Study shows prenatal impacts of living close to major roads

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Kids more susceptible to develop respiratory infections

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There’s more evidence that living next to busy roads has health risks.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In yet another strong sign that living close to major roads is significant health risk, researchers in Massachusetts found that prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution increases the risk of subsequent respiratory infection in children.

“The connection between in utero and early life cigarette smoke exposure and adverse infant respiratory outcomes is well-established, but the relation of prenatal ambient air pollution to risk of infant respiratory infection is less well-studied,” said lead author Mary Rice, MD, a pulmonary and critical care fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “Our study extends previous findings by showing that proximity to a major roadway during the prenatal period is associated with increased risk of subsequent respiratory infection in children.” (more…)

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Health: Pre-ordering school meals leads to healthier eating

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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It’s hard to resist a tater tot when you’re hungry, but pre-ordering meals at school can lead to healthier choices.

Study in New York shows significant change in food choices

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Not long after reporting that bite-sized fruit pieces spur healthier eating at school, Cornell researchers have released new findings suggesting that pre-ordering food would also help improve the dietary habits of school kids.

The study builds on the conventional wisdom that shopping for food while hungry can lead to unhealthy choices. According to the scientists, hungry people are especially sensitive to sights and smells of foods that will satiate, but may lack in nutrient content. (more…)

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Teens not getting the message about texting and driving

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Survey suggests state anti-texting laws are not highly effective

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A new risk-behavior study shows that texting while driving is very common.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Despite the wave of horrifying ads featuring parents of teens who died as a result of texting while driving, the message isn’t sinking in with the target demographic.

Nearly 43 percent of high school students of driving age who were surveyed in 2011 reported texting while driving at least once in the preceding 30 days, according to a study by researchers with the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York.

“Texting while driving has become, in the words of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a ‘national epidemic,’” said lead researchers Alexandra Bailin. “Although teens may be developmentally predisposed to engage in risk-taking behavior, reducing the prevalence of texting while driving is an obvious and important way to ensure the health and safety of teen drivers, their passengers and the surrounding public,” Bailin said. (more…)

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Congress tackles genetically modified food labeling

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Have your veggies been genetically modified? Some members of Congress think you have the right to know.

Citing overwhelming public support, lawmakers introduce measures that would require the FDA to modernize its labeling standards

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The battle over labeling of genetically modified food is once again in Congress, where pending bills in the House and Senate would help consumers be able to make more informed choices about their diet and purchasing decisions.

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR)this week introduced the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act in the House; a companion measure in the Senate got a bipartisan introduction from by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

“Despite the prevalence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in grocery stores and prepared foods, it remains difficult if not impossible for consumers to determine if the foods they eat contain GMOs,” Polis said. “This labeling bill is about empowering consumers: consumers can choose to eat or not eat GMOs, or to pay more or less for GMOs. I believe consumers have a right to know what they are eating so they can make their own informed food choices. I am proud to be working toward more informative food labels.” (more…)

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Health: Bite-size fruit a better bet for school meals

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Kids at school are more likely to eat fruit if it’s pre-sliced, a new study shows.

Study shows dramatic increase in consumption when fruit is sliced

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Most parents know that kids coming home from school are more likely to eat fruit that’s been cut into bite-sized pieces. That same technique might encourage youngsters to eat more healthy foods as part of their school lunch, according to new research from Cornell University who tested the idea in eigh elementary schools.

Previous studies and surveys have shown that kids love to eat fruit in ready-to-eat bite-sized pieces, yet in most school settings, the fruit is served whole, which could be the reason children are taking fruits but not eating them.

Most people believe that children avoid fruit because of the taste and allure of alternative packaged snacks. A study by Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab researchers Brian Wansink, David Just, Andrew Hanks, and Laura Smith decided to get to the bottom of why children were avoiding their fruit. (more…)

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Health: New study shows strong link between highway noise, emissions and heart disease

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Study shows exposure to highway pollution increases risk of heart disease.

Evidence mounts that living near highways is bad — very bad — for your health

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — If the noise from nearby highways doesn’t kill you, the road dust just might, according to a new study presented recently at a health conference in Rome.

Previous research in Denmark showed that traffic noise was significantly associated with risk of heart attack — for every 10 decibel increase in noise exposure (either at the time of the attack or over the five years preceding it) there was a 12 percent increased risk.

The new study presented at the EuroPRevent 2013 shows that long-term exposure to fine particle matter (PM) air pollution in part derived from traffic pollution is also associated with atherosclerosis independent of traffic noise. (more…)

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Scientists call for phase-out of lead hunting ammunition

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

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Condor recovery efforts have been hampered in part by numerous cases of lead poisoning. Photo courtesy USFWS.

California considers ban, as studies show that switching to non-lead ammunition is viable

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Ammunition used by hunters is probably the biggest single source of toxic lead in the environment, according to a statement from leading scientists, who said that lead ammo  poses a serious danger to people and wildlife and ought to be phased out.

Lead is an extremely toxic substance that is dangerous to people and wildlife even at low levels. Lead exposure can cause a range of health effects, from acute poisoning and death to long-term problems such as reduced reproduction, inhibition of growth, and damage to neurological development. (more…)

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UCLA study links traffic pollution with childhood cancers

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Exposure to traffic pollution has been linked with exposure to traffic-related air pollution.

Evidence growing that traffic pollution causes a wide range of illnesses

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Not long after European researchers published a study linking auto emissions with chronic childhood asthma, a new report from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health suggests a potential link between traffic-related air pollution and several childhood cancers.

The results of the study — the first to examine air pollution from traffic and a number of rarer childhood cancers — were presented on April 9 in an abstract at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. (more…)

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Health: New European study solidifies link between highway pollution and chronic childhood asthma

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Roadside air pollution is a significant factor in chronic childhood asthma.

Toxic emissions from traffic are a significant public health concern, often ignored by transportation and urban planners

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Pollution from busy roads may cause just as many cases of chronic childhood asthma as passive smoking, according to new findings published this week in the European Respiratory Journal.

The research conducted in 10 European cities concludes that 14 percent of childhood asthma cased are linked with traffic related pollution, while the World Health Organization estimates that between 4 percent and 18 percent of asthma cases in children are linked to passive smoking. (more…)

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New law would tackle widespread seafood fraud

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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When is a tuna not a tuna? Consumers will know more if Rep. Ed Markey’s Safe Seafood Act is passed into law.

Measure would accountability to the seafood supply chain

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Not long after a recent report by the nonprofit group Oceana revealed widespread fraud in the seafood consumer market, federal lawmakers make intervene to hold seafood producers more accountable for what they catch, deliver and sell.

As introduced by Congressman Ed Markey, the Safety and Fraud Enforcement for Seafood (SAFE Seafood) Act would requiring full traceability of all seafood sold in the U.S., from boat to plate.

“Fish fraud is a national problem that needs a national solution. This bill finally tells the seafood swindlers and fish fraudsters that we will protect America’s fishermen and consumers from Massachusetts to Alaska,” said Markey, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. “From tackle to table, this bill makes the entire seafood supply chain more transparent and trustworthy.” (more…)

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