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09 Mar
Half of All Child-Poisoning Deaths Caused by Opioids, New Study Finds
Opioids accounted for 52% of poisoning-related deaths in infants and young children in 2018, researchers say.
Health News Results - 102
Some furniture fabrics are coated with questionable PFAS compounds -- often called 'forever chemicals' -- to repel stains, but a new study suggests they may not even do the job they're supposed to.
The chemicals, widely believed to have a negative impact on human health, don't seem to keep furniture any more or less stain-resistant than untreated fabric, according to a new study.
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- April 4, 2023
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A new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning are increasing in the United States.
The report looked at carbon monoxide (CO) deaths from 2009 to 2019, finding 250 consumer product-related CO deaths in 2019, more than any other year.
Generators and other engine-driven tools accounted for the largest percentage ...
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- March 30, 2023
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Opioids pose the greatest poison risk to children in the United States, accounting for more than half of poisoning deaths in infants and toddlers, a new study reports.
About 52% of poisoning deaths of children aged 5 and younger in 2018 involved the ingestion of an opioid, according to findings published online March 8 in the journal
Parents in the United States may assume baby food is free of impurities, but a recent research review highlights the much different reality: Most foods made for babies and toddlers have some amount of toxic heavy metals.
The contaminants include metals, such as lead and arsenic, that can harm brain development, and contribute to learning and behavior problems in children. And they are fou...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- February 8, 2023
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Black and Hispanic women who work as hairdressers are exposed to an array of chemicals, including many that have not been previously identified, a small study finds.
Researchers found that compared with women of color in office jobs, hair stylists had higher levels of various chemicals in their urine. Those substances included expected ones -- ingredients known to be in salon products -- ...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- January 31, 2023
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Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless killer, but even during winter heating season, it's possible to stay safe.
This dangerous gas is produced when fuels burn incompletely.
This can happen in furnaces, both gas- and wood-burning fireplaces, space heaters and vehicles that burn fossil fuel. It's also possible in water heaters, gas clothes dryers and stoves, as well as other equipmen...
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- January 29, 2023
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While U.S. policymakers have attempted to lower lead exposure among children since the 1970s, new research finds that kids living near airports are still being exposed to dangerous levels of the heavy metal.
“Across an ensemble of tests, we find consistent evidence that the blood lead levels of children residing near the airport are pushed upward by the deposition of leaded aviation ga...
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- January 11, 2023
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People should test for the naturally occurring radioactive gas radon in their homes to help prevent ill health, the American Lung Association urges.
In some areas, like the state of Connecticut, radon was found to be present at high levels in a quarter (26%) of all homes.
Radon is emitted from the ground and can enter a house through floor cracks, basement walls and foundations.
...- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- January 6, 2023
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As more U.S. states legalize marijuana, the number of preschoolers accidentally eating cannabis "edibles" is rising in tandem, a new study shows.
In the past five years, U.S. poison control centers have witnessed a whopping 14-fold increase in calls about youngsters who got their hands on marijuana edibles.
In 2017, there were just 207 cases reported nationally. By 2021, that had b...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- January 3, 2023
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U.S. communities with higher Hispanic, American Indian or Black populations also have the highest concentrations of metal in public water systems, new research reveals.
Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City found significantly higher arsenic and uranium levels in public drinking water in Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native communities...
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- December 28, 2022
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Winter weather brings with it plenty of hazards, including risks from carbon monoxide poisoning, and fires.
But the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers suggestions for staying safe on those cold winter nights.
When storms knock out power...
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- December 3, 2022
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Parents whose toddlers use certain Green Sprouts bottles or cups need to discard them immediately because of a risk of lead exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.
When the base of the cups come apart, it exposes a solder dot that contains lead, according to a
Increasing numbers of young children are showing up in emergency rooms after accidentally ingesting the cough suppressant benzonatate, U.S. health officials reported Tuesday.
Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough suppressant first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1958 for children ages 10 and up. It works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and airways.
"Benz...
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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- November 15, 2022
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Lead is known to damage young children's brains, and a new study suggests the effects may still be apparent in old age.
Researchers found that among nearly 1,100 older U.S. adults, those who grew up in cities with lead-contaminated drinking water generally scored worse on tests of memory and thinking skills.
The findings, experts said, suggest that older adults who were exposed to l...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- November 10, 2022
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Getting into prescription or over-the-counter medicines at home is a major source of accidental poisoning for young children.
Yet, nearly half of parents say they have leftover prescriptions at home, a new poll shows.
"We found that it's common for parents to keep m...
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- October 24, 2022
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As Florida and nearby states brace for the potential impact of Hurricane Ian, residents in the storm's path should also think about the hazards they may face in its aftermath.
If high winds take out your electricity, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers tips for staying safe.
First, be cautious about using a generator. The carbon monoxide (CO) from a porta...
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- September 28, 2022
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An unprecedented water crisis continues to take a heavy toll on the mental health of adults in Flint, Michigan, a large survey shows.
Five years after the crisis, an estimated one in five — about 13,600 people — remained clinically depressed, the survey found. And about one in four — 1...
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- September 21, 2022
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Pregnant women are exposed to toxic chemicals in dishware, hair coloring, plastics and pesticides that can heighten their risk of cancer and harm child development, a new study warns.
It's well known that exposure to lead can harm young children's brain development. Now a new study suggests that racial segregation may be compounding the detrimental effects of lead on Black children.
The study, of close to 26,000 schoolchildren, found that Black children with elevated blood lead levels had wo...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- August 16, 2022
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It's a startling statistic: A new study finds the number of kids accidentally poisoned by the over-the-counter sleep aid melatonin has soared by 530% over the past decade.
For most children, the overdose only causes excessive sleepiness, but for some it can result in hospitalization and even ...
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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- June 3, 2022
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Nations are falling short in their efforts to get rid of toxic PCB chemicals that pose a risk to human health and the environment, researchers report.
"We're only six years out from the Stockholm Convention's deadline to responsibly eliminate PCB stocks, but shockingly little progress has been made," said study co-author Lisa Melymuk, an assistant professor of environmental chemistry at M...
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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- June 2, 2022
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Exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is on the rise among pregnant women in the United States, a new study warns.
"This is the first time we've been able to measure the amounts of chemicals in such a large and diverse group of pregnant women - not just identify chemicals," ...
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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- May 10, 2022
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Maybe you ask the barista for cream with your coffee, and possibly sugar as well.
But new research shows that paper cup of joe you grab off the coffeehouse counter contains another ingredient, and it's one you might not care for - trillions of tiny plastic particles that leach into your hot java from...
- By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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- May 3, 2022
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With marijuana now legal in many U.S. states, some veterinarians are seeing more cases of cannabis poisoning in dogs and other pets, according to a new survey.
The poll, of 251 vets in Canada and the United States, found that those incidents usually end well: Most animals recover quickly, without needing a hospital stay.
But in some cases, more intense treatment is needed. And a sma...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- April 20, 2022
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Marijuana edibles that mimic the packaging of popular snack foods pose a risk to children, a new study warns.
Researchers looked at the packaging of more than 200 types of edible marijuana products and found that nearly one in 10 resembled commercial snacks foods, including candies and chips....
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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- April 19, 2022
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New studies add to the extensive body of research showing the many risks that lead poses to youngsters.
The association between lead exposure and children's IQ is well-documented, but these Univers...
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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- April 18, 2022
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A proposed rule to ban ongoing uses of the only known form of asbestos imported into the United States has been introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The ban would apply to chrysotile asbestos, which is known to cause cancer and is found in products like asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaske...
- By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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- April 6, 2022
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Your pet's poop and pee may give you clues to how many cancer-causing toxins have taken up residence in your home.
"Our findings suggest that pets are coming into contact with aromatic amines that leach from products in their household environment," said study author Sridhar Chinthakindi, a postdoctoral fellow at NYU Langone Health in New York City.
"As these substances have been t...
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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- April 5, 2022
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At-home COVID-19 tests are a key tool in containing the spread of the coronavirus. But a few safety precautions are in order to prevent serious injury, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
The tests can cause harm if they're not used according to manufacturers' instructions, and they also need to be kept out of reach from children and pets, the FDA said.
It said it has recei...
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- March 22, 2022
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If you were born before 1996, there's a good chance you were exposed to high levels of lead as a kid, and new research suggests this may have harmed your IQ and boosted your chances of lead-related health concerns down the road.
"A significant proportion of Americans alive today had very high lead exposure as children...
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- March 8, 2022
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Dozens of different spray products -- deodorants, shampoos, sunscreens, athlete's foot treatments -- have been recalled in recent months due to contamination with the cancer-causing chemical benzene.
Most recently, six Brut and Sure aerosol antiperspirants
Construction workers may bring home more than the bacon -- they may also be exposing their families to toxic metals, a new study reveals.
Toxic contaminants unintentionally brought from the workplace into the home are a public health hazard, but the majority of research to date has focused on
Fracking has already raised the ire of environmentalists for its effects on the planet, but new research sends up another red flag: The wastewater produced by the complicated oil and gas drilling process is loaded with toxic and cancer-causing contaminants that threaten both people and wildlife.
In fracking, water tha...
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- February 18, 2022
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The national bird of the United States is facing a deadly threat from within: widespread lead poisoning, largely caused by ingesting fragments of hunters' lead ammunition.
The poisoning is slowing the population growth of both bald eagles, the nation's symbol since 1782, and golden eagles, whose numbers ...
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- February 18, 2022
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With winter storms roaring through much of the United States this week, millions of Americans may face power outages that could put them at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires as they try to keep warm, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns.
When the power goes out, many people use portable generators or other devices for heat and power, but improper use of such equipme...
- Robert Preidt
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- February 3, 2022
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Power outages are becoming more frequent in the United States, and a new study highlights one consequence of prolonged blackouts: carbon monoxide poisonings.
Looking at major U.S. power outages between 2007 and 2018, researchers found that carbon monoxide poisonings spiked during those disruptions, versus the days immediately before.
The pattern is not surprising, said lead researc...
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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- January 17, 2022
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If you're among the many people who use space heaters and generators during the winter, you need to guard against fire and carbon monoxide (CO) hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says.
In the United States, that's especially true for Black Amer...
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- December 19, 2021
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The deadly tornadoes that devastated communities in multiple states this past weekend have destroyed many homes and left others without power.
But if people turn to generators to manage in the aftermath, they should use caution, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.
Portable generators can expose users to increased risk of
Setting your clocks back an hour this Sunday also means it's time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says.
Working alarms are especially important because people are spending more time at home due to the pandemic, which means furnaces, fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances are being used mo...
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- November 6, 2021
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Accidental poisonings on Halloween can turn a night of fun into one that's truly scary.
The following poison prevention tips -- from the Nebraska Regional Poison Center -- can help your little ones stay safe:
The liquid in lighted glow sticks can sting or burn if it gets into the eyes or mouth. Know that glow sticks are soft and can easily break open if children put them in their mo...
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- October 30, 2021
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It's often called luster dust, and it can add some sparkle to your cake decorations. But health officials warn it also might contain poisonous heavy metals that are not meant to be eaten.
Luster dust is used to add glitter or color to desserts. However, Rhode Island and Missouri saw cases of heavy metal poisonings linked with commercial and homemade cakes decorated with luster dust in 201...
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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- October 29, 2021
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that it has lowered its limits for lead poisoning in kids.
The move is expected to more than double the number of 1- to 5-year-olds with worrisome levels of the toxic metal in their blood, according to the Associated Press. That means the number is projected to grow from 200,000 to about 500,000, AP said.
<...- Robert Preidt
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- October 28, 2021
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It's a drug that's been supported by some conservative media figures, but taking ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 might land you in the hospital, a new study warns.
Interest in the drug surged last summer as the highly contagious Delta variant took over the United States. But instead of protecting against the virus, the use of a medicine typically reserved for horses and cattle has...
- Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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- October 21, 2021
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Despite the troubling findings of a congressional report released earlier this year on toxins in baby foods, a new report finds even more manufacturers are selling baby foods that contain potentially unsafe levels of heavy metals.
The toxins in question include dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, among others.
"No level of toxic heavy metals and exposure to them ...
- Cara Murez
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- September 30, 2021
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More than 50% of American children have detectable blood lead levels, a new study reveals. And young children who live in places with lots of pre-1950s housing and low incomes have the greatest risk.
"Public health authorities have worked commendably to reduce lead exposure for decades, and yet, substantial risk remains," said study co-author Dr. Harvey Kaufman, head of health trends rese...
- Steven Reinberg
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- September 27, 2021
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As the COVID-19 pandemic grinds on and stress on families mounts, more kids are falling victim to accidental poisoning.
Experts attribute the surge to disrupted sleep patterns, work schedules and parenting routines.
"I think what's happening is, parents are challenged with a couple of things," said Helen Arbogast, manager of the Injury Prevention Program at Children's Hospital Los A...
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- September 6, 2021
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Can childhood lead exposure affect personality into adulthood?
Yes, a big multi-decade study suggests.
The finding stems from an analysis of data on atmospheric lead levels across the United States and 37 European nations since 1960. Lead levels were stacked up against responses to a personality survey of roughly 1.5 million men and women.
The result: Americans raised in areas...
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
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- July 13, 2021
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The good news: Levels of lead in the air that Londoners breathe are far lower today than they were in the 1980s, when leaded gas was an automotive staple.
The bad news: Decades-old lead particles still pollute the city's air, a stubborn and potentially hazardous leftover of a now banned product. The findings might have implications for the health of city dwellers globally.
In the ...
- Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
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- June 22, 2021
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