HEALTH NEWS
 Jan 24, 2002 Pesticides
Toxic Bananas
For the first time the US courts have allowed banana plantation workers of Central
America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Philippines to sue companies they work with, for
making them sterile.
Jan 3, 2002
International News
Poisoned by vegetables
More than 300 drinking water sources and farm wells in California have been found to be
contaminated by perchlorate, which is an ingredient found in rocket fuel. Perchlorate is
known to impair the ability of thyroid to take up iodide and produce hormones, which are
critical to proper fetal and infant brain development.Dec 24, 2002
Miscellaneous
Hospitals that make you sick
A survey of Delhi hospitals by Central Pollution Control Board finds faults in the medical
waste disposal methods adopted by the hospitals.
Dec 21, 2002 Miscellaneous
Health – the most corrupted sector
A study done in over 10 sectors of India shows that India pays 267 billion rupees bribe,
with health and education sectors being the most corrupt.
Dec 19, 2002 International
News
Malnutrition to become an epidemic
The rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere will soon lead to an epidemic
of malnutrition the world over.
Dec 11, 2002
International News
Pesticides
New evidence links pesticides to Parkinson's disease A population based longitudinal study
done on sugarcane and pineapple plantation workers of Hawaii shows linkages between
pesticide exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Dec 2 Air pollution
Polluted Delhi
A three-year project has been initiated by the Central Pollution Control Board and the
Chittrajan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata to study the damage that pollution is doing
to the health of Delhiites.
Dec 2, 2002 Miscellaneous
Delhi fat
Studies conducted in affluent schools of Delhi point out to an increase trend in obesity
in school going children.
Nov 13, 2002
International News
Asthma Research Strategy
Concerned over the rise in the number of children with asthma, the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association have launched the Asthma
Research Strategy which would discuss future research efforts and address specific issues.
Oct 28, 2002
International News
Breast cancers on the rise
The journal of Breast Cancer Research reports a 72 per cent rise in breast cancer among
Californian women in the age of 46 to 64 years. Environmental causes ranging from
radioactive dumping to exposure to hazardous chemicals and pesticides are being attributed
to be the reason behind the rise.
Oct 16, 2002
International News
Pesticide assaults
Study on pesticides in food says a typical American diet consists of almost 60-70 daily
assaults of toxic chemicals.
Oct 8, 2002 International
News
Tylenol Blues
Tylenol, the most popular non-prescription drug of the US has been found to
have an important role to play in causing liver damage. Study conducted over a period of
25 years by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel shows that
acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol causes liver disease.
Sept 21, 2002
International News
Smog alert in Mexico!
Three years after Mexico’s first pollution emergency, a second alert has now been
declared. Rising levels of smog has made the government order all vehicles off the road
for a day.
Sept 13, 2002
International News
Mercurial tempers
The rising levels of mercury the world over has made the US Senate think of developing a
national and global strategy to eliminate all mercury uses.
Aug 12, 2002
Air pollution
Air pollution linked
to vitamin D deficiency
Air pollution linked to vitamin D deficiency Recent study undertaken by Jacob Puliyel and
his colleagues of Saint Stephen's Hospital, Delhi, shows children living in highly
polluted areas to be more prone towards developing vitamin D deficiency.
July 30, 2002
International News
Women power
Women who breastfeed their children for more than 6 months face less risk of developing
breast cancer. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of the woman developing breast cancer by
nearly 4 per cent.
July 15, 2002
International News
Skin deep
Seventy two per cent of the 72 cosmetic products tested by three environmental and
advocacy groups of the US were found to contain phthalates. Phthalates is a known
endocrine disrupter, which upsets the endocrine system that regulates the hormone
production in the body.
July 8, 2002 Air
Pollution
Dry Africa
The Sahel region of Africa has been dry for a long time, not due to nature’s
discrimination but the pollutants spewed out by the European and North American factories
and power stations.
July 5, 2002 International
News
Keep those mosquitoes away!
Usage of DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) in bug sprays is proving to be more
effective in keeping mosquitoes away.
June 27, 2002 International
News
LEADed candles
Burning candles releases fine particles of lead into the air. Lead is known to retard
neurological development in children.
June 24, 2002 Overweight
America
Overweight America
Nearly thirty-four per cent of adult Americans suffer from obesity. The number of obese
people is growing among the younger group.
May 31, 2002 International
News
Water shortage to increase
by 2032
By the year 2032, half the global population will face severe water shortage. The shortage
is going to be 10 per cent higher than what was predicted in the mid-1990s.
May 15, 2002 International
News
Increase in childhood
cancer
Childhood cancer cases have been rising steadily to alarming levels. Acute lymphocytic
leukemia has risen by nearly 62 per cent; brain cancer by 50 per cent and bone cancer by
40 per cent.
May 14, 2002 International
News
Sweet Poison
Choclates may not be that sweet after all. They have been found to contain dangerous
levels of lead and cadmimum. which could pose a serious health risk, especially to
children.
May 7, 2002 National News
Pediatric Asthma on the
rise
"One out of every 10 school children in India suffers from bronchial asthma",
according to S K Agarwal, head of department of chest diseases, Institute of Medical
Sciences, Banaras Hindu University.
April 29, 2002
International news
Cancerous food
New research shows that heating of basic staple foods rich in carbohydrates, such as
cereals, potatoes, and rice — formed acrylamide, a substance classified as a possible
human carcinogen.
April 24, 2002 Children's
health
Children
in danger
The recent document published by the European Environment Agency and the European branch
of the World Health Organisation attributes nearly 40 per cent of the global burden of
disease in children to environmental factors.
April 20, 2002
Miscellaneous
Dumping ground
Toxic components present in computer waste are proving to be a health threat to both, the
present and the future generation. With Kochi being made into a graveyard of computers,
there is danger that processing of all this junk is going to lead to environmental damage
and put the public health at risk.
April 15, 2002
Miscellaneous
Urbanised cancer
The shift in the lifestyle led by urban women could be one of the reasons for making them
more vulnerable to breast cancer.
April 8, 2002 International News
Shampoos linked to sexual
percocity
Small amounts of hormones present in hair products like shampoo may cause early
puberty in girls.
April 3, 2002 Children's Health
Keep those colourful toys
away!
Colourful, inexpensive and convenient toys such as rattlers, teething rings or
even soft toys-all contain toxic substances that have been been linked to various
illnesses.
March 20, 2002 "Impure"
Pure Juice
Tropicana Pure Premium Calcium Orange Juice may not be that pure after all. The company
has voluntarily recalled its 128 oz. "super size" orange juice after it was
found to contain cleaning solution that was used in the production process.
March 15, 2002 Air Pollution
Bad air, bad heart
Air pollution constricts the blood vessels of healthy people, causing heart attacks and
other cardiovascular problems.
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March 6, 2002 Air pollution
Fine particles cause lung
cancer
Aftera cigarette smoke, fine particle emissions could be the most important environmental
risk factor for lung cancer.
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March 5, 2002 International News
Antisocial Lead
Exposure to lead in early childhood could be the reason behind the rising levels of crime
and other antisocial behaviour.
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Feb 20, 2002 Miscellaneous
India- ground for industrial
dumping
More than 70,000 tonnes of toxic scrap is to reach Indian shores.The scrap is the metallic
remains of the twin World Trade Centre towers of America, and is highly toxic in content.
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Feb 15, 2002 Miscellaneous
Diabetes on the increase
The largest number of diabetics reside in India according to a report presented at the
SAARC Cardiac Society biennial meeting held at New Delhi.
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Feb 13, 2002 International News
Use of tanning device increases cancer risk
People who use tanning device like sun lamps are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to have
common kinds of skin cancer in comparison to those who do not use them.
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Feb 1, 2002 Air pollution
Ozone linked to asthma |
Active, young athletes staying in highly polluted areas
take in more of ozone because of their rapid and deep breathing. Ozone may contribute to
asthma in these youngsters.
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Jan 30, 2002 International news
PCBs and sex determination |
Researchers at Michigan State University have found that
human beings can be affected sexually by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's). Men having
higher levels of PCBs in their bodies have been found to more likely father boys.
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Jan 18, 2002 Toxins
Toxic Bhopal |
Seventeen years after the Bhopal Gas tragedy, studies
now find that toxic chemicals have spread from the factory premises to the surroundings
and are passed on even from mother to child.
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Jan 18, 2002 International News
Cancerous Kodak |
Located in New York, Kodak is the number one
manufacturing polluter of carcinogenic chemicals.
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Jan 8, 2002 International News
Air pollution linked to birth defects |
Evidence that carbon monoxide and ozone may play a role
in causing birth defects has come to light with a study carried out in California amongst
9,000 babies born between 1987 to 1993.
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Jan 1, 2002 International News
Garbage burning -a poison for health |
Karachi is witnessing a rising trend of garbage being
burned at roadsides which is posing a serious health hazard to the residents.
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Dec 17, 2001 International News
Health of babies affected by smog |
More recent studies confirm that smog can harm the
health of babies. A recent study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA) shows that air pollution does not just impact asthmatics and old people but also
affects people right at the beginning of their life.
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Dec 10, 2001 Industrial Pollution
Environmental damage has monetary implications on human health |
The implications of environmental damage on human health
has costed the Andhra Pradesh Government Rs 3,259 crore per annum. This translates to
about 4 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP).
|
Nov 5, 2001 International News
Airports major pollution emitters |
The Mobility 2001 report of the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) states that airports are major pollution emitters. Los
Angeles airport is the second largest producer of industrial smog.
|
Nov 3, 2001 International News
Ambient air pollution on the rise in Pakistan |
Ambient air quality in the cities of Lahore, Rawalpindi
and Islamabad have either crossed safe limits or reached the threshold due to the presence
of excessive suspended particulate matters (SPM).
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Nov 2, 2001 Noise Pollution
Diwali: A festival of ill-health |
Ninety-five per cent of the crackers violate the noise
and pollution norms and cause serious health effects on humans. Even crackers like
"phuljari" and "anar" contain highly toxic heavy metals.
|
Nov 1, 2001 Air pollution
Deaths due to air pollution on the rise |
More than 750,000 people annually in India die premature
deaths, due to exposure to increasing air pollution. Premature deaths and illnesses linked
to major environmental health risks account for one fifth of the total burden of disease.
|
Oct 31, 2001 CSE Press
Release
Mystery fevers |
Unknown, unidentified and
lethal fevers are striking India. Such fevers have claimed thousands of lives the world
over. |
Oct 24, 2001. Noise Pollution
Mumbai amongst one of the noisiest cities in the world |
| The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Mumbai as
one of the noisiest cities in the world. And to add to its woes, the average noise level
in Mumbai is increasing by 1.5 decibles (db) every year. |
Oct 22, 2001 International News
Pledge to make your home smoke-free! |
Every day millions of children are exposed to
second-hand cigarette smoke which causes serious health problems ranging from ear
infections and pneumonia to asthma. The time has come for us to pledge to make our
smoke-freee, so that we can protect millions of children from the risks of second-hand
smoke in their own homes.
|
Oct 20, 2001
International News.
Second-hand smoke affects bar workers |
The second-hand smoke released by people who frequent
pubs and bars is causing respiratory problems amongst the staff of pubs, bars and
restaurants. Due to poor ventilation facilities in bar rooms, bar workers are at a risk
from sustained exposure to second-hand smoke.
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Oct 19, 2001 International
News.
Asbestos-related diseases on the rise |
| The next 10 to 20 years are going to witness a rise in
diseases due to asbestos, despite there being restrictions put on its use. The continued
presence of asbestos in the environment is believed to be the main reason behind this.
|
Oct 11, 2001
Air pollution
Deadly air |
A recent study conducted by the West Bengal Pollution
Control Board has found that passengers inside a car inhale far more pollutants compared
to people outside.
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Oct 10, 2001
Water Pollution
Bodh Gaya in the grip of fluorosis |
Residents of Bhoopnagar village in the Bodh Gaya
district of Bihar are ailing with skeletal fluorosis.
|
Oct 7, 2001
Water Pollution
Killer asbestos |
| Cracked asbestos cement pressure pipes which carry
drinking water to villages in West Bengal have been found to contain asbestos particles.
Asbestos fibres are known to be carcinogenic in nature. |
|
Oct
4, 2001 International New
Bitter Butter |
A rare and disabling lung disorder has been noticed in
nine workers employed in a popcorn making factory in Missouri, USA. Exposure to
articifical flavoring while mixing and packaging microwave popcorn may be the cause behind
this.
|
Oct 5,
2001 Pesticides
Scientific study to find out effects of endosulfan |
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is to
conduct a detailed scientific study, focussing on the harmful effects of the pesticide
endosulfan.
Oct 2, 2001 Air Pollution
Delhi has 9 lakh Asthmatics
Out of the 50 million people suffering from asthma in India, Delhi alone accounts for
about 9 lakh of them. The deadly air pollution levels of Delhi is acting as trigger for
asthma attacks.
Sept 26, 2001 International News
Unsustainable consumption and production destroying the planet
According to The State of the World Population 2001 Report, with the world's
population growing at a rapid pace, increased air and water pollution and the depletion of
soil, the planet is being destroyed at an unprecedented rate. Sept 26, 2001 Infectious diseases
Dengue epidemic hitting Rajasthan
More than 50,000 people of Rajasthan could be infected with dengue, with almost all the 32
districts of the state reporting cases of the disease.
Sept 24, 2001 Water
Pollution
Haryana in the grip of fluorosis
Parts of South Haryana are in the grip of fluorosis, with the average fluoride level in
drinking water having risen to 7-8 mg per litre.
Sept 19, 2001 Pesticides
Endosulphan spraying opposed.
New evidence suggests that the effects of endosulphan are spreading to other villages.
Sept 19, 2001 International News
Health risks are minimal from Trade Tower rubble.
Because the collapse of the US trade towers is unprecedented, there is deep
uncertainty as to the environmental health risks it will pose.
Sept 14, 2001 International News
Toxic rocket fuels cause cancer.
Increase in cases of cancer and premature births is now being linked to toxic
rocket fuel from launches from the Baykonur Cosmodrome in southern Siberia.
Septe 13, 2001 Water
pollution
Water pollution on the high in TN, Pondicherry.
Water sources in Tamil Nadu have been found to contain high concentrations of
fluoride, nitrates, iron and dissolved solids.
Sept 5, 2001 Policy and Governance
New National Health Policy draft unveiled.
The draft seeks to increase health expenditure from 5.2 percent.
Sept 1, 2001 Water
pollution
Idols generate waste.
The immersion of idols during festivals like Ganesh and Durga puja, has
lead to pollution of rivers.
Aug 21, 2001 International
News
Landfill sites pose health hazards.
Results from a recent study in the UK provide good reasons to reduce the amount
of waste going to landfill.
Aug 21, 2001 Pesticides
The Endosulfan story.
Spraying of Endosulfan pesticide has now been stopped by the Kerala Government.
Aerial spraying of endosulfan has lead to serious health effects.
Aug 18, 2001 International News
Super- small pollution sensor.
Detecting atmospheric toxins may soon be as easy as fastening a safety pin.
Aug 17, 2001 International News
Biodiversity Mapping.
The World Bank has released a series of interactive maps showing environmental
threats across the globe,as well as air and water pollution and the extent of the Bank's
response to environmental problems.
Aug 10, 2001 Water pollution
Groundwater no longer safe.
Arsenic and fluoride in water pose a major health hazard for the public. |
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