News tagged with 'Toxic Substances'

Minnesota health officials working with the CDC have matched the strain of salmonella taken from a five pound jar to the nationwide strain.  King Nut has recalled two types of its peanut butter. So far nearly 400 have been sickened and one woman has died. 

At least 48 Oregon National Guardsmen are reporting ill effects that may have come from an airborne carcinogen they contacted while working in southern Iraq. 16 National Guardsmen have filed suit against KBR for failing to disclose to the Army the toxin that covered the ground at a water plant in southern Iraq.

New consumer laws have been passed in the aftermath of a wave of toxic toy recalls last year, but, experts urge parents not to let their guard down when it comes to picking and choosing this year’s gifts.

Add smoking to the long list of risk factors for contracting colorectal cancer. Italian researchers find the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases by about 18 percent and the risk of dying  - about 25 percent.

The Environmental Working Group says it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars and places millions of babies yet to be born at risk, for the FDA to spend more years of research to conclude what thousands of scientists already know about the toxic chemical bisphenol A, or BPA.

Following several toy recalls last year, parents are likely to feel confused as they shop this holiday season. But, we assure you, there are safe toys out there and we have suggestions and tips to help make finding them easier.

The Ecology Center has released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in toys at HealthyToys.org. One-third of the toys tested had medium or high levels of chemical concern this year, including arsenic, lead, mercury and other harmful chemicals.

HealthyToys consumer guide to toxic chemicals tested 1,500 toys and found one third of them contained medium to high levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and other harmful chemicals.

The language "good manufacturing practices" were "used to segregate" any potential allergens, can be found on the labels of many products at Whole Foods Market. Only the claim is untrue finds an investigation by the Chicago Tribune.

A study out of a London University finds that phthalates in hairspray are linked to a genital birth defect in boys. The UK is ahead of the US in phasing out phthalates, a chemical used to make plastics soft that may be an endocrine disruptor.

A new plan released this week by the National Working Group for ACTTION says by 2020, all cigarette smokers will have access to smoking cessation treatments. But for now, start by joining Smokeout 08 and quit for a day, then quit for life, urges the American Cancer Society.

A recently published analysis by the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel revealed that plastic products labeled "microwave safe" release "toxic doses" of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA).

The Seattle Times finds that no one is tracking the explosion in MRSA rates and there is no consistent policy for screening for the staph infection in hospitals.  Testing and isolation of infected patients and carriers is the only way of containing the infection as well as washing your hands.

Amphibians are being killed by a cocktail of common pesticides that blend downstream. They are considered a foreshadow of human harm. In the meantime, the USDA has stopped issuing reports of national pesticide use, saving $8 million.

An FDA alert has been issued on all milk products from China. They now must be checked before coming into the U.S. for the presence of melamine.  The FDA says there are no products in the U.S. but this represents increased security.