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17 Aug

Health Experts Alarmed by Borax Challenge, Latest Tik Tok Trend

Videos showing people consuming borax for its alleged health benefits are all over social media, but experts warn this white powder commonly used in laundry detergent and other cleaning products poses serious health dangers.

28 Jul

Pot Poisonings on the Rise, New Study Finds

Marijuana poisonings increase after legalization of the drug and edibles appear to be a major cause, according to a new review.

Health News Results - 120

ER Visits for Infant, Child Melatonin Poisonings Are Soaring

As more Americans pop over-the-counter melatonin to help them sleep, their young children are increasingly showing up in ERs after accidentally ingesting the supplements.

A new report of data from 2012 through 2021 finds a 420% rise in such cases during that time, along with a 530% inc...

Is a 'Universal' Snake Venom Antidote Near?

A “universal” antivenom can block the lethal toxins in the venoms of a wide variety of poisonous snakes found in Africa, Asia and Australia, researchers report.

The antibody protected mice from the normally deadly venom of snakes like black mambas and king cobras, according to findings published Feb. 21 in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 23, 2024
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  • Cinnamon Processor in Ecuador Is Culprit Behind Lead-Tainted Applesauce, FDA Says

    A company in Ecuador that processed the cinnamon used in flavored applesauce pouches destined for the American market is the likely source of lead contamination in those products, U.S. investigators said.

    In an update to its investigatio...

    'Hidden Killer' Radon Could Raise Your Stroke Risk

    Radon, an invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas, appears to raise a person's risk of stroke, a new study suggests.

    Already known as the second leading cause of lung cancer, these new findings suggest exposure to radon can increase risk of stroke by as much as 14%, according to a report published Jan. 31 in the journal Neurology.

    “Our research found an increased r...

    FDA Issues Another Warning on Tianeptine Products, Which Can Cause Seizures and Death

    Reiterating a warning first issued in November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is urging Americans to stay away from supplements containing tianeptine, known on the street as "gas station heroin."

    The supplements, sold under the brand name Neptune's Fix online and at gas stations and convenience stores, can cause seizures, unconsciousness and even death.

    "FDA is warning consu...

    Detergent Pod Poisoning Threat to Kids Hasn't Gone Away

    The health dangers posed by colorful detergent pods continues to plague young children, a new study warns.

    U.S. poison control centers still receive one call every 44 minutes about a young child who's been harmed through exposure to a liquid laundry detergent pod, researchers report.

    The steady stream of calls is evidence that voluntary standards adopted by detergent manufacturers i...

    As Blizzards Bear Down, Stay Safe From Carbon Monoxide Dangers

    With blizzards and possible power outages threatening much of America this week, some dangers might not be immediately obvious: carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and electric shock.

    “I urge consumers to follow CPSC's safety tips to prepare ahead of storms to prevent loss of life in a storm's aftermath," said Alex Ho...

    Lead-Tainted Applesauce May Contain Another Toxin, Chromium

    Applesauce fruit puree pouches under recall and investigation for toxic lead levels may also contain another toxin, chromium, according to an update released Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    The products under recall are Wana...

    Tejocote Supplements Sold Online at Amazon, Etsy May Contain Fatal Poison: FDA

    Tejocote weight-loss supplements sold through online through Amazon or Etsy could contain a highly toxic substance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning.

    FDA tests revealed that capsules labeled as tejocote instead contained yellow oleander, a poisonous plant native to Mexico and Central America.

    The FDA found yellow oleander in nine different products labeled as tejocot...

    EPA to Ban Carcinogenic Chemical Found in Degreasers, Cleaners

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to ban a cancer-causing chemical commonly used as a furniture cleaner and degreaser.

    The ban would prohibit most uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) within one year. Limited remaining commercial and industrial uses would be phased out over a longer period and would require stringent worker protections.

    “Today, EPA is taking a vit...

    Parks, Playgrounds Built on Old Dump Sites Could Be Hotspots for Lead

    That beautiful park you walk through could be hiding dangerous levels of lead. So, too, could the soil under the play equipment where your children slide and swing.

    New research in the United States finds that urban parks built on sites where waste was incinerated could be hotspots for lead.

    “We found that city parks and playgrounds built on the site of a former waste incine...

    Higher Levels of Toxic Metals Found in Blood, Urine of Regular Marijuana Users

    Marijuana users may be building up high levels of toxic metals in their blood, a new study suggests.

    According to researchers, people who use marijuana exclusively have significant levels of lead and cadmium in their bodies. These are the same toxic metals found in some cigarette smokers.

    Marijuana is the world's third most commonly used drug, behind tobacco and alcohol.

    "Like...

    As Another Hurricane Targets Florida, Experts Warn of Carbon Monoxide Dangers

    Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall in the United States Wednesday.

    Idalia was forecast to be a powerful Category 3 storm by the time it reaches Florida's Big Bend, an area prone to storm surge that stretches from Tampa to just south of Tallahassee. It's also expected to hit eastern parts of Georgia and the Carolinas before heading out to sea late Thursday or early Friday.

    It Only Takes a Bite of a Marijuana Edible to Send a Child to the Hospital

    Brightly colored "edibles" can be tempting for young kids and are more widely available now that many U.S. states have legalized cannabis for recreational and medical use.

    Unfortunately, it doesn't take much of an edible to make a small child very sick, new research finds, which may explain an uptick in hospitalizations of kids poisoned by cannabis.

    “There are many studies de...

    Another Source of Lead Exposure for Kids: Secondhand Smoke

    One source of lead exposure in children may surprise you.

    It's secondhand smoke, according to a Texas A&M University study.

    “Further research will likely paint a clearer picture of this exposure route, especially in younger children, but the finding...

    Ignore That New TikTok Trend: Eating Borax Is Dangerous

    Despite what you see on TikTok, don't consume the laundry powder borax to relieve pain and inflammation or boost bone health.

    Even though videos on the social media site tout it as a treatment, this substance is not safe to consume and could cause kidney failure and multi-organ damage, one expert says.

    Dr....

    With Marijuana's Legalization, Cannabis Poisonings Are on the Rise

    In recent years, the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana has become the new normal across much of North America.

    The problem: New research finds that as legalization has spread, so have cases of cannabis poisoning.

    “We did a systematic review of published studies reporting on what happened to the rates of poisoning after legalization or decriminalization,�...

    Steady Rise in Vape Product Poisonings Among Kids Under 5

    The number of cases of vape product-related poisonings reported to America's poison control centers doubled between 2018 and early 2023, a new report finds.

    The bulk of those cases were in kids under the age of 5.

    “The public should be aware that e-cigarettes have the potential to cause poisoning exposure and are a continuing public health concern,” warned a team of resea...

    'Forever Chemicals' Used in Furniture May Not Help Fabrics Resist Stains

    Some furniture fabrics are coated with questionable PFAS compounds -- often called 'forever chemicals' -- to repel stains, but a new study suggests they may not even do the job they're supposed to.

    The chemicals, widely believed to have a negative impact on human health, don't seem to keep furniture any more or less stain-resistant than untreated fabric, according to a new study.

    Report Finds Big Rise in U.S. Carbon Monoxide Deaths

    A new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning are increasing in the United States.

    The report looked at carbon monoxide (CO) deaths from 2009 to 2019, finding 250 consumer product-related CO deaths in 2019, more than any other year.

    Generators and other engine-driven tools accounted for the largest percentage ...

    Opioids Cause Half of All Poisonings in U.S. Kids Age 5 and Younger

    Opioids pose the greatest poison risk to children in the United States, accounting for more than half of poisoning deaths in infants and toddlers, a new study reports.

    About 52% of poisoning deaths of children aged 5 and younger in 2018 involved the ingestion of an opioid, according to findings published online March 8 in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 8, 2023
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  • How Are Toxins Like Lead, Arsenic Getting Into Baby Foods?

    Parents in the United States may assume baby food is free of impurities, but a recent research review highlights the much different reality: Most foods made for babies and toddlers have some amount of toxic heavy metals.

    The contaminants include metals, such as lead and arsenic, that can harm brain development, and contribute to learning and behavior problems in children. And they are fou...

    Black Hairdressers May Be at High Risk From Toxic Chemicals

    Black and Hispanic women who work as hairdressers are exposed to an array of chemicals, including many that have not been previously identified, a small study finds.

    Researchers found that compared with women of color in office jobs, hair stylists had higher levels of various chemicals in their urine. Those substances included expected ones -- ingredients known to be in salon products -- ...

    Silent Killer: Shield Your Family From Carbon Monoxide

    Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless killer, but even during winter heating season, it's possible to stay safe.

    This dangerous gas is produced when fuels burn incompletely.

    This can happen in furnaces, both gas- and wood-burning fireplaces, space heaters and vehicles that burn fossil fuel. It's also possible in water heaters, gas clothes dryers and stoves, as well as other equipmen...

    Kids Living Near Airports Face Lead Poisoning Dangers

    While U.S. policymakers have attempted to lower lead exposure among children since the 1970s, new research finds that kids living near airports are still being exposed to dangerous levels of the heavy metal.

    “Across an ensemble of tests, we find consistent evidence that the blood lead levels of children residing near the airport are pushed upward by the deposition of leaded aviation ga...

    Does Your Home Have Dangerous Levels of Cancer-Causing Radon?

    People should test for the naturally occurring radioactive gas radon in their homes to help prevent ill health, the American Lung Association urges.

    In some areas, like the state of Connecticut, radon was found to be present at high levels in a quarter (26%) of all homes.

    Radon is emitted from the ground and can enter a house through floor cracks, basement walls and foundations.

    ...

    As Popularity of Weed Edibles Rises, So Do Accidental Poisonings in Kids

    As more U.S. states legalize marijuana, the number of preschoolers accidentally eating cannabis "edibles" is rising in tandem, a new study shows.

    In the past five years, U.S. poison control centers have witnessed a whopping 14-fold increase in calls about youngsters who got their hands on marijuana edibles.

    In 2017, there were just 207 cases reported nationally. By 2021, that had b...

    In U.S., Minority Communities More Likely to Have Water Contaminated by Toxic Metals

    U.S. communities with higher Hispanic, American Indian or Black populations also have the highest concentrations of metal in public water systems, new research reveals.

    Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City found significantly higher arsenic and uranium levels in public drinking water in Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native communities...

    Winter Brings Rise in Carbon Monoxide Danger: Stay Safe

    Winter weather brings with it plenty of hazards, including risks from carbon monoxide poisoning, and fires.

    But the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers suggestions for staying safe on those cold winter nights.

    When storms knock out power...

    Lead Toxin Concerns Spur Recall of Toddler Sippy Cups

    Parents whose toddlers use certain Green Sprouts bottles or cups need to discard them immediately because of a risk of lead exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.

    When the base of the cups come apart, it exposes a solder dot that contains lead, according to a

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 28, 2022
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  • More U.S. Kids Are Heading to ERs After Drinking Cough Suppressant

    Increasing numbers of young children are showing up in emergency rooms after accidentally ingesting the cough suppressant benzonatate, U.S. health officials reported Tuesday.

    Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough suppressant first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1958 for children ages 10 and up. It works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and airways.

    "Benz...

    Growing Up With Lead in Drinking Water May Dull Brain in Old Age

    Lead is known to damage young children's brains, and a new study suggests the effects may still be apparent in old age.

    Researchers found that among nearly 1,100 older U.S. adults, those who grew up in cities with lead-contaminated drinking water generally scored worse on tests of memory and thinking skills.

    The findings, experts said, suggest that older adults who were exposed to l...

    Child Danger: Almost Half of Parents Have Leftover Meds at Home

    Getting into prescription or over-the-counter medicines at home is a major source of accidental poisoning for young children.

    Yet, nearly half of parents say they have leftover prescriptions at home, a new poll shows.

    "We found that it's common for parents to keep m...

    Experts Issue Warning About Carbon Monoxide Dangers Ahead of Hurricane Ian

    As Florida and nearby states brace for the potential impact of Hurricane Ian, residents in the storm's path should also think about the hazards they may face in its aftermath.

    If high winds take out your electricity, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers tips for staying safe.

    First, be cautious about using a generator. The carbon monoxide (CO) from a porta...

    Depression, PTSD Plague Flint Residents 5 Years After Water Crisis

    An unprecedented water crisis continues to take a heavy toll on the mental health of adults in Flint, Michigan, a large survey shows.

    Five years after the crisis, an estimated one in five — about 13,600 people — remained clinically depressed, the survey found. And about one in four — 1...

    Pregnant Women Face Exposures to Dangerous Chemicals Daily

    Pregnant women are exposed to toxic chemicals in dishware, hair coloring, plastics and pesticides that can heighten their risk of cancer and harm child development, a new study warns.

  • By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 30, 2022
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  • Lead Poisoning Plus Systemic Racism Are Harming Black Kids' Test Scores

    It's well known that exposure to lead can harm young children's brain development. Now a new study suggests that racial segregation may be compounding the detrimental effects of lead on Black children.

    The study, of close to 26,000 schoolchildren, found that Black children with elevated blood lead levels had wo...

    Melatonin Poisoning Cases Soaring Among U.S. Kids

    It's a startling statistic: A new study finds the number of kids accidentally poisoned by the over-the-counter sleep aid melatonin has soared by 530% over the past decade.

    For most children, the overdose only causes excessive sleepiness, but for some it can result in hospitalization and even ...

    PCBs Still a Health Threat Around the World

    Nations are falling short in their efforts to get rid of toxic PCB chemicals that pose a risk to human health and the environment, researchers report.

    "We're only six years out from the Stockholm Convention's deadline to responsibly eliminate PCB stocks, but shockingly little progress has been made," said study co-author Lisa Melymuk, an assistant professor of environmental chemistry at M...

    Pregnant American Women Are Facing Higher Exposures to Chemicals

    Exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is on the rise among pregnant women in the United States, a new study warns.

    "This is the first time we've been able to measure the amounts of chemicals in such a large and diverse group of pregnant women - not just identify chemicals," ...

    Your Take-Out Coffee Cup May Shed Trillions of Plastic 'Nanoparticles'

    Maybe you ask the barista for cream with your coffee, and possibly sugar as well.

    But new research shows that paper cup of joe you grab off the coffeehouse counter contains another ingredient, and it's one you might not care for - trillions of tiny plastic particles that leach into your hot java from...

    More Pets Being Poisoned by Cannabis

    With marijuana now legal in many U.S. states, some veterinarians are seeing more cases of cannabis poisoning in dogs and other pets, according to a new survey.

    The poll, of 251 vets in Canada and the United States, found that those incidents usually end well: Most animals recover quickly, without needing a hospital stay.

    But in some cases, more intense treatment is needed. And a sma...

    Some Pot Edibles Mimic Candy, Raising Dangers for Kids

    Marijuana edibles that mimic the packaging of popular snack foods pose a risk to children, a new study warns.

    Researchers looked at the packaging of more than 200 types of edible marijuana products and found that nearly one in 10 resembled commercial snacks foods, including candies and chips....

    Lead Exposure Harms Kids in Many Ways

    New studies add to the extensive body of research showing the many risks that lead poses to youngsters.

    The association between lead exposure and children's IQ is well-documented, but these Univers...

    EPA Proposes to Ban Last Form of Asbestos Used in U.S.

    A proposed rule to ban ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos imported into the United States has been introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    The ban would apply to chrysotile asbestos, which is known to cause cancer and is found in products like asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaske...

    What Pet Poop Reveals About Toxins in Your Home

    Your pet's poop and pee may give you clues to how many cancer-causing toxins have taken up residence in your home.

    "Our findings suggest that pets are coming into contact with aromatic amines that leach from products in their household environment," said study author Sridhar Chinthakindi, a postdoctoral fellow at NYU Langone Health in New York City.

    "As these substances have been t...

    Home COVID Tests Can Cause Harm If Not Stored Safely: FDA

    At-home COVID-19 tests are a key tool in containing the spread of the coronavirus. But a few safety precautions are in order to prevent serious injury, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

    The tests can cause harm if they're not used according to manufacturers' instructions, and they also need to be kept out of reach from children and pets, the FDA said.

    It said it has recei...

    Half of Americans Live With Legacy of Childhood Lead Poisoning

    If you were born before 1996, there's a good chance you were exposed to high levels of lead as a kid, and new research suggests this may have harmed your IQ and boosted your chances of lead-related health concerns down the road.

    "A significant proportion of Americans alive today had very high lead exposure as children...

    Why Is Cancer-Linked Benzene in So Many Personal Care Products?

    Dozens of different spray products -- deodorants, shampoos, sunscreens, athlete's foot treatments -- have been recalled in recent months due to contamination with the cancer-causing chemical benzene.

    Most recently, six Brut and Sure aerosol antiperspirants

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  • February 24, 2022
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  • FDA Warns of Rising Dangers of Unapproved Drug Tianeptine

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued another pointed warning about the dangers posed by tianeptine, an antidepressant that is not approved for any type of medical treatment in the United States.

    Topping the list of possible risks from ta...

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