health risks Archives - Page 4 of 4

Nov212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

The Hidden Danger of Asbestos in Everyday Products

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

Asbestos widely used for its heat resistance and durability, has a dark legacy as a carcinogen responsible for mesothelioma, an aggressive and incurable cancer. Its use spanned diverse applications, from construction materials to the fake snow in classic films like The Wizard of Oz and White Christmas. Despite its hazards, asbestos wasn't banned in the UK until 1999, decades after its dangers were established. Today, concerns about asbestos persist not in construction but in cosmetics. Investigations have revealed traces of asbestos in some talc-based products, raising fresh alarms about its hidden risks in everyday items. How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma Asbestos is a group of six fibrous minerals, including chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos), that can fr...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi as Air Pollution Soars to 50 Times WHO Limit

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi, India – A dense toxic smog blanketed New Delhi on Wednesday, with pollution levels surging to over 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit. Residents of the sprawling city of over 30 million grappled with choking air, as monitoring firm IQAir reported hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants topping 806 micrograms per cubic meter – microparticles that pose severe risks as they can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Many in the city cannot afford air filters or create sealed indoor spaces to protect themselves, and the smog has led to delayed flights, with visibility dropping below 500 meters in Delhi and even lower at 18 airports across northern India. The hazardous air is attributed to a range of factors, including agricultural stubble burning i...

Nov92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Urgent Call for Climate Services: New WMO Report Shows Critical Gaps in Climate Information Access

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

As climate change intensifies, so does the urgent need for actionable climate services to help communities mitigate, adapt, and build resilience against increasing risks. A recent multi-agency report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights both progress and pressing gaps in the availability of climate information essential for informed decision-making. Despite advancements in some regions, the report warns that investments in climate services fall far short of what’s needed to address today’s unprecedented environmental challenges. Climate Services in the Spotlight The State of Climate Services 2024 report emphasizes that climate services are more essential than ever to help nations adapt to intensifying climate extremes. From planning crop cycles to preparing for...

Nov92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UN Climate Talks Begin Amid Record Heat and Health Warnings

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

With record-breaking heat, extreme weather, and rising health risks, experts warn that climate change poses a grave threat to human health worldwide. As the COP29 negotiations open in Azerbaijan next week marking what could be the hottest year on record climate impacts on human well-being are in sharp focus, particularly given increasing global fossil fuel emissions. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the urgency of climate action, declaring that “climate change is making us sick, and urgent action is a matter of life and death.” Here’s how global warming is already impacting health. Extreme Heat This year is set to be the hottest on record, surpassing previous years and likely marking the first time temperatures exceed 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average. The n...

Jun292024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

FDA Approves First Non-Tobacco Flavored E-Cigarettes, Raises Concerns for Youth

Breaking News, Environment

US Food and Drug Administration authorized the first non-tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes to be sold in the US. Two of the four newly licensed products are sealed, pre-filled containers of menthol-flavored nicotine liquid that can be used in various types of e-cigarettes. The other two are disposable nicotine e-cigarettes meaning the device cannot be reused after the pre-filled menthol liquid has been used. In an interview, Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a smoking and e-cigarette health policy expert, was asked to explain the downsides of FDA licensing and what it means for vulnerable populations. What does the new announcement from the FDA mean? An electronic cigarette, also known as a vape, is a hand-operated, battery-powered device that heats a liquid to create a vapor that can be...

Jun202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Poses Growing Threat to Maternal and Infant Health, New Research Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

Climate change, one of the most pressing health threats facing humanity, is now being linked to long-term adverse health and socioeconomic effects on children born during periods of extreme heat. A systematic review of existing research has revealed alarming connections between rising temperatures and poor health outcomes for both mothers and their babies, prompting urgent calls for action. Rising Temperatures and Health Risks The new study highlights that global warming, an integral aspect of climate change, is exacerbating health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children. Previous research has already established that heat exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, gestational hypert...