:
"There was no data identified that support the occurrence of developmental toxicity from DINP in humans." In other words, no negative effects on the human reproductive system were found.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory
agencies have repeatedly determined that DINP can be safely used in
children's toys, despite the fact that they "overestimated" the
actual amount of exposure children might have to DINP products.
Overall, the assessments "conclude that the current exposure of
children to DINP-containing toys would pose a minimal to nonexistent
risk of health effect."
More information may be found at www.toy-tia.org. (9-18-07)
The hot, moist weather many areas of the country are experiencing from the combination of rain and heat can lead to a skin rash commonly referred to as heat rash or prickly heat.
Prickly heat occurs when sweat glands clog and sweat becomes trapped beneath the skin. It typically results in a patch of little red bumps, usually arising on the neck, upper chest, elbows, groin, under arms or under breasts, where skin folds touch. It can occur at any age, but is more often found on the elderly and on babies, whose parents may overdress them and as a result they have trouble cooling off.
"Heat rashes aren't serious, but they can be annoying," says Dr. Amit Pandya, professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, who says medical treatment isn't usually needed. "A heat rash should go away on its own after moving to a cooler environment and exposing the affected area to more air."
Loosen clothing around the affected area or wash the area with a cold cloth, then let it air dry. Try calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching, but Dr. Pandya says avoid lotions, which can further clog the skin. To help avoid heat rash, try drying the area after a shower and using powders such as baby or talcum powder.
Occasionally, a yeast infection may occur in affected body folds, which appears as more intense redness and small bumps. This is especially common in people with diabetes. An over-the-counter medicated cream or powder designed to treat yeast and fungus may be used for such infections. If you are uncertain as to the cause of the rash, consult a physician.
(8-21-07)
On average, more than two children's products are recalled each week in the United States. Recalls on children's products represent more than 40 percent of recalls by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and account for more than 50 percent of injuries due to recalled products. A new study cautions that parents shopping for children's products on online auction sites should be aware of the potential danger of buying recalled toys and other goods.
The study, published in Injury Prevention, found a variety of previously recalled children's products for sale on the Internet's most popular auction site, with several of the products recalled more than five years ago.
According to the study, during a one-month period, 190 auctions contained or were suspected to contain a recalled children's item from a target list of 141 products. On average, six bids were placed on each recalled item, with 70 percent of the auctions eventuating in a sale.
"Although the CPSC is charged with notifying the public of recalled items, these results demonstrate that potentially hazardous products are still circulating online," says Dr. Gary Smith, the study's senior author and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital. "A multi-front initiative to decrease the presence of hazards in online auctions is needed."
Dr. Smith says this initiative should include increased manufacturer efforts to improve recall return rates; a requirement by online auction sites that sellers verify non-recall status before item posting; and parental checks of the government recall Web site before item purchase.
(8-14-07)
Two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank has committed to grow, cut and share
her long hair with Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This incredibly personal donation
will be part of a year-long association between leading actress Swank and Pantene's
unique charitable campaign.
In her new role, Swank will star in a Pantene Beautiful Lengths print public
service announcement (PSA) and encourage people across the United States and Canada
to follow her example.
Pantene is a brand that knows the importance of healthy, beautiful hair and the
impact that it has on a women's sense of self. That's why, one year ago, Pantene
partnered with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) to create Pantene Beautiful
Lengths, a campaign that inspires people to grow, cut and donate their healthy
hair to make free real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer
treatment.
"I have lost multiple family members to cancer and witnessed their struggle firsthand,"
Swank says. "I've never heard of anything quite like Pantene Beautiful Lengths,
and I'm proud to be asked to promote the goals of such a unique and heartfelt
program. It's an honor to be associated with Pantene's campaign, and I just hope
that my contribution will help to inspire others to get involved in whatever way
they can."
Since its launch in July 2006, Pantene Beautiful Lengths has attracted the hearts
and the hair of women, men and children across the continent. Regardless of whether
individuals donate in a private gesture at their local salon or join others in
the growing phenomenon of community cutting events, their generosity has already
resulted in more than 17,000 ponytail donations overall, a Guinness World Record
and the distribution of 2,000 free, real-hair wigs.
For more information about Pantene Beautiful Lengths and ways to participate,
visit www.beautifullengths.com. (7-31-07)
Nearly 10,000 youth ice hockey injuries were reported among 10- to 15-years-olds by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) and the Hockey Canada Insurance Database (HCID), according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results from a study published in Pediatrics found that older players in a certain age cohort (i.e. those born from January to March) were at increased risk of injury than their younger peers (those born from October to December).
The increased risk of injury for relatively older players was greatest for those playing at the highest levels of competition. Increased susceptibility to injury could be because these players are playing longer and more often. Ultimately, however, future research is required to find out the reason for this increased risk of injury. The type and severity of injuries did not change from one age group to another.
(7-31-07)
A new survey sponsored by LYSOL brand products reveals Americans are ignorant to the potential germ hazards threatening their children. Only 5 percent identify the home as the place where children are most likely to catch an infection when, in fact, studies show that there is a greater risk of transmission within the home than outside.
The survey, part of a global effort by the Hygiene Council to educate the public about the importance of hygiene for family wellness, also found a mere 3 percent of Americans believe the bathtub poses the greatest risk of transmitting germs to themselves or their children. However, the bathtub is one of the germiest surfaces in the home. A recent study found staph aureus, the most common cause of serious staph infections, in 26 percent of bathtubs tested, versus only 6 percent of garbage cans.
The Hygiene Council survey also found that four out of 10 Americans admit they most regularly clean their kitchen surfaces with a dishtowel or sponge, both of which can harbor and spread dangerous bacteria. When asked how long they believe germs can survive on surfaces, only 13 percent were aware that some viruses can live on common surfaces, such as countertops and door handles, for up to a full month. The majority, 33 percent, believe the lifespan to be only days.
These surfaces can contain up to the following number of bacteria:
Bathtub: Up to 250,000 total bacteria per square inch
Sponge: Up to 250,000 total bacteria per square inch
Kitchen Faucet Handle: Up to 25,000 total bacteria per square inch
Kitchen Floor: Up to 3,500 total bacteria per square inch
Kitchen Counter Top: Up to 2,500 total bacteria per square inch
Bathroom Sink: Up to 2,500 total bacteria per square inch
Pet Food Dish: Up to 2,500 total bacteria per square inch
The survey solicited data from more than 10,000 people in 10 countries. The Hygiene Council, comprised of leading scientists from around the globe, works to dispel myths about germs and educate consumers about basic hygiene practices, such as proper hand washing, food handling and regular surface disinfection.
For further information, visit www.lysol.com.
(7-24-07)
See parents helping parents in action! 
