Healthy World Watch February 5th, 2010

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Kathryn Meigel

Friday, February 05, 2010

Top Tips

Americans waste 25% of the food we produce annually, even in difficult economic times like these. Careful planning, constructing a grocery list, and freezing unused foods can help minimize food waste and slow the growth of landfills.
Did you know you can get a tax credit for making your home or commute more eco-friendly? To take advantage of all the credits available to you this year, check out these tips on how to get the most from you your tax refund.
Looking for ways to lighten-up the costs of hosting a kid’s birthday party? Mom Goes Green has some tips on how to keep costs and waste down.

Recent Research

Phthalates linked to behavioral problems among children. Scientists found early exposure to phthalates have a negative effect on a child’s developing brain and may lead to attention problems. "More phthalates equaled more behavioral problems," said Stephanie Engel, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and lead author of the study. When the study group participants were infants, the girls with high exposure had differences in alertness and orientation, two indicators of neuro-developmental effects. Phthalates are commonly used in personal care products to retain fragrances and help lotions penetrate skin.
As one of the most common illnesses among children, pediatric ear infections cost Americans between $3 and 5 billion dollars annually. A recent study at UCLA and the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that a reduction in air pollution over the past decade has lessened the number of childhood ear infections. Dr. Nina Shapiro, study co-author and director of pediatric otolaryngology at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA said this correlation has “both medical and political significance” and validates the benefits of reducing air-pollutants.
Flame retardants (PBDEs) may affect intelligence of young children. Research shows that children with the highest levels of PBDEs in their umbilical cord blood scored lower on neuro-developmental tests. Julie Herbstman, from the Columbia University Center for Children's Environmental Health in New York, states the primary exposures are thought to be dietary and ingestion of dust particles. Infants who are breast feed are also exposed through their mothers. The EPA is taking a closer look at PBDEs, with plans to phase some out.
Human placenta cells die after BPA exposure. Exposure to very low concentrations of the plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA) causes cellular damage and death in cultured human placenta cells, researchers report. The doses used for this study are similar to blood levels found in pregnant women. Particularly concerning was the observation that effects were most pronounced at the lowest - rather than the highest - concentrations of BPA.

Other News

Did you know that there are approximately 50 different names for sugar? Food companies are counting on the American public not knowing what they are eating. According to a new report, by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), dishonesty in food labeling is the norm and has lead to consumer overspending and diet-related illnesses. Ilene Ringel Heller, CSPI senior staff attorney, warns that “there's no way to know (what we are eating) without a chemistry kit.” Claims of being heart healthy and increasing immunity has alerted groups, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society have voiced concern over this growing trend.
Investigation reveals many bagged salads contain fecal bacteria. Of the 16 different brands of salad tested all brands showed similar levels of contamination. Dr. Michael Hansen, senior scientist at Consumers Unions, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, states findings "show not enough is being done to assure the safety or cleanliness of leafy greens” and until industry changes are made said products should be eaten with caution. Furthermore, the study discounts the popular belief that packaged salads labeled as “prewashed” or “triple-washed” are any cleaner than loose leaf options.
Disney sets zero-tolerance policy for cadmium in children’s jewelry. In response to recalls of pendants, Disney has taken a stricter stance than the federal government, who currently does not require testing for cadmium nor sets a limit for how much products can contain. Disney is now requiring all products bearing their name be tested for the metal, if detected production and distribution of the product are to be halted. Currently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said there have been no reports of cadmium poisonings associated with the recalled items.