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Healthy World Watch October 16th, 2009
Kathryn Meigel
Friday, October 16, 2009
Top Tips
- Halloween is almost here! Here are some ecofriendly DIY ideas to get your house ready for the spookiest of holidays!
- These days everyone is looking to save money and still buy what you need. Holiday shopping is no exception. Mommies with Style has just released their annual Holiday Shopping Guide filled with gift ideas for little ones, expectant parents, and seasoned parents with coupons to boot!
- As we drift into the autumn season and the cooler temperatures that come with it, the Lighter Footstep has a check-list of common issues to look for in your home, yard, and car before it's too late and they are too expensive to fix.
- Looking for some creative ways to turn a rainy day inside more fun and exciting? Maybe you should look inside your recycling bin! Sounds silly, but American children are losing opportunities to be creative in school due to funding and scholastic requirements; they need encouragement from parents and caregivers to look beyond videogames and TV as a source for inspiration and entertainment.
Recent Research
- Analysis of cellphone studies finds tumor risk. Scientists looking at 23 studies involving almost 38,000 people initially saw no connection between cellphone use and the development of tumors. But a closer look at eight of the highest quality studies tells another story.
- Recent studies find that pregnant women who consume more foods containing higher levels of antioxidants have a lower risk of pre-term birth. Researchers at McGill University discovered that women with blood levels high in certain carotenoids, pigments found in red, yellow, and orange colored fruits and vegetables, have a lower risk of delivering prematurely due to carotenoids acting as antioxidants further protecting the body from cell damage. Lead researcher Dr. Michael S. Kramer, speculates that the findings could be “related to protection from ill effects of environmental toxins, like air pollution, or exposure to bacteria or other infectious agents.”
Other News
- Momentum builds for tighter regulation of industrial chemicals. Amid growing concerns about the health effects of chemical exposure, the Obama administration has laid out a plan to strengthen federal regulation of the chemical industry.
- Schools await a U.S. report on artifical turf. It's been more than a year since the Environmental Protection Agency began looking to see if artificial turf releases toxic chemicals and might be harmful to children. Some watchdog groups say the EPA is stalling.
- In a shocking effort to “teach consumers how to make the right choices” towards a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has announced a partnership with Coca-Cola. The AAFP has been awarded a grant to be used for consumer education. Having historically disagreed on the cause of America’s obesity problem, Coca-Cola’s CEO Muhtar Kent, blames America’s lack of physical activity; while the AAFP recommends against soft drink consumption to reduce caloric intake. Hopefully this union brings a positive outcome and is not another example of how big companies can buy-out government agencies whose initial cause was to protect the American public.
- First of its kind, Ora Dental Studio, an eco-friendly dentistry practice, shows how through green design and operations they can better the immediate health of patients and the environment. This newly evolving Chicago practice is the first dental facility in the country to generate zero bio-hazardous waste. Lead developer Steven A. Koos D.D.S., M.D. recommends parents take an active role in their children’s’ dental health through healthy eating habits, use of safe dental products, and routine dental check-ups. He also suggests patients encourage their current dental offices to adopt non-toxic practices.
