Tag: public health (Page 8 of 9)

The Safety of Fracking Has Health Groups Concerned

January 10, 2012 / Staff

Environmental concerns over fracking have heightened as the practice has grown to address the nation’s demand for fossil fuel.

Fracking involves injecting water mixed with sand and chemicals into shale formations at high pressures to extract fuel.
The recent spread of fracking has raised concerns among environmentalists, public health advocates and some neighbors of shale wells who worry about issues such as water contamination and increased truck traffic. Some have also linked earthquakes to disposal of waste water from shale wells.

Quality Control, Research, Wellness

clean drinking water dangers of fracking drinking water fracking fracking safety public health

The HCG Weight loss Miracle is Illegal says the FDA

December 6, 2011 / Staff

Over the counter HCG weight loss products have caused a sensation yet have not been proven either safe or effective by the FDA.

The startling and drastic weight loss experienced by users have caused high demand for the products which are selling on-line and in drug stores. The manufacturing of these products, however, are not regulated by any public health governing body.

“These HCG products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed,” said Ilisa Bernstein, acting director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “And a very low-calorie diet should only be used under proper medical supervision.”
The FDA says people on such diets have an increased risk of heart arrhythmia’s, electrolyte imbalance and gallstones. Currently no HCG products for weight loss have been approved by the agency.

Quality Control, Research, Wellness

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Health Risks Could Threaten Occupy Wall Street Movement

November 19, 2011 / Staff

The health risks at Occupy Wall Street could derail the efforts of protesters.

Crowded, unsanitary conditions and cold weather is a threat to the health of those on the front lines of the movement.

Quality Control, Wellness

Health concerns at Occupy Wall Street Occupy Wall Street Protester's health public health public safety Sanitation at Occupy Wall Street

Your Mother Was Right, Public Bathrooms are Filthy!

November 5, 2011 / Staff

Do not touch anything in public bathrooms.

Studies show that door handles, public toilettes and many other public places are just as germ ridden as we all feared they were.

For all of us who have spent our lives hovering over toilettes and opening and closing doors with our elbows there is justification for this nearly neurotic behavior.

From December 2010 through last February, Archibald and his colleagues swabbed and cultured faucets, paper-dispenser levers, and door handles inside the bathrooms of four aircraft and 18 other crowded spots such as fast-food restaurants. Names of the businesses were not released. Among the types of microscopic critters commonly discovered were staphylococcus (which can cause fevers and chills) and bacillus (which can cause diarrhea).
“For several restrooms, the quantity of microorganisms was too numerous to count,” Archibald’s paper reports. “…To date, there have been virtually no quantitative or qualitative assessments of the range of bacteria contaminating public restrooms.”

Quality Control, Resources

communicable diseases hygeine Public bathrooms public health sanitary sanitation unsanitary