Dust from distant lands may affect climate and health in US, Europe

Dust from distant lands may affect climate and health in the Americas and Europe — University of Miami Professor Joe Prospero to share findings at AAAS – Residents of the southern United States and the Caribbean have seen it many times during the summer months-a whitish haze in the sky that seems to hang around for days.

Ozone exposure linked to higher health risks

A new study finds that long-term exposure to ozone is linked to a higher risk of death from respiratory causes. – Long-term exposure to ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, is associated with an increased risk of death from respiratory ailments, according to a new nationwide study led by a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley.

US Food Protection Plan shows significant progress

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA agency unveiled the plan just months ago to help keep Americans enjoying one of the safest food supplies in the world. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Protection Plan Progress Report in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety Action Plan Update, shows significant areas of activity to further improve the safety of America’s food supply since unveiling its Food Protection Plan in November 2007.

Illinois to strengthen drinking water protections

Illinois Governor Blagojevich announces Illinois Environmental Protect Agency to strengthen drinking water protections; Illinois EPA to assess presence of pharmaceuticals in water supplies and to promote disposal alternatives. – Following reports that found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in the US’s drinking water, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is expanding its current monitoring of water quality to include sampling to determine levels of pharmaceuticals that may be in Illinois waterways.

Health effects of climate change in UK

Climate change is perhaps the most significant environmental problem which mankind will face in the coming century. Efforts to reduce the extent of climate change are of course important, but it is likely that we will have to deal with at least some impacts on health. – The possible health effects of climate change are set out in a report published by the Department of Health, UK (DH) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

New H1N1 flu cases reduced in UK

The number of estimated new swine flu cases has fallen significantly in UK. – The number of estimated new swine flu cases has fallen significantly in the past week, the Health Protection Agency has announced. The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme decreased to 36.0 per 100,000 in week 45 compared to 37.7 in week 44.

Sunbeds should not be used for cosmetic tanning

Health Protection Agency (HPA) advice on the use of Sunbeds — Sunbeds should not be used for cosmetic tanning. – Sunbeds should be off limits to the under 18s and should not be used for cosmetic tanning – say scientists at the Health Protection Agency.

Swine flu vaccine candidate prepared by UK

A crucial step towards large scale production of a vaccine against swine flu has been completed in the UK by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), part of the Health Protection Agency. – A strain of virus suitable for vaccine manufacture has now been produced and is being made available to the pharmaceutical industry and other flu laboratories.

Prevalence of variant CJD agent in Britain remains uncertain

Research: Prevalence of disease related prion protein in anonymous tonsil specimens in Britain: Cross-sectional opportunistic survey – First results from a large tissue survey in Britain of the agent that causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) are unable so far to establish that the prevalence is lower than that given by previous estimates, concludes a study published on bmj.com.

Health Newstrack