Posted on July 12, 2006 by Gerald Pugliese
A study published in last week’s
American Journal of Epidemiology reveals
a link between hair dye and lymphoma risk.
Reuters reports:
The researchers found an overall 19 percent increased risk of lymphoma among people who reported coloring their hair. The increased risk was 26 percent among those who used hair dye 12 or more times a year.
People who began coloring their hair before 1980 showed a 37 percent increased lymphoma risk, while those who had only dyed their hair before 1980, but not afterwards, showed a 62 percent increased risk.
Based on the findings, de Sanjose and her team calculate that roughly 10 percent of lymphomas in women could be due to the use of hair dye.
Posted on July 11, 2006 by Gerald Pugliese
According to the
Associated Press imported tuna has levels of mercury higher than the US federal limit. Libby Quaid reports:
Defenders of Wildlife found the highest levels of mercury in tuna from Ecuador and Mexico — countries known for setting nets where they see dolphins to catch large tuna swimming below.
"They tend to catch larger, more mature fish, which tend to have higher levels, being at the top of the food chain," said Bob Irvin, the group's senior vice president for conservation.
The group is a longtime advocate of dolphin-safe tuna.
The group had a laboratory test 164 cans of tuna labeled as being from Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United States. Tests were done by New Age/Landmark laboratory, a Benton Harbor, Mich., company that has been used by the federal government.
The group’s analysis revealed some daunting results:
Average mercury content of U.S. tuna was generally lower than imported tuna.
Tuna from Asia had the lowest average levels of mercury.
Tuna from Latin America had the highest mercury levels, with some exceeding the government limit of 1.0 parts per million.
The lab found higher levels of mercury even in light tuna, which the Food and Drug Administration considers to be low in mercury.
For more information on mercury contamination check out this previous post:
Fishing for the Truth
Posted on July 6, 2006 by Gerald Pugliese
A new study published in the July 6th issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine concludes
carbon particles from motor exhaust diminish lung function in young children. Serena Gordon of
HealthDay News reports:
"Higher levels of exposure [to carbon particles] are associated with lower levels of lung function," concluded one of the study's authors, Dr. Jonathan Grigg, who was a senior lecturer in pediatrics at the University of Leicester in England at the time of the study.
Black carbon particles are a major component of air pollution, according to background information in the study. This type of pollution comes largely from motor vehicle emissions. Past research has suggested that carbon pollution might harm children's lung function.
Dr. Grigg insists data like this is important to note when considering which fuels we choose to consume:
"We can't avoid inhaled particulate pollution. These data are important when doing the cost/benefit analysis for different, less-polluting fuels. This study reminds us that there is a health cost of burning fossil fuels, even though at present these fuels bring many benefits," he said.
