الجمعة، 31 أغسطس 2018
الخميس، 30 أغسطس 2018
الأربعاء، 29 أغسطس 2018
الثلاثاء، 28 أغسطس 2018
Public Outrage Continues About EPA Asbestos Policy
As of this writing on August 21, the Environmental Protection Agency still considers the SNUR or "significant new use rule" that would allow new uses of asbestos after required notice to the EPA to be at the proposed-rule stage. It remains to be seen whether the agency will finalize the rule after it considers the public comments submitted, which number almost 6,000, according to the federal regulations.gov website.
We recently published a post describing the background of this EPA proposal. As we said, many experts and advocates across the country widely and forcefully criticize the proposed rule, which would allow new uses of asbestos in building materials with proper EPA notice and approval.
It is widely known that asbestos causes fatal cancers and other horrible diseases and that no level of exposure is acceptable. That our government would propose new uses of the deadly mineral is beyond the comprehension of people who understand its properties. In fact, the EPA has even said it will not consider the historical evidence of harmful inclusion in building materials and landfills when the agency looks at whether to approve future uses.
Examples of current criticism:
- EcoWatch asks why instead of looking at new uses we are not instead moving toward a total ban like those in 65 other countries.
- The Herald-Dispatch notes that analyzing the safety of new uses in a vacuum that does not look at the "wealth of information from the past" will be "flawed."
- CNN published an article by Linda Reinstein, a well-known anti-asbestos advocate, who questions why President Trump loves asbestos and calls on Congress to "hold the EPA accountable and demand they do their job."
We will continue to use this space to keep readers up to date on further developments regarding this SNUR.
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الاثنين، 27 أغسطس 2018
الأحد، 26 أغسطس 2018
السبت، 25 أغسطس 2018
الجمعة، 24 أغسطس 2018
الخميس، 23 أغسطس 2018
Are Consumers at Risk for Asbestos Exposure from Dietary Supplements?
Much has been written regarding the link between talc and mesothelioma, including our recent blog. However, a new Consumer Lab Answer suggests that the use of talc in products outside of talcum powder might ultimately prove hazardous to individuals.
With the potential dangers of talcum powder use and the recent verdict, many consumers are hesitant to trust any product containing talc. Talc is added to dietary supplements for various reasons including as an anti-clumping agent and is "generally recognized as safe" as a food additive by the FDA.
Most talc mines are heavily contaminated with asbestos because the veins of asbestos and talc run together in the mines. Unless the talc product has been tested by independent specialty labs using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) then one cannot be certain whether or not the talc is contaminated with asbestos.
What Can Cause the Contamination?
Since talc and asbestos are often mined and found near each other naturally, talc products can often be contaminated with asbestos. For this reason, the FDA has a long history of encouraging mining practices intended to keep talc free of asbestos.
Asbestos exposure, whether ingested or inhaled, can lead to devastating medical conditions such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. If you were diagnosed or lost a loved one to one of these serious diseases, we encourage you to discuss your situation with a skilled legal professional today.
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الأربعاء، 22 أغسطس 2018
الثلاثاء، 21 أغسطس 2018
Poliovirus Used in Experimental Brain Cancer Treatment
The virus that causes polio may increase the survival rate and extend life expectancy among patients with glioblastoma, a common and lethal brain cancer. Researches have created a modified virus that is creating amazing results. In the clinical trial, 21% of the patients that received the modified poliovirus are expected to live longer than expected compared to the 4% treated with only traditional chemotherapy.
The Virus
The modified virus can infect and kill brain tumors while simultaneously triggering the patients' immune system to attack the tumors. Researchers created the hybrid virus by removing one of the virus' genes and replacing it with one harmless one from rhinovirus, which causes the common cold; this insures that the patient will not contract polio during the trial. Additionally, the trial is unique because the treatment does not kill brain cells, but releases tumor antigens that trigger the body's immune response.
Opening Doors for New Treatments
Dr. Mathias Gromeier is the co-author of the study and a professor of neurosurgery at Duke University's School of Medicine. He admits that this clinical trial is only a first step to opening doors for several new trials. In the next few weeks, researchers will go beyond brain cancer patients and begin poliovirus trials on patients with skin and breast cancer.
The second phase of the trial will combine the genetically modified poliovirus with one dose of chemotherapy. This phase will also include pediatric patients with brain tumors for the first time. Since it is typically very difficult to treat brain tumors, researchers expect improved results during the next round of the trial because of the additional chemotherapy element.
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الاثنين، 20 أغسطس 2018
الأحد، 19 أغسطس 2018
السبت، 18 أغسطس 2018
الجمعة، 17 أغسطس 2018
الخميس، 16 أغسطس 2018
Public Alarm at EPA Proposal that Would Allow New Asbestos Uses
Currently, multiple articles and editorials in U.S. media are sounding the alarm that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to allow new uses of asbestos. At a time when Canada is moving toward a 2019 ban, we are going the opposite direction, despite the deaths of thousands around the globe every year from exposure to the deadly carcinogen.
Health professionals, work safety advocates, environmentalists and concerned members of the public had hoped that the Frank J. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act would provide the means to enact tighter restrictions or a total ban in our country. Asbestos was one of the first 10 chemicals EPA named to undergo rigorous review for its dangerous propensities to determine appropriate controls that would keep people and the environment safe.
Lautenberg Act on its Head
In a reversal, the Trump Administration has chosen through its EPA to shortchange this process by declaring it would not look back at historical dangers and risks, only forward at proposed new uses. This kicks out the floor from under the new law because few expected the EPA to use it as a basis for expansion of the use of the mineral.
On June 1, EPA proposed a Significant New Use Rule or SNUR that would let the agency approve new uses of asbestos with 90 days' notice from the person or company requesting approval. EPA accepted public comments on the proposal through August 10. Specifically, the proposal says that potential new uses could include building materials (except cement), including roof coatings, millboard, pipeline wrap, roofing felt and vinyl floor tile.
Most Americans would undoubtedly object to an increased risk in newer construction of not knowing whether it is safe to replace floor tile or repair a roof. Already we must deal with the deadly legacy of asbestos-caused diseases in the renovation, remodeling, demolition and fire-fighting fields because of exposure to asbestos from broken, crushed or burnt building materials that have released the invisible mineral into the air.
The new rule could bring a whole new wave of dangerous materials into our homes, schools, public buildings, businesses and workplaces.
Disturbingly, U.S. asbestos imports from January through April of this year are almost four times higher than those of the same time period last year, according to the Montana Standard, citing the International Trade Commission's data as reviewed by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. Could the steep spike in asbestos importation be a sign of what some in government and industry have planned for expanded use of the dangerous mineral?
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الأربعاء، 15 أغسطس 2018
الثلاثاء، 14 أغسطس 2018
الاثنين، 13 أغسطس 2018
Cows are statistically more deadly than cyclists are to pedestrians
Cows have killed 74 people in a five year span
Cows may be statistically more dangerous to walkers than cyclists. The comparison has been highlighted following a tweet issued by …Continue reading »from Cycling Weekly https://ift.tt/2nDhiFf
الأحد، 12 أغسطس 2018
السبت، 11 أغسطس 2018
الجمعة، 10 أغسطس 2018
الخميس، 9 أغسطس 2018
الأربعاء، 8 أغسطس 2018
Could a Botched Asbestos Abatement Harm Children?
Parents in Louisiana are panic-stricken over reports that asbestos removal projects in Lafayette Academy Charter School could have been compromised - potentially resulting in dangerous exposure for many young children. The most recent project occurred while the school was closed for the summer. Before that, however, work was completed during the 2016-17 school year.
It was while the contractors were working during the school year that parents worry their children might have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
During the school year, the work was contained to four empty classrooms on an upper floor of the building. According to one report, containment procedures were often broken by workers. "Workers were seen walking in and out of the containment area without changing clothing, eating lunch and walking around the campus in the same clothes," the report states. Additionally, it was noted there were holes in the plastic protective material that stops asbestos from spreading during removal. Students were seen roaming the halls outside of one unsecured area and "multiple children were observed sticking their heads" through an opening in the protective sheet to watch the ongoing work.
While it might be difficult to detect the disease so soon after limited exposure, parents worry that children might ultimately develop mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer generally caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
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Steam Pipe Explosion Raises Asbestos Concerns
Residents in a New York City neighborhood are concerned about the risk of asbestos exposure after a steam pipe exploded due to underground pressure. The pipe was installed decades ago and people are worried that the pipe contained asbestos insulation to protect it from the extreme heat of the steam.
Typically, an underground pipe wouldn't pose much risk of asbestos exposure. In this situation, however, the pressure in the pipe built up to the point that the explosion erupted through the surface leaving a large crater in its wake. Residents are worried that the explosion ejected asbestos fibers into the air - leading to the possibility of inhalation which could, ultimately, cause cancer.
Dozens of surrounding buildings were evacuated and work is underway to decontaminate the area. The city has put a plan into action to test and confirm the presence of asbestos. Con Edison, the owner of the steam pipe network, has established local help centers where individuals can turn in their clothing. Residents have been given instructions regarding personal cleanup and protection.
Asbestos exposure poses many health risks including mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these materials increases an individual's likelihood of developing the disease. In this scenario, the risk might be mitigated as it was a one-time event rather than months or years of inhalation. However, the risk remains and individuals are encouraged to protect themselves or discuss their situation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney.
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الثلاثاء، 7 أغسطس 2018
Synthetic Marijuana Contaminated with Anticoagulant Used in Rat Poison
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) posted a press release recently regarding the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, such as synthetic marijuana known most commonly as "Spice" and "K2." Many of these products have been contaminated with brodifacoum which is a very long-acting anticoagulant commonly used in rat poison.
The FDA is working with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to make synthetic cannabinoids a controlled substance to avoid "imminent hazard to the public" (FDA, 2018). The unapproved products and are being sold in convenience stores and gas stations as marijuana substitutes. These products are toxic and can result in rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, confusion, suicidal thoughts, increased blood pressure, decreased blood supply to the heart, kidney damage, seizures, hallucinations, and even death.
The FDA recommends that individuals who have possibly used synthetic marijuana products should be vigilant for signs of bleeding. These include easy bruising, oozing gums, and nose bleeds. People experiencing these symptoms after using synthetic marijuana products should immediately seek medical attention, as the effects of brodifacoum are treatable. Those already taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs for pre-existing conditions may be at a higher risk for bleeding.
In addition to users being at risk for serious medical issues, the FDA is also worried about the U.S. blood supply being contaminated with brodifacoum. People who use brodifacoum laced synthetics and give blood are ultimately doing more harm than good. Because of its long half-life, the bleeding risk from brodifacoum, which prevents vitamin K from being reused within the body, can persist for weeks. Consequently, potential safety concerns exist for both the blood donor and the donated blood components, given the potential impact on coagulation.
The FDA urges individuals to avoid using synthetic cannabinoids especially since there's no way of telling which products have been contaminated with brodifacoum.
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الاثنين، 6 أغسطس 2018
Tour of Britain 2018: everything you need to know
Details of the 2018 Tour of Britain route, which runs from September 2 to 9
The Tour of Britain will return in 2018, with the race moving around the country between September 2 to 9 …Continue reading »from Cycling Weekly https://ift.tt/2OK2YHH