الاثنين، 31 ديسمبر 2018
الأحد، 30 ديسمبر 2018
السبت، 29 ديسمبر 2018
الجمعة، 28 ديسمبر 2018
الخميس، 27 ديسمبر 2018
الأربعاء، 26 ديسمبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 25 ديسمبر 2018
الاثنين، 24 ديسمبر 2018
الأحد، 23 ديسمبر 2018
السبت، 22 ديسمبر 2018
الجمعة، 21 ديسمبر 2018
الخميس، 20 ديسمبر 2018
Deadly Holiday Decorations
Many people equate asbestos with heavy industry or construction materials. In truth, the mineral was used copiously several decades ago in numerous consumer products that might still be in use today.
This time of year, many American households busy themselves with decorating for the holidays. Unfortunately, many Christmas decorations either contained asbestos during their production or were exposed to asbestos fibers while in storage.
- Attic storage: Zonolite is a type of loose-fill insulation found in millions of American homes - generally in colder climates such as the Midwest or Northeast states. While this type of insulation is no longer manufactured, when it was, it was extremely popular. Unfortunately, Zonolite is made out of vermiculite and likely contaminated by asbestos by virtue of where the vermiculite was mined. As the insulation deteriorates with age, the asbestos fibers can begin to coat items being stored in attics in homes throughout the United States. Many people, unfortunately, use attic storage space to hide away old clothes or seasonal decorations - only to be disturbed during the holidays every year.
- Vintage decorations: Before the second world war, asbestos was commonly used as fake snow in everything from movie sets to Christmas ornaments. Even though the deadly material is no longer used in this fashion, some vintage decorations are considered family heirlooms - passed down from generation to generation. A decorative wreath, for example, might have originally belonged to your great-grandmother. The fake snow that adorns this item could be a direct link to mesothelioma.
It is crucial that you understand the dangers you face from seemingly innocuous sources. Many homes built prior to 1980 contain asbestos fibers in their insulation, tilework and roofing materials. Additionally, many objects seen as heirlooms could ultimately be hazardous. Antique coffee pots, popcorn makers and the aforementioned ornaments could be the cause of your loved one suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma and other devastating lung diseases.
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الأربعاء، 19 ديسمبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 18 ديسمبر 2018
Things to Consider When Hiring an Asbestos Removal Contractor
Many homes built before 1990 used asbestos in insulation, tiling and other areas of the home. It was (and is) used extensively in public buildings. The idea is that undisturbed, asbestos presents little threat to the public. However, simple home renovation projects can kick up this potentially deadly and devastating carcinogen.
If you suspect or know that there are asbestos-containing materials in your home, it can be tempting to try to remove it quickly and cheaply without the expense of a contractor. However, asbestos removal is complicated and potentially harmful to contractors and residents if done improperly.
How Does California Law Affect Your Asbestos Cleanup?
California has strict laws and regulations regarding asbestos removal. These laws include:
- Only licensed contractors may perform Asbestos Abatement. It is your responsibility to verify a Cal/OSHA-Certified Asbestos Consultant or Contractor's credentials and license information.
- This person must be independent from the related construction/building company.
- California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may not recommend one contractor over another.
- The contractor must use the proper Hazardous Waste Disposal methods (which may be at your expense).
What Will a Contractor Do?
The Cal/OSHA board has access to many asbestos removal consultants who can answer questions in person or over the phone about your situation. A consultant can help direct you to contractors who can perform the following duties:
- Building inspection
- Asbestos abatement (removal) project design
- Contract drafting
- Sample collection, clearance air monitoring (note, this may be done by an independent US EPA Region 9 State Air technician)
- Supervision of project
They may also lead you to contractors who you can choose to hire to remove the asbestos in your home as safely as possible. Be sure to carefully research and consider the following in a potential contractor:
- Professional experience
- Training and certification in the work they plan to do
- Environmental and professional compliance history
Asbestos removal is potentially dangerous and must be done carefully and methodically to protect air quality and community health. It can be complicated, but if you are determined to remove this product from your home no amount of red tape should stop you.
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Milan-San Remo winner Filippo Pozzato announces retirement
The 37-year-old announced his departure in an emotional statement
Milan-San Remo winner Filippo Pozzato has announced his retirement from the peloton, aged 37.from Cycling Weekly https://ift.tt/2QB1K62
الاثنين، 17 ديسمبر 2018
الأحد، 16 ديسمبر 2018
السبت، 15 ديسمبر 2018
الجمعة، 14 ديسمبر 2018
الخميس، 13 ديسمبر 2018
FDA Recalls Valsartan
The FDA has recalled some products that contain Valsartan due to levels of impurity over the past four years. Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Not all products that contain Valsartan were recalled by the FDA.
The recalled products contain carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and were manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in China. Some levels of the carcinogen may have been in the valsartan-containing products for as long as four years.
Currently Recalled Products
Find a list of currently recalled Valsartan products here.
Find a list of Valsartan products not being recalled here.
What Should Patients Know?
· Continue taking your current medicine until your doctor or pharmacist gives you a replacement or a different treatment option.
· Not all valsartan-containing medications are affected and being recalled.
· If you are taking any medication containing valsartan, compare the information on your prescription bottle with the information in this list (company, National Drug Code, lot number) to determine if your current medicine has been recalled. If you are not certain, contact your pharmacist.
· If you have medicine included in the recall, contact your pharmacist. The pharmacist may be able to provide you with valsartan made by another company. If not, contact your doctor immediately to discuss other treatment options.
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الأربعاء، 12 ديسمبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 11 ديسمبر 2018
Keep your family safe this holiday: avoid dangerous toys and products
With the holidays approaching, parents should be aware of some hidden dangers in products and toys marketed for kids.
Slime
Some slimes contain high levels of boron. Boron can cause repertory irritation, lung damage, pulmonary congestion, edema, and death.
Toys with small parts
Toys marketed to children 6 and older can include small parts that pose as choking hazards. "Hatching" toys that break apart small parts that can also easily pose a hazard.
Smart Toys
Sites, apps, games and smart toys might be collecting private data from your child, and some could be hacked, posing a safety risk.
Makeup
As we have seen in many cases recently, makeup made for children can often contain asbestos. These products can include talc which also often contains asbestos.
Toys with magnets
Small magnets can cause serious internal damage if swallowed.
Recently recalled products for kids
· H.I.S. Girl's Clothing Sets - Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban (November 8, 2018) The metal pendant on the necklace contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
· Mountain Warehouse Children's Water Bottles - Choking Hazard (November 8, 2018) The water bottle's spout can detach, exposing a small ring, posing a choking hazard to children.
· Fantasia Accessories Slap Bracelets - Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target (October 31, 2018) The slap bracelet's metal wristband can pierce the protective fabric around it and expose sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard to young children.
· Children's Toy Instrument Sets - Violation of the Federal Lead Paint Ban; Made by Creative Sto and Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com (Recall Alert) (October 26, 2018) Paint on the maracas, xylophone and carrying case contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.
· i play Infant Rattles - Choking Hazard (October 25, 2018) Pieces of the rattle can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.
· Abond Group Tubeez Baby Bath Support Seats - Drowning Hazard (October 16, 2018) The bath support seat fails to meet the federal safety standard including the requirements for stability. The bath seat can tip over or an infant can slip underneath the front support, posing a drowning hazard.
For a complete list of recent recalls, click here.
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الاثنين، 10 ديسمبر 2018
الأحد، 9 ديسمبر 2018
الجمعة، 7 ديسمبر 2018
الخميس، 6 ديسمبر 2018
Deadly DIY - Asbestos Exposure and Home Renovations
Whether it's a cost-saving measure or the satisfaction of completing a time-consuming project on your own, many homeowners are choosing to tackle renovation projects themselves. The do-it-yourself, or DIY, movement has been gaining momentum for decades from house flippers to those who simply want to stay busy at home. This can-do attitude and the willingness to get dirty, however, can also lead to devastating conditions.
Unfortunately, homes built before 1990 likely used asbestos in many building materials and finishes.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring material that was found to be heat and fire resistant, was commonly used in numerous building materials for decades. From insulation to tiles to roofing shingles, the material was used widely to ensure the safety of building occupants. Unfortunately, asbestos was found to be carcinogenic - often leading to the deadly cancer mesothelioma, and the deaths of those who handled the material.
While studies have shown that undisturbed asbestos does not pose a significant health risk, as soon as these materials are cut, drilled or sanded the worker is in grave danger. These actions cause the asbestos fibers to become airborne - likely to be inhaled. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis or other devastating lung diseases.
An Australian study highlights the shocking prevalence of self-reported asbestos exposure during home renovations.
· 60.5 percent of DIY renovators reported being exposed to asbestos during the project.
· 53 percent reported their partner and 40 percent reported their children were also exposed to asbestos during the DIY renovations.
· 37 percent of DIY renovators reported using a power tool to cut asbestos products.
The Australian Mesothelioma Registry's 2014 Report shows that of the 350 people diagnosed with mesothelioma where there is information about asbestos exposure, 137 (or 39.14 percent) were classified as non-occupational exposure. Of these, 37.2 percent were home renovators and, of those, 33 percent were women.
Before starting any home renovation project, it is wise to consult with a skilled professional. Various companies can be hired to run tests that can detect the presence of asbestos. Do not attempt to remove the material yourself. Instead, trust a certified asbestos professional experienced in asbestos abatement. If you fear your family was exposed to the deadly material, don't hesitate to discuss your situation with trusted medical and legal professionals.
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الأربعاء، 5 ديسمبر 2018
الثلاثاء، 4 ديسمبر 2018
California Appeals Court Revives Airborne Asbestos Exposure Case
The Sixth District California Court of Appeal recently revived a unique asbestos case that had previously involved summary judgment for the defendant asbestos manufacturers.
The appellate court panel's decision paves the way for the surviving family members of Dean Trapp, who died of mesothelioma in 2014, to move forward with their suit against asbestos and asbestos-containing products manufacturers CertainTeed Corp and Calaveras Asbestos, Limited.
Background of the case
This case doesn't involve direct occupational exposure or even secondary exposure to asbestos fibers. Instead, Mr. Trapp, who both lived and worked within a few miles of CertainTeed Corp's cement pipe factory for years (Calaveras Asbestos supplied the asbestos used in those pipes), suffered airborne exposure to asbestos particulates in the air originating from the factory. The case alleges strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and failure to warn claims against the defendants for contaminating the ambient air with unsafe levels of asbestos.
Mr. Trapp's surviving family members brought suit back in 2014 following his death. Defendants sought and received summary judgment in 2016. The appeals court decision reverses the summary judgment, stating that defense experts had not shown that airborne particulates from the defendants' businesses could not have caused Mr. Trapp's mesothelioma.
Specifically, the appeals court decision found that take-home exposure and airborne exposure are both proven methods of exposure to asbestos, and "it is certainly not clear, as the trial court assumed, that one method of exposure is more serious and life-threatening than the other."
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