Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
If the top menu is not working correctly on your phone's or tablet's mobile browser, touch the tab at the middle of the bottom to reveal an alternative menu, a one-touch phone button, and a one-touch email button.
HealthNews RoundUp - 3rd Week of February 2022
=========================
==========================
REPORTS
==========================
A Reminder NOT to Refill Plastic Bottles
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/vJkEL7Zi9vQ
If you refill a plastic bottle with water, after 24 hours that water contains more than 400 chemicals released by the plastic and over 3500 from the dishwasher soap you used to clean it.
University of Copenhagen chemists tested 3 different types of plastic bottles and compared them with a glass bottle. The bottles were tested 3 ways: after a single water rinse and refilling the bottles and letting them sit for a day at room temperature; after 5 water rinses, a refill, and the day sit; and after a cycle in a dishwasher, refilling with water, and the room temperature day sit. The drinking water then went through solid phase extraction and chromatographic analysis.
The “drinking” water in the water rinsed and reused bottled contained toxic substances including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, anti-oxidants, and even the insecticide DEET. The water also contained substances never before identified in plastic with 70% having unknown toxicity to humans. Putting the bottles, both plastic and glass, through the dishwasher makes things worse since the washing wears down the plastic and releases more chemicals while the detergent adds thousands more chemicals to bottles of any composition. Even rinsing the bottles after dishwashing leaves 13% of the chemicals in the plastic bottles compared with only 1% in the glass bottles.
The bottom line: recycle, don’t refill plastic bottles. If you want refillable water bottles, use ones made of glass or stainless steel that have been well rinsed with faucet drinking water before use.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389422001194?via%3Dihub
#waterbottles #plastic #reuse #dishwashing #glass
Waterbottles, plastic, reuse, dishwashing, glass
Exercise After Vaccination Helps Your Response
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/xhKZCDMvC0E
Ninety minutes of heart-pounding exercise significantly improves the protective antibody production to both influenza and CoVid vaccines. Iowa State immunobiologists tested 20 participants undergoing influenza vaccination and 36 undergoing Pfizer CoVid vaccination. Subjects, all of whom were regular exercisers, were randomized to exercise or normal sedentary activity beginning 30 minutes after vaccination and then underwent antibody level testing 2 or 4 weeks following flu vaccination or 2 weeks following dose l of CoVid vax and 1 week following dose 2 of CoVid vax.
Post-vaccination exercise increased the titers of anti-flu antibodies when it was continued for a full 90 minutes. Titers were no different for those only exercising for 45 minutes compared with the non-exercisers. For those receiving the CoVid vaccines antibody titers increased significantly after both the first and the second shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
I’m often asked, “Is it ok the exercise after a vaccination?” This study suggests that it is. Remember that exercise works best when started around 30 minutes after the jab when your increased circulatory activity supercharges your immune system. If you delay exercise until you begin having post-vaccination symptoms such as fever or fatigue, you’d better delay the exercise until those have passed in order to respect your body’s recuperative efforts.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159122000319?via%3Dihub
#exercise #vaccination #influenzas #CoVid
exercise, vaccination, influenzas, CoVid
mRNA CoVid Vaccine Effectiveness Against Omicron
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/7j84pgTYVJs
If you want to avoid a CoVid hospitalization or worse, you’d better be vaccinated and boosted. The latest evidence released by the CDC provides graphic evidence about the vaccine effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines.
The data on a total of 55,552 persons gathered during the Omicron-predominant period was gathered from 10 sites across the country. The analysis determined the ability of two or three doses of the nRNA vaccines to prevent hospitalizations for CoVid Omicron at various intervals after completion of the 2 dose vaccination regimen and the 3 dose vaccination + booster regimen.
This graphic data representation shows that the 2 dose vaccination, at best, only prevents 71% of hospitalizations, and that protection declines to only 54% by 5 months after the second shot. If, at that point, an individual receives a booster, the protective vaccine effectiveness jumps up 37% to 91%. Though the protection continues to decline during the months following the 3rd shot booster, it does so at a level 35 to 37% higher than after 2 shots alone.
The other takeaway from these numbers is that, in this age of Omicron, the default CoVid vaccine regimen should be 3 shots from the outset. That way, the initial protection from hospitalization would be over 90% and protection over time should be over 35% better.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7107e2.htm
#covid #vaccination #omicron #booster #vaccine-effectiveness
CoVid, vaccination, omicron, booster, vaccine-effectiveness
Remaining Unvaccinated Is Deadly
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/61RyEs8VJ5Y
More than 135,000 Americans 18 years and older died needlessly during the 6 months after CoVid vaccines became available. Epidemiologists at Harvard’s School of Public Health draw this conclusion from their analysis of data from 26 participating jurisdictions between May 30th to December 4th, 2021.
The largest number of excess deaths occurred in the unvaccinated between 65 through 79 years of age representing 35.4% of the total. Following them were those 50 through 64 years of age representing 30.8%, those 80 years and older 17.5%, those 30 through 49 13.9%, and finally those 18 through 29, 2.4% of the total.
These needless deaths can be blamed directly on the misinformation disseminated by the media, both commercial and social. The sad fact is that authentic information and guidance was and continues to be available to all, yet some insist on remaining mindless sheep all too willing to stampede over that cliff.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.10.22270823v1.full.pdf
#CoVid #unvaccinated #deaths
CoVid, unvaccinated, deaths
mRNA Vaccines May Be Distributed Refrigerated or Warmer
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/BxtmeC3iA1Y
Using a gentle freezing technique, nanoparticles consisting of lipid envelopes containing mRNA capable of subsequently encoding CoVid spike proteins may be transported stored long-term at refrigerator temperatures from 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit or even at room temperature. Researchers at Wuhan University collaborating with several biotechnology companies successfully achieved this feat.
Novel mRNAs capable of encoding Delta and Omicron spike proteins as well as an mRNA that encoded the original Wuhan strain spike proteins were produced, lipid encapsulated as nanoparticles, and freeze-dried into powder. These mRNA vaccine powders were reconstituted into into suspensions and injected into transgenic, humanized mice to test for production of protective anti-CoVid spike protein antibodies. The potency of the generated antibodies was confirmed using pseudovirus neutralization assays.
These freeze-dried vaccine nanoparticles remained effective when stored at refrigerated temperatures but also at room temperatures for up to 18 days and likely could have been stored longer. This freeze-drying process will make these extremely effective mRNA CoVid vaccines available to far more people around the world living in places where ultralow temperature storage is simply not available.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.10.479867v1.full.pdf
#mRNA-vaccine #freezing #freeze-dried #lyophilization #CoVid #variants
mRNA-vaccine, freezing, freeze-dried, lyophilization, CoVid, variants
CoVid Breeds Heart Failure and Strokes
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/mQRVaYd2O1Q
A case of CoVid increases your risk of heart failure by 72% and your risk of a stroke by 52%. Those increased and possibly deadly risks continue for more than a year after your infection. So say Washington University-St. Louis epidemiologists following their analysis of 153,750 military veterans with CoVid compared with 11,497,058 controls looking for complications 30 days beyond their infection’s start.
The other cardiac grief you can expect besides frank heart failure includes arrhythmias, myocarditis, and pericarditis. Besides strokes, you can expect thromboembolic disease in other parts of your body.
What’s more, these health catastrophes occurred in many with CoVid cases mild enough that hospitalization was unnecessary though case severity did raise the risks. The study looked at vets who are predominately white males, and other groups might fare even worse.
Get vaccinated, if vaccinated get boosted, and play it smart with high quality masks, distancing, and ventilation in risky situations.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35132265/
#CoVid #heart-failure #stroke #myocarditis #pericarditis #thromboembolism
CoVid, heart-failure, stroke, myocarditis, pericarditis, thromboembolism
Kids Riding In Bike Trailers Inhale Excess Pollutants
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/xTXSfk6mPK0
Parents who reduce their carbon footprints by cycling rather than car riding their children to preschools and elementary schools in bicycle trailers may be exposing the young ones to undue levels of pollutants. The same goes for parents who take their children along in these trailers as they exercise.
Environmental engineers at the UK’s University of Surrey measured air pollutant exposures to bike trailer occupants as well as the parent cyclists during 82 bicycle runs of 1.3 to 1.4 miles in typical residential zones. Pollutant exposures were higher in the afternoon runs home from school and were up to 18% higher at that time for the kids riding in the trailers than for the parents cycling them. Trailer covers reduced the exposures to fine pollutants by up to 51% on morning runs but were less helpful in the afternoon with exposures to more course pollutant particles.
The bottom line: if cycling with your little ones in bike trailers, ride in areas as far away from motor vehicles and industrial sources of pollution. Consider the use of ventilated and filtered trailer covers if weather permits.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772416622000079?via%3Dihub#!
#bicycle-trailers #pollutants #trailercovers
Bicycle-trailers, pollutants , trailercovers
==========================
CPSC Recalls
==========================
Lovevery Steel Drinking Cups for kids have dangerous handles
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/ZnpkWREF_uk
The CPSC and Loververy are recalling Lovevery Steel Drinking Cups with Handle. These cups are included in Lovevery’s Inspector Play Kits for children aged seven to eight months. The handle may detach from the cup and create a choking hazard for young children. About 169,000 of these play kits and cups were sold in the US and about 11,000 were sold in Canada online at lovevery.com. Immediately take these cups away from children and contact Lovevery for a free replacement cup. You may reach them by phone at 1-877-367-3175 or via email at drinkingcup@lovevery.com.
#cups #lovevery #stainlesssteel #handle #choking #recall
cups, lovevery, stainlesssteel, handle, choking, recall
BrushX Hot Air Brushes are shockingly defective
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/QBGmx89JAh4
The CPSC and Brushx have recalled BrushX Hot Air Brushes. These electric brushes do not have an immersion protection device and that omission creates a shock and electrocution hazard for a the user should the brush fall into water while plugged in and energized. About 100 thousand of these brushes were sold online at mybrushx.com. If you bought one of them, immediately discontinue using it. You can obtain a safe, upgraded product free of charge by sending proof of destruction of yours to replacement@mybrushx.com. That proof is a photo of the brush with the power cord cut. BTW, don’t forget to unplug the brush before cutting the cord.
#brushx #hotairbrush #shock #electrocution #recall
brushx, hotairbrush, shock, electrocution, recall
Zeno Infant Walkers Are Dangerous For the Little Ones
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/mS8mBv6cTo4
The CPSC and Zeno Inc have recalled Zeno Infant Walkers. These walkers fail to meet child safety standards for two reasons: they can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step; their leg opening are large enough to pose entrapment hazards. These defects can lead to child injuries or death. About 1355 of these walkers were sold online at Walmart.com. If you bought one of them, contact Zeno by email at cs@zeno999.com for receive a prepaid return shipping label. One the company receives your walker, you will receive a full refund.
#zeno #infantwalker #fall #entrapment #injuries #death #recall
zeno, infantwalker, fall, entrapment, injuries, death, recall
Yet Another Polaris Recall Due to a Throttle Issue
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/dz0Dr7hvrVA
The CPSC and Polaris have issued another recall, this time on Polaris 2022 MATRYX RMK snowmobiles. The throttle release switch may fail to disengage when the throttle lever is released leading to loss of vehicle control and a crash hazard. About 7400 of these snowmobiles were sold in the Us and about 3647 were sold in Canada all at Polaris dealers. If you own one of riding it. Contact your Polaris dealer to arrange a free inspection and repair if necessary. For more information, contact Polaris by phone at 1-800-765-2747 or online at polaris.com.
#polaris #snowmobile #throttle #crash #recall
polaris, snowmobile, throttle, crash, recall
H&M Children’s Sleepwear Sets Are Flammable
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/1izjsy9nWTQ
The CPSC and H&M have recalled H&M Children’s Sleepwear Sets. These garments fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear creating risks of burn injuries for children wearing them. About 615 of these sets were sold in the US and 100 were sold in Canada all online at hm.com. Don’t permit your children to wear this sleepwear. For more information and to obtain a refund, contact H&M customer service by phone at 1-855-466-7467.
#handm #sleepwear #flammable #burns #recall
handm, sleepwear, flammable, burns, recall
Husqvarna All-Wheel Drive Robotic Lawnmowers May Become A Little Too Hot
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/a0S-iq51SH0
The CPSC and Husqvarna have recalled the Husqvarna Automower 435X and 535 All-Wheel Drive Robotic Lawnmowers. The lithium-ion batteries in these mowers may overheat posing fire and burn risks. About 1400 of these mowers were sold at Husqvarna dealers and online at Husqvarna.com. Immediately discontinue use of these mowers and download the free software update that the company is pushing to these recalled units. If it turns out that your more has more than 1200 recharge cycles under its belt, the company will provide you with a free replacement battery. If you need more information about this recall, call Husqvarna at 1-877-257-6921.
#husqvarna #roboticmower #battery #overheating #fires #burns #rrecall
husqvarna, roboticmower, battery, overheating, fires, burns, rrecall
Brake Issues on Yamaha Golf Cars and Personal Transportation Vehicles
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/c-2G0Sn3NPk
The CPSC and Yamaha are recalling Yamaha Golf Cars and Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs) model years 2021 and 2022. These vehicles have defective brakes that create crash hazards that could trigger injuries or death for the driver and/or bystanders. About 5,000 of these vehicles were sold nationwide by Yamaha dealers. If you have one of them, contact your Yamaha gold cart dealer to schedule a free repair. For more information, contact Yamaha by phone at 1-866-747-4027 or online at yamahagolfcar.com.
#yamaha #golfcar #brakes #crash #injury #death
yamaha, golfcar, brakes, crash, injury, death
Anecdote Autumn Glass Double Wick Candles May Flame Up
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/G78UPshXlkM
The CPSC and Anecdote have recalled Anecdote Autumn Glass Candles. These candles may create higher than safe flames causing their glass containers to crack and create fire and laceration hazards. About 19,380 of these candles were sold in the US and 623 were sold in Canada at Anthropologie stores nationwide and online at anthropologie.com. If you have one of these candles, stop using it and return it to an Anthropologie store for a full refund. If that method is inconvenient, visit anthropologie.com/recall for instructions about cutting the wicks, disposing of the candle, and providing photo verification of both to the company in order to obtain your refund.
#anecdote #candle #Anthropologie #fire #burn #recall
anecdote, candle, Anthropologie, fire, burn, recall
Recall on SAACHI Banded Sparkle Sheer Social Wrap Scarves
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/HLve3Q5mauk
The CPSC and the In Things company are recalling SAACHI Branded Sparkle Sheer Social Wrap Scarves. These garments fail to meet flammability standards for clothing textiles and pose a risk of burn injuries. About 200 of these scarves were sold online at saksoff5th.com. If you have one of these scarves, stop wearing it. Contact In-Things Corporation by phone at 1-800-640-8749 or via email saachi.recall@gmail.com to request a prepaid postage mailer to return the scarves for a full refund or a replacement product that meets flammability standards. You can use those same contact modes to request further information about this recall.
#saachi #scarves #flammable #burns #recall
saachi, scarves, flammable, burns, recall
Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Stroller May Unexpectedly Snap
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/JshAtKU1Vyk
The CPSC and Valco Baby are recalling Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Strollers. The stroller’s front wheels may snap off while in use causing the stroller to crash and create a fall hazard for any child riding in the stroller. About 1290 strollers were sold at children’s stores nationwide and online at albeebaby.com, amazon.com, and pishposhbaby.com. If you bought one of these stroller, discontinue using it until repaired. Contact Valco Baby by phone at 1-800-610-7850 or via email at recall@valcobaby.com to receive a free replacement front wheel assembly and instructions for replacement. If you need more information about this recall, use this same contact information.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Valco-Baby-Recalls-Snap-Duo-Trend-Strollers-Due-to-Fall-Hazard
#valco #stroller #wheels #crash #injury #recall
valco, stroller, wheels, crash, injury, recall
Viking Gas Ranges have a Gas Leak
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/p-AxSknoyKc
The CPSC and Viking Ranges now recall Viking 5 Series Freestanding Gas Ranges. The gas tubing may separate at joints to the bake, broil and griddle burners and lead to a gas leak and fire hazards. About 3,050 of these ranges were sold at ABT, Ferguson, Best Buy, Pacific Sales, PC Richard & Son, and other stores nationwide. Immediately stop using this range except for the surface burners and contact Viking Range by phone at 1-888-566-2512 to arrange for a free repair.
#viking #range #gasleak #fire #explosion #recall
viking, range, gasleak, fire, explosion, recall
American Landmaster vehicles may swerve out of control
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/zUPCWAwCcS4
The CPSC and American Landmaster are recalling American Landmaster EV, L3, L4, L5, L5W and L7 Utility Vehicles. The steering assembly may separate creating a loss of control, a crash, and injuries to the driver or bystanders. About 1,050 of these vehicles were sold by American Landmaster dealers nationwide. Immediately stop using these recalled utility vehicles and contact American Landmaster by phone at 1-800-643-7332 or via email at safety@americanlandmaster.com to receive instructions for determining if your vehicle requires repair or to make an appointment for a no-cost inspection and, if necessary, a repair at an authorized repair shop.
#landmaster #utilityvehicles #steering #crash #injury #recall
landmaster, utilityvehicles, steering, crash, injury, recall
Esme Children’s Sleepwear Garments Are Flammable
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/lLFh35yxhhA
The CPSC and Esme have recalled Esme Children’s Sleepwear garments. This sleepwear fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear creating risks of burn injuries for children wearing them. About 3600 of these sets were sold online at esmewear.com and children’s boutiques nationwide. Don’t permit your children to wear this sleepwear. For more information and to obtain a refund, contact Esme by phone at 1-833-961-7011 or via email at recall@esmewear.com.
#esme #sleepwear #flammable #burns #recall
Esme, sleepwear, flammable, burns, recall
x
==========================
FDA Recalls
==========================
Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/vh5T_8d5M9M
The FDA and Abbott are recalling several powdered formulas including Similac, Alimentun, and EleCare. These products were found by consumers to contain bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii or Salmonella Newport. Abbott’s retesting of the contaminated samples failed to show these pathogenic bacteria, but the products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution. The products in question may be identified by having a multidigit number on the bottom of the container that begins with the first two digits 22 through 37 and then contains K8, SH, or Z2. The recalled products have an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after. Do not use these products until you check that the version you have is safe. You can do so at similacrecall.com or by calling 1-800-986-8540 and this phone number is your source for more information about this recall.
#formulas #similac #alimentum #elecare #cronobacter #salmonella #infection #recall
formulas, similac, alimentum, elecare, cronobacter, salmonella, infection, recall
Recalled are Snack Worthy, Woody’s Smokehouse, Texas Best Smokehouse Yogurt Raisins
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/WmZnSrZrksk
The FDA and the Lehi Valley Trading Company are recalling Snack Worthy, Woody’s Smokehouse, Texas Best Smokehouse Yogurt Raisins. These products have undeclared peanuts and if ingested by a peanut-allergic individual can trigger severe and sometimes life-threatening reactions. If you bought these products, return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact Lehi Valley by phone at 1-480-684-1430.
#yogurtraisins #peanuts #allergy #recall
yogurtraisins, peanuts, allergy, recall
Brut and Sure Men’s Spray may be toxic
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/jHpeimG8WAo
The FDA and HRB Brands are recalling Brut and Sure Aerosol Antiperspirant and Deodorant Sprays. The propellants in these products are contaminated with benzene. Benzene is a human carcinogen that has been associated with leukemias and bone marrow cancers and other blood disorders. Stop using these products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact TCP Hot Acquisition by phone at 1-866-615-0976.
#brut #sure #antiperspirant #deodorant #aerosol #benzene #cancer #recall
brut, sure, antiperspirant, deodorant, aerosol, benzene, cancer, recall
More Dried Salted Plums Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/T4td-26CRAs
The FDA and Candies Toleca are recalling Toleca Saladitos (Dried Salted Plums) and Saladitos con Chile y Limon (Dried Plums with Chili & Lemon). These products are contaminated with lead, a neurotoxic substance, particularly for infants, young children, and a developing fetus. These products were sold in California, Nevada, and Utah. Do not consume these products. Return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information,, call Candies Tolteca at 1-866-865-8322.
#driedplums #toleca #lead #poisoning #recall
driedplums, toleca, lead, poisoning, recall
More Royal Ice Cream Brands recalled for contamination
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/CoVRKi3808c
The Royal Ice Cream Co. with the FDA’s blessing is expanding its ice cream recall to include their products sold under the following brands: Batch, Ronny Brook, New Orleans, Maple Valley, Art Cream, Sweet Scoops, Gelato Fiasco, Big Iggy’s, Munson Chipwich, Giffords, Chewy Louie, Snow Wich, Newport Creamery, Dough Wich, Doris Italian Markets, as well as Royal. These products are contaminated with listeria monocyogenes. This bacterium can cause serious and life-threatening infections in the very young, elders, and those immunosuppressed. These products were sold in: MA, CT, RI, VT, NY, LA, FL, TX, NH. If you bought any of these products, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call Royal at 1-860-649-5358.
#royal #icecream #listeria #infection #recall
Royal, icecream, listeria, infection, recall