The Dark Side Of Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Posted by Staff (08/14/2012 @ 5:59 pm)  Free Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Researchers from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, last month, showed in a paper that tiny defects in the bulbs can let through UV light that can damage skin cells and lead to cancer. The phosphorus coating inside the bulb contains the dangerous UV light rays, however, the curly shape of the bulbs creates opportunity for cracks in the coating allowing harmful rays to escape. The researchers’ data, published in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology, is preliminary, and based on experiments in a lab. In other words, there aren’t any known cases of sunburn from light bulbs yet. The researchers say it’s also not that hard to avoid the dangerous rays; they recommend putting the light behind glass or keeping a few feet away from the bulb.
While there is no need to panic it is simply one more thing to consider when trying to keep your family safe. Posted in: Quality Control, Research, Wellness Tags: cancer, energy efficient light bulbs, melanoma, public health, public safety, skin cancer, skin cancer causes, UV light, UV light safety
CDC Warns That Gonorrhea Is becoming Drug Resisitant Posted by Staff (08/10/2012 @ 10:11 pm)  Free Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhea. Those infected with gonorrhea often show no symptoms, however, the disease can lead to serious complications, including infertility and chronic pelvic pain in women, and in men, a painful inflammation of the ducts attached to the testicles that may cause infertility. Left untreated, according to the CDC. If the bacteria spread to the blood or joints, the condition can be life-threatening, the CDC says. Over the last several decades, the bacteria that cause gonorrhea have developed resistance to many antibiotics used to treat the condition, including penicillin, tetracycline and fluoroquinolones. That left just one class of drugs, called cephalosporins — which include the drugs cefixime and ceftriaxone — to be used as treatment. But today, the CDC announced it no longer recommends cefixime, an oral medication, as a first-line treatment for gonorrhea, citing data over the last several years that show cefixime has become less effective at treating the infection.
Posted in: Quality Control, Research, Wellness Tags: CDC, gonorrhea, men's health, public health, public safety, sexual health, sexually transmitted disease, STD's, women's health
5 Reasons To Go To The Emergency Room Posted by Staff (08/10/2012 @ 9:28 pm)  Free Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Not always sure when it’s an emergency? Here are 5 easy to remember symptoms that always necessitate emergency care. Head to the ER stat (or dial 911) if you have any of these: A – Airway Choking (also do the Heimlich maneuver or CPR if needed) B – Breathing Rapid or slowed intake of air, wheezing, skin has a blue tinge C – Circulation Loss of consciousness, bleeding, agitation, lifelessness D – Disability or dehydration Injury or inability to walk or talk, inability to keep down food or liquids E – Exposure to an environmental hazard Various (causes can include heat exhaustion, hypothermia or poisoning) A Wristband That Lets You Know When You’ve Had Enough Sun Posted by Staff (08/10/2012 @ 9:15 pm)  Free Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
New technology enables a disposable wristband to read the amount of ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation to which you are being exposed. In addition to sunscreen, the “UV Dosimeter” let’s you know when you’ve spent too much time in the sun; even with SPF protection. At .15 cents per bracelet it is an affordable way to protect from yourself skin damage and skin cancer. The wristbands contain an acid-release agent and a dye that work in concert to pick up UV light and then change color depending on the levels of radiation detected. Different bands will be tailored for people of varying skin types, who have different levels of UV tolerance. The band made for fair-skinned and fair-haired types will change color faster than bands made for darker-complected people. In the U.S., skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year. Sunburn or overexposure to the sun is a major risk factor for developing skin cancer, and Intellego is betting that the worldwide market for the new wristband will be substantial.
Cargill Recalls 30,000 Pounds Of Ground Beef Fearing Salmonella Contamination Posted by Staff (07/24/2012 @ 7:01 pm) 
According to a news release by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is issuing an immediate recall of approximately 29,339 pounds of ground beef bases on concerns that it may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The agency was made aware of the potential contamination during the course of an ongoing investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis involving 33 patients from seven states. The recall includes 14 pound chub packages of “Grnd Beef Fine 85/15” and bears the establishment number “EST. 9400” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The meat was produced on May 25, 2012, and shipped to centers in Connecticut, Maine and New York for further distribution. The products are no longer available for purchase and the use-by date has passed, but the agency expressed concerns that the meat may still be present in consumers’ freezers. According to a notification on the Cargill website, consumers with questions may review their ground beef recall information or call the company’s toll-free consumer relations line at 1-888-812-1646.
Proper handling is imperative when dealing with meat and meat products. |