Two recently published papers funded by the federal agency Health Canada report on excess risk of breast cancer among auto plastics workers and the chemical compounds and processes used that are the likely culprits.
Environmental Health
New DOT policy promises better health and safety protections for flight attendants
After three decades, the FAA has finally acknowledged that its regulations to protect the health and safety of flight attendants are not adequate. A new policy—barring major objections from the airlines—-will extend OSHA protections to airline flight attendants.
Environmental Health
An incident almost every day: Louisiana Bucket Brigade reports on 2011 refinery accidents
The good news is that in 2011 there were 53 fewer reported refinery accidents in Louisiana than there were in 2010. The bad news is that the 301 refinery accidents reported to the state in 2011 released nearly 50,000 pounds more air pollutants and nearly 1 million gallons more contaminants to soil and water than did the 354 accidents reported in 2010 – this according to a new report released Monday by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and United Steelworkers.
Environmental Health
Worker remain missing four days after failure of West Virginia coal slurry impoundment
After four days, one worker remains unaccounted for after being caught in the collapse of an embankment at a WV coal slurry impoundment. The 788 acre pond of coal waste and chemical-laced water is owned by CONSOL Energy, and is just one of hundreds like it located in U.S. coal mining States.
Most current strategies to address the obesity problem in Americans focus on individuals changing their behavior. A new report illuminates why those strategies alone ignore the work environment as a contributor to obesity risk.
Environmental Health
Where did the pardoned Thanksgiving turkey come from? Inspector records tell the filthy story
The turkey pardoned by the President was headed for a slaughterhouse with a history of food safety violations such as fecal contamination. Surprisingly, the USDA considers it a model for a modernized, streamlined inspection system.
Researchers have identified the fungicide triflumizole (TFZ) as an obesogen in mice. It’s one of a growing body of studies on the health effects of low-level exposure to widely used pesticides.
APHA Annual Meeting
Public health association adopts new policies opposing military recruiting in schools, supporting taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages
At last week’s American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting its Governing Council adopted about a dozen new policies to guide the Association’s advocacy activities.
Cancer
Public Health Classics: Assessing air pollution and health in six U.S. cities, researchers’ findings changed the air we breathe
In the 1974, most of us thought that air pollution was something that just looked and smelled bad. But public health researchers had just launched a study to determine whether air pollution shortened people’s lives. Twenty years later they published their results. It forever changed the way we think about and address air pollutants.
Environmental Health
Public Health Classics: Collecting children’s baby teeth to identify lead poisoning
The baby teeth of children collected by their teachers, allowed Dr. Herb Needleman to make the link between lead poisoning and lower IQ scores.