Medical professionals in Bengaluru have raised concerns about the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, comparing it to the hazards of smoking. The sedentary nature of work in the tech-capital has led to a rise in issues such as lower back pain among professionals, including techies and teachers. Experts emphasize the importance of taking regular breaks to stretch and move, as prolonged sitting can lead to adverse effects on the spine, back, and shoulders, and even impact children due to increased use of electronic gadgets.
A recent study suggests that plastic cutting boards may be releasing harmful microplastics into food, posing potential health risks such as reproductive issues, digestive problems, and cancer. Experts recommend using wood or metal cutting boards instead, as they are more durable, easier to clean, and more sustainable. Additionally, it's advised to use separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods to prevent contamination, with bamboo cutting boards being a recommended alternative.
Newly uncovered military records reveal hazardous conditions at the Karshi-Khanabad air base in Uzbekistan, known as "K2," including enriched radioactive material and severe soil fuel contamination, potentially explaining rare illnesses among U.S. servicemembers deployed there after 9/11. Veterans advocate Mark T. Jackson claims the records are a "smoking gun" proving toxic exposure, while the U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs continue to assess the health effects of those deployed to K2. The government denies claims of yellowcake uranium presence at the base, but veterans seek evidence to support their medical diagnoses and treatment plans.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria has warned that consuming fruits ripened with calcium carbide can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure. The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the dangers of artificially ripened fruits, which may exhibit yellow skin but remain unripe inside. She explained that calcium carbide contains impurities such as arsenic and lead particles, which can have detrimental effects on health. Symptoms of consuming such fruits include frequent thirst, skin damage, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and skin ulcers. NAFDAC has initiated a scientific study to address the health hazards associated with the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening.
The smokestack of a shuttered trash incinerator in Detroit, which emitted fumes and a rank odor of burning trash for decades, has been brought down in a controlled implosion as part of the final phase of the facility's yearlong demolition. The incinerator, which burned up to 5,000 tons of trash per day, was a health hazard for the nearby lower-income community of color. Detroit household trash is now trucked to landfills outside the city limits. Precautions were taken to contain the dust from the implosion to the site.
Scientists warn that the increased use of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic is linked to health problems, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental harm. QACs are found in disinfectant solutions, wipes, hand sanitizers, sprays, and foggers, and are also being incorporated into personal care products, textiles, paints, medical instruments, and more. The scientists recommend eliminating unnecessary uses of QACs and requiring full disclosure of QACs in all products to reduce health hazards and environmental harm.
