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Cell Phones & Cancer: A Controversial New Warning

Kristina Labanauskas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:47:34 GMT

Talking less on your cell phone might save more than just minutes. For the first time, an academic cancer research institute has made a warning linking cancer and cell phone use.

Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, issued a warning to faculty and staff Wednesday to limit cell phone use due to the possible risk of cancer.

He advised that children should use cell phones only for emergencies because their brains are still developing and that adults should keep the phone away from their head. The better alternative is to use a speakerphone or wireless headset. He also warned against using cell phones in public places because it exposes others to the cell phone’s electromagnetic fields.

According to the National Cancer institute, there is no definitive link between electromagnetic radiation and tumors of the brain and central nervous system. Still, there are studies being done and results that have not been completed or published. This is Dr. Herberman’s concern, and his warning is based on unpublished data. He feels, however, that people should not wait for definitive data to be published, which takes time.

Dr. Herberman’s warning goes against many studies that deny a link between cancer and cell phone usage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not overly concerned, either, noting that if there is a risk it is probably very small.

Currently, the published evidence is inconclusive in terms of finding a direct link between cancer and phone use. But, making some of these minor adjustments to our lives might not be that difficult and might have benefits in the long run. Is it that difficult switch to the speakerphone or a head set as we await more conclusive studies? Or, is it really that much of a problem to keep kids off the cell phones, unless in the case of emergencies? Mull it over, as, at least for now, the majority is of the opinion that there is no need for alarm.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Glen Ellyn youth hockey tournament evacuated due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Barry Doyle — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:46:25 GMT

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can cause serious short and long-term health problems. Unfortunately, the danger is even more serious since the gas has no smell, taste, or color to identify it by, so people can be exposed to it for long periods of time without realizing that anything is wrong.

A recent accident at an Illinois ice-rink only further illustrates the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, and the need for increased safety measures concerning the gas. According to the Chicago Tribune:

Thirteen people were taken to area hospitals after they were overwhelmed by carbon monoxide fumes at [an ice rink] near Glen Ellyn, according to the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company.

Another 29 were treated at the scene and released. None of the injuries was considered serious.

Fire crews responded to the ice rink about 5:30 p.m. after a number of people complained of headaches, dizziness and vomiting, fire spokesman Craig Eldridge said.

Several hundred people were inside the rink for a teen ice hockey tournament, he said.

As of now, the cause of the carbon monoxide leak is still unknown.

While early reports do insist that all those affected by the gas are only suffering short-term affects, it is important to be aware of the long-term health effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide works by changing the level of oxygen in the bloodstream, which results in cellular death and organ damage. The most serious affect of carbon monoxide poisoning is death, which can occur gradually or within minutes, depending on the concentration of the fumes being inhaled. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

Red colouration of skin due to lack of oxygen

Shortness of breath

Nausea and vomiting

Headaches

Dizziness

Fatigue

Light-headedness

Weakness

Muscle fatigue and general fatigue

Chest pain

Loss of consciousness

Short of death, carbon monoxide poisoning can also cause long-term damage to the brain, which thus cause memory, coordination, and vision impairment; headaches; and behavioral and personality changes. Carbon monoxide can also have an adverse affect on other parts of the body, such as the heart and bladder. While many of these symptoms may wear off after long periods of time, damage to the brain and some other organs is often permanent.

The silver lining in this ice-rink incident is that there were many people that all experienced the same symptoms at the same time, which alerted authorities to the problem relatively quickly. Since carbon monoxide is a "silent killer", many people often are killed by it simply because they were exposed to for long periods of time it in their home without realizing it. They write off the symptoms of headaches or nausea as being incidental, never knowing that these are warning signs of a much graver issue.

If you begin to experience any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, or if multiple members of your household start experiencing these symptoms, you should immediately get your house checked for a gas leak. It is difficult to do on your own, but a professional will be able to help you. It is also important for you to educate your friends and family about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, so they can help themselves, and then pass the knowledge on. Knowledge is power, especially against a "silent killer" like carbon monoxide.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Barry Doyle

Mentally Ill Patients Pose Danger to Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Kristina Labanauskas — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:40:05 GMT

There has been a significant increase in the number of mentally ill patients residing in nursing homes. And, mixing frail elderly with younger and stronger mentally ill patients in nursing homes has resulted in violence throughout the country.

Nearly 125,000 young and middle-aged adults with serious mental illness lived in U.S. nursing homes last year. That was a 41 percent increase from 2002, when nursing homes housed nearly 89,000 mentally ill people ages 22 to 64. Younger mentally ill people now make up more than 9 percent of the nation's nearly 1.4 million nursing home residents, up from 6 percent in 2002.

This increase is in large part a result of the closing of state mental institutions, the shortage of hospital psychiatric beds, and the surplus in nursing home beds, as today’s elderly are more likely to stay in their homes as they are healthier than previous generations.

States are responsible for screening mentally ill patients, as federal law prohibits nursing homes from admitting a mentally ill individual unless the state has found that person needs the nursing home’s high level of care.

Although federal law guarantees residents the right to be free from physical abuse, a number of tragic cases have occurred in nursing homes.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of abuse, contact a professional to discuss whether legal action should be pursued.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Metra Train Kills Pedestrian

Kristina Labanauskas — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:10:00 GMT

A Union Pacific Northwest Line train inbound to Chicago struck and killed a pedestrian near the Arlington Heights Station, located at Northwest Highway and Evergreen Avenue. The tragic accident took place this morning just after 7:30 a.m.

This is the second fatality on the tracks this week. On Wednesday night, about 5:10 p.m., the Chicago Fire Department was notified about a pedestrian who was possibly struck by a train in the 2300 block of South Springfield Avenue on Chicago's South Side. There has been no confirmation to date that the train hit the man, however.

In 2007, the most recent reporting year for statistics, the Federal Railroad Administration reported 2, 278 collisions, 339 fatalities, and 986 injuries occurring at highway-rail grade crossings.

As the cost of gas goes up, so does the number of people who are likely to take public transportation. This is good for the environment and for your wallet. However, pedestrians and driver must be especially cautious when on or near the tracks.

Operation Lifesaver provides pedestrian railway safety tips:

1) Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.

2) Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale sounds. Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.

3) Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.

4) Never walk down a train track; it is illegal and dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Chicago-bound Amtrak Train Derails Outside Joliet

Kristina Labanauskas — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:51:33 GMT

An Amtrak train derailed on Monday evening after a set of wheels jumped the track.

There were 112 passengers aboard Lincoln Service Train 304. The train remained upright, and no one was injured, according to Amtrak.

The train was headed from St. Louis to Chicago. The derailment happened just south of Joliet. There were only 3 stops left: Joliet, Summit and Chicago’s Union Station. Passengers stayed on the train and waited for buses to transport them to their destination stops.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

With some car crashes, there is more than meets the eye

Barry Doyle — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:54:17 GMT

Not every car crash requires the help of a personal injury lawyer. Coming from an Illinois personal injury attorney that may strange, but for some car accidents, especially those with soft tissue injuries, the car accident victim may come out ahead economically by dealing directly with the insurance company without the assistance of a lawyer because the lawyer may not add enough to the settlement to justify the fees and costs incurred. However, where there the accident results in a wrongful death or more serious injuries such as brain injuries, ruptured disks, or broken bones that require surgery to repair, personal injury lawyers can provide a valuable service to car accident victims by identifying other defendants who may be potentially liable for the injuries from the car crash.

One issue that must be investigated in any serious auto accident case is whether the negligent driver was working when the wreck happened. Under a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior, an employer is liable for the negligence of its employees, including unsafe driving of a car or truck. In some of the car accident cases our office has handled, our investigation showed that the negligent driver was working when the crash happened. This allowed us to reach the insurance coverage of the employers to compensate our clients, instead of being limited to the employee’s personal car auto liability policies. For example:

Our client suffered serious injuries that required a hip replacement and a knee replacement in an auto accident at O'Hare Airport. The other driver was a bank employee who was going to the airport to pick up an executive for a meeting. Since the trip to the airport was work-related, the bank was liable for his unsafe driving.
In a pedestrian knockdown accident, our client was walking in a crosswalk when she was struck by a turning car and broke several bones. The driver was a salesman for a drug company who was going to a medical office for a sales presentation when accident occurred. This meant that the drug company was also liable for our client’s injuries.

In both of the auto accident cases described above, we learned during our investigation that there were other entities which could be held liable for the injuries our clients suffered. Our clients were able to recover significantly larger amounts of compensation for their injuries because of what we learned through our investigation. People who are in serious car accidents owe it to themselves and their families to make sure that there is a proper investigation by an experienced personal injury lawyer to identify all of the potentially liable defendants before signing away their rights in a settlement.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Barry Doyle

Village of Crestwood Supplies Contaminated Water to Residents

Kristina Labanauskas — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:57:00 GMT

A Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that for more than 20 years, residents of Crestwood, Illinois, have been unknowingly drinking contaminated tap water. The water was contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems.

At least 22 years ago, state environmental officials advised Crestwood village officials that dangerous chemicals related to a dry-cleaning solvent had contaminated water in a certain well. Despite this advisement, the Crestwood officials continued to use the well, seemingly to cut costs.

In 1986, Crestwood officials told state regulators that the well would only be used in emergency situations and that all its water would be taken from Lake Michigan. Alarmingly, however, records reveal that Crestwood routinely continued to draw water from the contaminated well. In fact, in certain months, up to 20% of Crestwood’s water supply was taken from this well.

In 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tested this water for the first time in 20 years. The EPA found that the well was still contaminated and that Crestwood had continued to supply residents with the untreated, contaminated water. As a result, the EPA issued two citations to Crestwood for violation of environmental laws, and the well was finally turned off for good. Despite this, the EPA has not yet notified people who drank from the well all those years, and the investigation is still under way.

It is unknown if the contaminated water in fact contributed to any health problems. State officials maintain the risks were minimal because the well water was heavily diluted with treated lake water, though dilution is generally not acceptable to ensure safe drinking water. One of the chemicals found in the well was vinyl chloride, and there was more than twice the legal limit for drinking water found in the well. According to the EPA, there is no safe level of exposure to vinyl chloride.

Crestwood finally shut off the well after the EPA gave them the choice of doing so or paying for expensive treatment to limit chemical exposure.

If you think you may have been exposed to contaminated water in Crestwood, contact a legal professional to discuss whether you should pursue a cause of action.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Salmonella Outbreak: FDA says avoid foods with peanut butter

Kristina Labanauskas — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:45:00 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging the public to avoid eating foods that contain peanut butter until more is learned about the recent deadly salmonella outbreak.

According to the FDA, most peanut butter sold in jars at supermarkets seems to be safe, and there is no indication that major national name-brand jars are linked to the recall. Rather, peanut butter cookies and crackers are of concern.

This is an ingredient-driven outbreak. The focus is on peanut paste and peanut butter that was produced at a Blakely, Ga., facility owned by Peanut Corp. of America. The peanut paste is contained in cookies, cakes and products for purchase in supermarkets. And, this peanut butter, though not sold directly to consumers, is distributed to institutions and food companies.

The Kellogg Co. has recalled Austin, Keebler and Famous Amos-brand peanut butter cookies and crackers. You can see the full list at kelloggs.com.

Additionally, the Iowa-based Hy-Vee supermarket chain recalled peanut butter products made in its bakeries, and Perry’s Ice Cream Co., based in Akron, N.Y. recalled products containing peanut butter.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typhimurium, the bacteria behind the outbreak, is common and is not an unusually dangerous strain. The elderly or those with weakened immune systems are more at risk. Still, more than 470 people have become sick in 43 states, at least 90 were hospitalized, and at least 6 deaths have been linked thus far.

The CDC's recommendations for consumers include:

Do not eat products that have been recalled and throw them away in a manner that prevents others from eating them.

Postpone eating other peanut butter containing products (such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream) until information becomes available about whether that product may be affected.

Persons who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health care providers.

Please click the link for more additional information on salmonella and some safety tips from a previous post.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Bike Helmet Safety: Use your head

Kristina Labanauskas — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:00:00 GMT

It should come as no surprise that wearing a helmet while biking might help reduce your risk of injury in the event of a fall or accident. But, are you aware of just how dangerous not wearing a helmet can be?

Lack of helmet use is a leading cause of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which occurs as a result of a blow to the head that causes damage to the brain. A TBI occurs every 21 seconds in the U.S. And, 85% of all TBI is preventable.

According to 2006 statistics from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, 44,000 cyclists were reported in traffic crashes in 2006. 1 in 8 of those with reported injuries had a brain injury. 770 bicyclists died on U.S. roads; over 90% died in crashes with motor vehicles. And, 2/3 of the deaths were from traumatic brain injury.

Clearly, wearing a helmet is fundament in terms of bike safety. Still, wearing a helmet in and of itself is not enough. You need to wear the right helmet and use the helmet correctly. Essentially, the helmet must be safe and must fit properly

Safe helmets have an endorsement of sorts. You should notice a sticker on the helmet from one of the following groups: the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or the SNELL Standards for Protective Headgear.

In terms of a proper fit, here are some basic requirements:

-Accurate measurements: The helmet is intended to be worn level across the top of your head. Measure accordingly.

-Snug fit: The helmet should not move more than one inch in any direction.

-Adjust straps: Be sure to adjust the helmet straps so they are snug. If there is still movement, use foam pads (which should be included with the helmet) to ensure a good fit.

Finally, if you are in a bike accident, replace the helmet. There might be damage to the helmet that you can’t see but might affect the helmet’s protection level nonetheless. You might be out a few bucks (literally, as acceptable helmets range from $10-$20), but in terms of safety, you will be in better shape.

In addition to wearing the right helmet, there are other safety measures to be taken. You should be familiar with and adhere to the rules of the road and wear additional safety gear that applies to your particular needs (for example reflective gear for night biking).

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas

Back to School: Child Backpack Safety

Kristina Labanauskas — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:27:00 GMT

The start of August means that another summer will soon be a distant memory. It also means for many kids that less time will be spent at pool parties and more time will be spent gearing up for the next school year. This is not all bad news, though. There are many great things about the beginning of the school year. There is excitement about a new teacher, new lessons, familiar faces and new friends and classmates. And, you can’t overlook the excitement of back-to-school shopping. Typically the school will assign a basic school supply list: 5 black pens, 10 #2 pencils, 3 pocket folders, etc. Aside from what to buy, though, in many cases the student gets the freedom of putting his or her own personal stamp on the supplies.

One of the most personal and fun purchases is a new back-to-school backpack. Studies indicate that the wrong backpack can cause immediate pain and long term damage to a child’s back. So, in making this purchase parents need to ensure that beyond looking cool, their child’s backpack is safe and appropriate for everyday use.

There are increasing reports of childhood back pain. By the end of their teen years, more than 50% of youths experience at least one low back pain episode. And, research indicates that this increase may be due to improper backpack use.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nearly 5,000 emergency room visits each year result from injuries related to book bags and back carriers.

As a parent, there are several things you can do to help prevent back pain and injuries:

1) Make sure the backpack is well-built and appropriate sized; purchase child-sized backpacks if available

2) Look for packs with padded shoulder straps and waist straps that help distribute the load;

3) Prioritize the items your child carrier and eliminate unnecessary contents so that the pack’s weight does not exceed 15% of your child’s weight;

4) Teach your child to pack the backpack by evenly distributing the pack contents;

5) Advise your child never to carry a backpack over one shoulder (for example, a messenger-style bag); he or she should use both shoulder straps as well as the waist strap, of course in the manner advised by the manufacturer

Another option is to use a rolling backpack, especially for students who must carry a heavy load. Typically, a grade-school student will not be carrying such heavy loads as, for example, a college or graduate student. Grade-school textbooks simply are not as heavy and burdensome as higher education textbooks. Still, unless your child will be inconvenienced by having to roll the backpack up stairs or through snow and rough terrain, it might not be a bad idea to invest in a rolling backpack at an early age to prevent or alleviate back pain or injury.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kristina Labanauskas