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Beryllium produces health effects ranging from sensitization without evidence of disease to clinically apparent pulmonary disease.
Chronic beryllium disease may be misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis.
Immunologic tests can detect beryllium sensitization and help clinicians differentiate between chronic beryllium disease and other interstitial lung diseases.
Tetrachloroethylene is used mainly as a solvent for dry cleaning and metal degreasing.
Like most chlorinated solvents, tetrachloroethylene can cause central nervous system depression.
Chronic exposure to tetrachloroethylene may adversely affect the neurological system, liver, and kidneys.
Tetrachloroethylene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen on the basis of limited evidence from studies in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
Because many environmental diseases either manifest as common medical problems or have nonspecific symptoms, an exposure history is vital for correct diagnosis.
By taking a thorough exposure history, the primary care clinician can play an important role in detecting, treating, and preventing disease due to toxic exposure.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common industrial solvent and contaminant of hazardous waste sites, groundwater, and drinking water.
TCE is a CNS depressant and a suspected hepatotoxin in humans.
TCE is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans and sufficient evidence
of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are a class of compounds that includes chemical warfare nerve agents and certain insecticides.
Fatalities occur mainly due to effects on respiration due depression of respiratory drive, paralysis of muscles of respiration, bronchoconstriction, and airway obstruction from profuse respiratory tract secretions.
Treatment includes the use of atropine, 2-PAM, diazepam, and aggressive supportive care.
Ethylene glycol ingestion first affects the central nervous system (CNS). After a characteristic latent period, signs of inebriation may be followed by serious illness and even death, caused by toxic metabolites.
Propylene glycol, which is much less toxic than ethylene glycol, is metabolized to compounds that are normal constituents of the citric acid cycle.
No health effects have been reported in persons chronically exposed to ethylene glycol or propylene glycol at levels found in the environment.
Although asbestos is no longer used in many products, it will remain a public health concern well into the 21st century.
Intact asbestos sources in the home release few fibers and should be left undisturbed. Damaged or crumbling materials should be repaired or removed only by certified asbestos-removal professionals.
Asbestos exposure is associated with parenchymal asbestosis, asbestos-related pleural abnormalities, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, and it may be associated with cancer at some extra thoracic sites.
New recommendations were published jointly this week in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR) and the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journa. (Published: 8/7/2008)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. (Published: 6/3/2008)
This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping blood specimens to CDC. (Published: 5/15/2008)
This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping urine specimens to CDC (Published: 5/15/2008)
This health advisory outlines public health preparedness, control, and response in healthcare settings and in communities following measles outbreaks in the United States. (Published: 4/4/2008)
CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) invites accredited Schools of Public Health to submit grant applications for the development of Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) that will investigate the structure, capabilities, and performance of public health systems for preparedness and emergency response activities. (Published: 3/7/2008)
Ricin is made from the waste left over from processing castor beans, and can be extremely lethal. It has some potential medical uses, such as bone marrow transplants and cancer treatment (to kill cancer cells). (Published: 2/29/2008)
CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) has released its inaugural report on public health emergency preparedness. The report highlights progress made in state and local preparedness and response, identifies preparedness challenges facing public health departments, and outlines CDC’s efforts to address those challenges. Designed to increase accountability regarding the country’s investment in preparedness activities, the report presents national data as well as state-specific snapshots for all 50 states and four directly funded localities. (Published: 2/20/2008)
Hydrazines are clear, colorless liquids with an ammonia-like odor. Most hydrazines are manufactured for use as rocket propellants and fuels, boiler water treatments, chemical reactants, medicines, and in cancer research. Hydrazines are highly reactive and easily catch fire. (Published: 2/20/2008)
School shootings are sobering and tragic events that cause much concern about the safety of children. Despite these events, schools remain a very safe place for children to spend their days. In fact, the vast majority of children and youth homicides occur outside school hours and property. CDC has assembled a collection of resources on violence prevention to help parents, students, and school personnel cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event.
(Published: 2/15/2008)
CDC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released preliminary results from recent testing that found higher than typical indoor exposure levels of formaldehyde in travel trailers and mobile homes used as emergency housing in the Gulf Coast Region. (Published: 2/14/2008)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency assists the Midwest states affected by the recent ice storms to help state and local governments respond to communities impacted by widespread power outages and icy conditions. (Published: 12/13/2007)
By subscribing to CDC's Cool Tip of the Week, you'll receive timely messages about how you can prepare for winter weather and what you can do during a storm to protect yourself, your family, and your community. This is a free service provided by CDC. (Published: 12/7/2007)
The service transmits email alerts when new and important information is posted on FEMA.gov. Through these alerts, FEMA’s news and information is delivered directly to you – to your PC, laptop or wireless device. It’s a fast, effective way of being informed about updates on FEMA's website. (Published: 12/7/2007)
Free publications from FEMA about how to protect yourself and your property from flooding are a toll-free phone call or mouse-click away.
(Published: 11/27/2007)
With winter rapidly approaching, every family should be prepared to face another season of destructive cold, storms and flooding. Every home should have a Disaster Supply Kit that includes a weather radio. FEMA urges all residents to act now to assemble their family's emergency supplies before the start of the winter storm season. (Published: 11/27/2007)
News reports and the World Health Organization (WHO) state that tens of thousands of infants in China who consumed infant formula contaminated with melamine are suffering from urinary tract stones, kidney damage, and kidney failure. (Published: 10/7/2008)
New recommendations were published jointly this week in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR) and the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal (Published: 8/7/2008)
During a flood and its aftermath, there are some basic facts to remember that will help protect your personal health and safety. (Published: 6/20/2008)
Learn about safe handling of food after the power goes out and know what to do in the event that your prescription drugs are exposed to extreme heat or water. (Published: 5/29/2008)
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections. (Published: 4/25/2008)
CDC is working collaboratively with state health departments, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on reports of adverse health effects following consumption of the dietary supplement “Total Body Formula,” and “Total Body Mega Formula.” (Published: 4/14/2008)
COTPER has a new website. Learn how COTPER helps the nation prepare for and respond to urgent public health threats by providing direction, coordination, and support for all of CDC’s terrorism preparedness and emergency response activities. (Published: 4/10/2008)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Shipping Instructions for Specimens Collected from People Who May Have Been Exposed to Chemical-Terrorism Agents" (Published: 3/19/2008)
This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping blood specimens to CDC. (Published: 3/19/2008)
This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping urine specimens to CDC.
(Published: 3/19/2008)
CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) invites accredited Schools of Public Health to submit grant applications for the development of Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) that will investigate the structure, capabilities, and performance of public health systems for preparedness and emergency response activities.
(Published: 3/7/2008)
Ricin is made from the waste left over from processing castor beans, and can be extremely lethal. It has some potential medical uses, such as bone marrow transplants and cancer treatment (to kill cancer cells). (Published: 2/29/2008)
This document provides guidance for applying for competitive funding for
demonstration projects designed to further pandemic influenza preparedness and response. (Published: 2/26/2008)
CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) has released its inaugural report on public health emergency preparedness. The report highlights progress made in state and local preparedness and response, identifies preparedness challenges facing public health departments, and outlines CDC’s efforts to address those challenges. Designed to increase accountability regarding the country’s investment in preparedness activities, the report presents national data as well as state-specific snapshots for all 50 states and four directly funded localities. (Published: 2/20/2008)
Hydrazines are clear, colorless liquids with an ammonia-like odor. Most hydrazines are manufactured for use as rocket propellants and fuels, boiler water treatments, chemical reactants, medicines, and in cancer research. Hydrazines are highly reactive and easily catch fire.
(Published: 2/20/2008)
CDC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released preliminary results from recent testing that found higher than typical indoor exposure levels of formaldehyde in travel trailers and mobile homes used as emergency housing in the Gulf Coast Region. (Published: 2/14/2008)
NEW: The "Recommendations for postexposure interventions to prevent HBV, HCV, or HIV infections and tetanus for persons wounded during bombings and similar mass casualty events in the United States 2007. Recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)", a DRAFT document, distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines, which does not represent and should not be construed to represent any CDC determination or policy, is now available for public review and comment. (Published: 2/7/2008)
This fact sheet provides an overview of the emergency MedKit evaluation study which was designed to evaluate a strategy that addresses the timeliness of distributing antibiotics to the general public as an effective measure against a release of anthrax. (Published: 1/31/2008)
Hypothermia is a serious medical condition that strikes during very cold weather or when people are chilled from rain, sweat, or cold water… (Published: 12/11/2007)
US GOV/HSS Health Alert: Never mix bleach and ammonia to clean; the fumes can kill you. More info CDC 800-232-4636 or http://m.cdc.gov (Published: 10/10/2008)
US GOV/HSS Health Alert: See or smell mold? Clean it with 1 cup household liquid bleach per 1 gallon water. More info CDC 800-232-4636 or http://m.cdc.gov (Published: 10/10/2008)
US GOV/HSS Health Alert: Carbon monoxide can cause headaches dizziness nausea and death. If concerned seek help. More info CDC 800-232-4636 or http://m.cdc.gov (Published: 10/10/2008)
US GOV/HSS Health Alert: If candles are all you have, place them in safe holders away from things that can burn. More info CDC 800-232-4636 or http://m.cdc.gov (Published: 10/10/2008)
URGENT safety alert from US Gov: Don't use generators/grills inside home, garage, carport. Carbon monoxide gas can kill! Call CDC 800-232-4636 for health info (Published: 10/10/2008)
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(Published: 8/31/2008)
Los jóvenes que son víctimas de agresión electrónica, como la colocación en línea de fotos embarazosas y el acoso en los salones de chat, pueden correr un mayor riesgo de incurrir en problemas de comportamiento como el consumo de alcohol, la suspensión del colegio o el trato discriminatorio en persona. (Published: 8/28/2008)
Usted no puede estar al lado de su preadolescente cada minuto. Lo que sí puede hacer es asegurarse de que su hijo preadolescente tenga las vacunas correspondientes a su edad para proteger su salud en la adolescencia. (Published: 8/21/2008)
Los cánceres hematológicos (de la sangre) afectan a personas de todas las edades incluidos niños, adolescentes y personas de cada raza, grupo étnico y sexo. Los CDC y sus socios lideran esfuerzos para proporcionar información y recursos a los sobrevivientes de cáncer, las personas que cuidan de ellos y los proveedores de atención médica sobre cómo vivir con cáncer hematológico de una forma plena, sobrellevar esta enfermedad y superarla. (Published: 8/14/2008)
Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work ~ October 6–10 is Get Smart about Antibiotics Week. This is the time to learn about the potential danger of antibiotic resistance – and what you can do to prevent it. Remember, the power to prevent antibiotic resistance is in your hands! (Published: 10/6/2008)
You Can Help Prevent Home Fires ~ October 5-11, 2008 is Fire Prevention Week, and this year's theme is "Prevent Home Fires!" You can help keep your home fire-safe by following simple prevention tips. (Published: 10/6/2008)
People with Disabilities Can Lead Long, Healthy Lives ~ If you are living with a disability, you need health care and health programs for the same reasons anyone else does—to stay well, active, and a part of the community. (Published: 10/6/2008)
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~ Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, other than skin cancer. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer. (Published: 10/6/2008)
Identifying Developmental Disabilities ~ Early recognition of developmental disabilities such as autism is key for parents and health care providers. CDC realized the impact on families and invested in a campaign to help parents measure their children's progress by monitoring how they play, learn, speak and act. (Published: 9/29/2008)
This year’s seasonal flu materials are free for download—no printed versions are available. They may be printed on a standard office printer, or you may use a commercial printer.
Emphasis remains on outreach to high-risk groups, as well as parents of all children, health care workers, and people in the workplace.
(Published: 10/2/2008)
What sort of flu season is expected this year? Will new strains of flu circulate this season? How effective is the flu vaccine? What other factors can influence which viruses are chosen to go into the vaccine? Can the vaccine provide protection even if the vaccine is not a “good” match? In what years was there a good match between the vaccine and the circulating viruses? What is CDC doing to monitor vaccine effectiveness for the 2008-09 season? What determines the severity of a flu season? What is CDC doing to monitor antiviral resistance in the United States during the 2008-09 season? What actions can I take to protect myself and my family against the flu this season?
(Published: 9/22/2008)
1) Take time to get a vaccine. 2) Take everyday actions to stop germs like frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. 3) Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says you need them.
(Published: 9/8/2008)
Can the flu shot give you the flu? Why do some people not feel well after getting the flu shot? What about people who get a flu vaccine and still get sick with flu-like symptoms? Does getting vaccinated against flu early in the season pose a risk that immunity may wane before the end of the season? Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu? Is it too late to get vaccinated after Thanksgiving (or the end of November)? Is the “stomach flu” really the flu? (Published: 7/16/2008)
What kind of flu vaccines are there? What does the influenza vaccine protect against? How are viruses chosen for the vaccine each year? (Published: 2/22/2008)
World Health Organization (WHO) recommends composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2008-2009 northern hemisphere influenza season. (Published: 2/14/2008)
As of February 8, 2008, all states in the U.S. are reported influenza activity — 31 states reported widespread influenza activity; 17 states reproted regional influenza activity; and two states as well as the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity.
(Published: 2/12/2008)
CDC is requesting that states report all cases of influenza-related pediatric mortality during the 2007-2008 influenza season. This health advisory contains updated information about influenza and bacterial co-infections in children and provides interim testing and treatment recommendations. (Published: 1/31/2008)
Getting vaccinated now can still provide protection from the flu for the remainder of the flu season. Vaccine is still available. (Published: 1/29/2008)
TABLE: Self-reported pneumococcal vaccination coverage trends 1989 - 2006 among adults by age group, risk group, race/ethnicity, health-care
worker status, and pregnancy status, United States, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (Published: 10/1/2007)
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) reports in the June 18, 2008 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) (early release) article “False-Positive Oral Fluid Rapid Tests, New York City 2005-2008” that sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in NYC using the oral fluid rapid test have reported episodic increases in false positive tests over the past few years. (Published: 6/19/2008)
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) operates 10 sexually transmitted disease (STD) walk-in clinics offering various free services, including confidential or anonymous testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (Published: 6/19/2008)
Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults, often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. (Published: 6/6/2008)
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. In addition to being a population seriously affected by HIV, Hispanics/Latinos continue to face challenges in accessing health care, prevention services, and HIV treatment. In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35 to 44. (Published: 4/16/2008)
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35 to 44. (Published: 3/31/2008)
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its annual report, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2006. Vol. 18 (Published: 3/28/2008)
At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS. In 2006, 35,314 new cases of HIV/AIDS in adults, adolescents, and children were diagnosed in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting. New HIV/AIDS diagnoses tell us how many people have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, but do not necessarily represent new HIV infections because a person may have been infected in years past but received a diagnosis in 2006. CDC plans to release the estimated number of new HIV infections this year. (Published: 3/24/2008)
The HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report is published annually by the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia. (Published: 3/24/2008)
Tuberculosis (TB) is the second most common cause of death from infectious disease in the world after human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Immunosuppressed HIV-infected persons are highly susceptible to TB disease, and countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the highest TB incidence rates, primarily because of the HIV epidemic. (Published: 3/24/2008)
Surveillance slide set of HIV/AIDS cases among adult and adolescent men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, from 1985 through 2005. (Published: 3/12/2008)
The number of persons aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been increasing in recent years. This increase is partly due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has made it possible for many HIV-infected persons to live longer, and partly due to newly diagnosed infections in persons over the age of 50. (Published: 2/29/2008)
The number of persons aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been increasing in recent years. This increase is partly due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has made it possible for many HIV-infected persons to live longer, and partly due to newly diagnosed infections in persons over the age of 50. (Published: 2/29/2008)
An article recently published by Switzerland’s Federal Commission for HIV/AIDS states that HIV-positive individuals on effective antiretroviral therapy are not at risk for transmitting HIV to their sexual partners under certain circumstances. The Commission acknowledges that there are no scientific data that the risk of transmission in these circumstances is zero. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores its recommendation that people living with HIV who are sexually active use condoms consistently and correctly with all sex partners. (Published: 2/1/2008)
The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released Federal Oversight of Food Safety: FDA Has Provided Few Details on the Resources and Strategies Needed to Implements its Food Protection Plan. The report is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08909t.pdf.
(Published: 6/19/2008)
The American Health Lawyers Association, in collaboration with the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, will present “A Day in Court: Critical Implications for Conducting Clinical Trials” on July 24, 2008. The training will be held at the George Washington University Cloyd Heck Marvin Center. For more information, visit http://www.raps.org/personifyebusiness/ConferencesTraining/ADayinCourt/tabid/456/Default.aspx.
(Published: 6/19/2008)
Two months ago, a new law came into effect in Japan, requiring companies and local governments to measure the waistlines of people between the ages of 40 and 74. The move marks the government’s latest effort to curtail “metabolic syndrome” (or “metabo” as it is colloquially known), a collection of factors including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Metabo has become national shorthand for “overweight.” “Before we had to broach the issue with the word obesity, which definitely has a negative image. But metabo sounds much more inclusive,” said Dr. Yoshikuni Sakamoto, a physician in the employee health insurance union at Matsushita, an electronics manufacturer. The new law mandates limits on waistlines -- 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women. People exceeding the limit and having a weight-related illness will be given d... (Published: 6/19/2008)
This month, Illinois counties began adding a $5 fee to the cost of marriage licenses to pay for legal counseling and other services for people seeking to escape domestic violence. The new law seeks to help abused women (and in some cases, men) navigate the legal system. “We don’t have as many people today seeking shelters to fix the problem,” said Jacqueline Ferguson, director of operations at the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Instead, they’re seeking counseling and legal advocacy to address some of the bigger issues.” As domestic violence cases in the state have increased over recent years, advocates have seen state and federal funding stripped from domestic programs. As a result, 27 counties in southern Illinois have been forced to cut courthouse advocates who work directly with abused women to help them understand their rights and apply for protective orders... (Published: 6/19/2008)
Emergency management officials in Louisiana are making plans to move as many as 39,000 people out of the New Orleans area if a hurricane threatens this summer. Finding the vehicles to accomplish that feat, however, presents a stumbling block. “If a big hurricane begins heading into the Gulf Coast, there could be five states scrambling to get buses,” said Matthew Kallmyer, deputy director of the New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness. Under current guidelines, shelters in New Orleans and surrounding parishes will not open if officials declare a mandatory evacuation in anticipation of a Category 3 or greater hurricane. That could leave thousands of elderly people and others with special needs or without transportation to find their own way out of town. Louisiana officials have negotiated to have commercial buses available, and have also looked at using school buses, Regiona... (Published: 6/19/2008)
In September, New York will become the seventh state (along with the District of Columbia) to require schools to help ensure the dental health of students. Methods in the jurisdictions range from requiring students to get a full dental exam before entering school, to a cursory screening by a hygienist. Under a new law, New York schools will ask parents to provide a certificate showing the student has seen a dentist before entering the second, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades. Schools will provide families with a list of dentists that will examine their child for free or at reduced cost if the student arrives for class without the certificate. According to CDC, tooth decay is a common infectious disease among children, and is on the rise. In children, tooth decay is five times more common than asthma, four times more common than obesity, and 20 times more common than diabetes, ... (Published: 6/19/2008)
In May, the Ontario (Canada) Court of Appeal heard arguments attempting to resurrect a proposed class action lawsuit against the federal government for failing to regulate silicone gel breast implants. According to some estimates, up to 200,000 Canadian women received breast implants between 1969 and 1992, when Dow Corning implants were pulled from the market. Attorneys for Canadian women injured by the implants say Health Canada examined the Dow Corning implants and recommended they be discontinued in 1978 after studies showed they ruptured between 5 and 32 percent of the time. Kirk Baert, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said Health Canada’s failure to ban the implants amounts to negligence. “At the very least, they (federal officials) could have issued a warning,” he said. Last year, a lower court dismissed the case, finding the decision to allow the silicone implants was a g... (Published: 6/19/2008)
At the end of May, a provision of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act prohibited the “intentional or unintentional” display of tobacco products in stores. The new rules require that cigarettes must be concealed until they are purchased. Employees must handle and store tobacco products out of view of customers; they can be displayed only briefly when the employee is handing the product to a customer during a transaction. If a customer needs assistance deciding between products, the employee is allowed to show the customer a binder displaying photos of the tobacco products, along with the price. Businesses that fail to comply with the new law could be fined $10,000; employees could be charged $4,000. The mandate has required store owners to buy special shelving or cabinets to hide the products. Some worry about the added inconvenience of the new system, but most shop owners are prepared t... (Published: 6/19/2008)
Earlier this month, new European Union rules requiring companies to demonstrate the safety of a chemical before it enters commerce went into effect. Under the new rules, manufacturers must report the risks posed by specific chemicals. That information will, for the first time, be made available to the public. The rules reflect a philosophy that emphasizes the consumer, and have major implications for the U.S. chemical industry. In the United States, regulators have the burden of proving a chemical is harmful before it can be restricted or removed from the market. In order to access the European market -- 27 countries comprising nearly 500 million consumers -- and compete in global commerce, U.S. companies will be forced to reformulate their products to comply with the E.U. rules. According to Mike Walls, the American Chemistry Council’s managing director of government and regul... (Published: 6/19/2008)
Pooshs v. Philip Morris USA, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
No. C 04-1221 PJH
Decided May 27, 2008
Opinion by Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton
(Published: 6/19/2008)
In re: Katrina Canal Breaches Consolidated Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Civil Action No. 05-4182 Section “K”(2)
Decided May 27, 2008
Opinion by Judge Stanwood R. Duval Jr.
(Published: 6/19/2008)
Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech v. Swecker
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division
Civil Action No. 3:06CV396
Decided March 31, 2008
Opinion by Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck
(Published: 6/19/2008)
PHS Community Services Society v. Canada
Supreme Court of British Columbia
No. S065547, S065587
Decided May 27, 2008
Opinion by Justice Ian H. Pitfield
(Published: 6/19/2008)
“Goodbye, metabolic. Let’s get our checkups together. Go! Go! Go!
Goodbye, metabolic. Don’t wait till you get sick. No! No! No!”
-- Residents of Amagasaki, Japan singing the city’s anti-metabo (obesity) song at a local gym. The song warns about trouser buttons popping and flying away. The town’s mayor and six other officials formed a weight-loss group called The Seven Metabo Samurai in support of the national government’s anti-obesity campaign.
(Published: 6/19/2008)
A bill working its way through the Louisiana Legislature will establish a three-member Emergency/Disaster Medicine Review Panel to examine disaster-related decisions by healthcare personnel. Findings of the Panel will help prosecutors determine whether to file criminal charges against medical professionals in the event that a person is injured while receiving healthcare services during a state of disaster, medical emergency, or public health emergency. The bill, which has been unanimously approved by the House, recognizes that, during an emergency, medical personnel are under added duress because of staffing shortages, resource limitations, and damaged infrastructure, and such personnel’s clinical decisions may be affected by nonmedical factors including lack of basic human services, loss of communication, necessity to immediately evacuate, and safety concerns for medical perso... (Published: 6/19/2008)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeks public comment on three draft guidance documents: Interim Guidance on the Use and Purchase of Facemasks and Respirators by Individuals and Families for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness; Proposed Guidance on Antiviral Drug Use During an Influenza Pandemic; and Proposed Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers In Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic. For more information, visit http://aspe.hhs.gov/panflu/antiviral-n-masks.shtml.
(Published: 6/19/2008)
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine
