France buzzes with anger over reversal of pesticide ban
Yet if Carolyn Bouguet's home in Saint-Chéron is a picture of rural tranquillity, her mood is one of anguish and anger after France's parliament passed a law authorising the reintroduction of a banned pesticide. She says the product — acetamiprid — is a threat to the bees that she has kept in her garden for the past decade, and also a danger for biodiversity and human health.
'I guess my biggest fear is that I am waiting for the roulette wheel to turn on which ailment I'm going to be given,' she said.
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Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Scientists reveal exactly how many microplastic particles we inhale in our homes and cars every day – it's 100 times MORE than previous estimates
From the depths of The Mariana Trench to the summit of Everest, microplastics can be found almost everywhere on Earth. Now, a study has revealed just how many toxic particles are lurking in our homes and cars. Scientists from the University of Toulouse collected air samples from their own homes as well as their cars in realistic driving conditions. Their analysis revealed that adults inhale about 68,000 microplastics measuring 10 micrometers across or less every day – 100 times more than previous estimates suggested. Worryingly, these particles are small enough to penetrate our lungs, according to the experts. 'Everywhere we look, we find microplastics, even in the air we breathe inside our homes and cars,' the team said. 'The biggest concern is how small these particles are – completely invisible to the naked eye. We inhale thousands of them every day without even realizing it. 'Deep inside our lungs, microplastics release toxic additives that reach our blood and cause multiple diseases.' Previous studies have detected microplastics suspended in the air across a wide range of outdoor and indoor environments. However, most research has focused on particles ranging in size from 20 to 200 micrometers. In their new study, the team decided to focus on smaller particles ranging in size from one to 10 micrometers – which are more likely to penetrate the lungs. The researchers collected air samples from their own apartments and cars, before using a technique called Raman spectroscopy to measure the concentrations of microplastics. Their analysis revealed that the average concentration of microplastics in a home is 528 particles per cubic metre, while in cars it is 2,238 particles per cubic metre. Almost all (94 per cent) of the particles were smaller than 10 micrometres. By combining these results with previously published data on exposure to indoor microplastics, the researchers estimate that the average adult inhales about 3,200 microplastic particles ranging in size from 10 to 300 micrometres every day. We also breathe in an estimated 68,000 particles of one to 10 micrometres – 10 times more than we previously thought. 'We found that over 90% of the microplastic particles in indoor air across both homes and cars were smaller than 10 µm, small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs,' the researchers said. 'This was also the first study to measure microplastics in the car cabin environment, and overall, we detected indoor concentrations up to 100 times higher than previous extrapolated estimates, revealing indoor air as a major and previously underestimated exposure route of fine particulate microplastic inhalation.' Currently, research investigating how microplastics affect human health is in its infancy, but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting they could be harmful. Since plastics contain chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic, scientists are concerned that a buildup of microplastics could damage tissues in our bodies. In rodent studies, exposure to high levels of microplastics has been found to damage organs, including the intestines, lungs, liver, and reproductive system. In humans, early studies have suggested a potential link between microplastic exposure and conditions such as cardiovascular disease and bowel cancer. HOW MUCH PLASTIC POLLUTION DO WE BREATHE IN PER DAY? Plastic pollution has become so widespread that we may be inhaling up to 130 tiny pieces a day, research found. Fibres from fleece and polyester clothing and particles from urban dust and car tyres are the biggest sources of so-called microplastics in the air. The tiny specks are lighter than air and could cause asthma, heart disease and auto-immune conditions, the research, published in December 2017, found. The study, a review of a number of recent plastics studies, revealed washing a single polyester garment can produce 1,900 plastic fibres. This plastic pollution is on the rise as more and more synthetic clothing is produced. While only people working with plastic fibres are known to develop respiratory problems, experts say the pollution is so widespread that it may now pose a risk to everyone's health. The study's author, Dr Joana Correia Prata, of Fernando Pessoa University in Portugal, said: 'The evidence suggests that an individual's lungs could be exposed to between 26 and 130 airborne microplastics a day, which would pose a risk for human health, especially in susceptible individuals, including children.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
The nine health conditions most at risk of being hit by Universal Credit and PIP cuts
SOME disabled Universal Credit claimants face cuts to their payments when new Government rules come in, campaigners have warned. Labour is planning to bring in major reforms to the benefits system that will see Universal Credit payments slashed for new claimants. 1 A bill intended to cut back on welfare spending was heavily watered down last month following a rebellion by backbench MPs. But some MPs and disability campaigners are still warning benefit claimants with serious, lifelong illnesses could see their out-of-work benefits halved under the reforms. They are worried people with degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis (MS) could be affected, as well as those with serious mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The campaigners say people with these conditions could miss out on the Universal Credit health element, which is worth about £3,000 a year. MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee have called for the cut to be paused until an independent impact assessment on the changes can be carried out. Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, told The i newspaper that ministers should look again at the criteria for the higher rate of Universal Credit. "The bill creates a two-tier system which will result in people with identical conditions being treated entirely differently, based on an arbitrary cut-off point. "There is no justice or equity in that. It's simply not the right thing to do," he said. Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, said it was "reckless to go ahead with the planned cuts" without an impact assessment. Meanwhile James Taylor, head of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said: "We are concerned that the changes to the health component of Universal Credit will create a two-tier system where some disabled people receive more support than others. "We believe this approach is unfair and that it does not reflect the realities of disabled people's lives." What is Universal Credit and what changes are being made? Universal Credit is a monthly payment given out to those who are struggling to make ends meet. Changes to UC & PIP payments in full as Labour reveals bruising welfare bill concessions in bid to quell rebellion More than three million recipients of Universal Credit don't have to find work due to their poor health. A single person who is aged 25 or over can receive the basic level of Universal Credit, which comes in at £400.14 every month. But you can get a further £422.37 by claiming the incapacity top-up if you have a disability or long-term condition. This more than doubles the original payment. People who currently receive Universal Credit will be protected from changes to the Welfare Reform Bill. But new claimants will have their payment halved to £217.26. Only new claimants who meet a "severe conditions criteria" will get the full amount - so those with severe, lifelong conditions will remain protected. However, disability groups have warned that those with degenerative illnesses or fluctuating conditions, which can vary day to day, might still have their payments slashed. This is because the new criteria demands a health condition be constant. Which conditions could be affected? There is no full or official list of conditions that could be affected by the change as the "severe conditions" criteria hasn't yet been fully decided. But anti-poverty charity Z2K has said there are at least six health conditions it believes could be affected by the change. They are: Parkinson's Schizophrenia Multiple sclerosis Bipolar disorder Autism Dementia A select committee report on the matter also mentions ME, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and eating disorders. Its understood claimants will not be assessed on what their condition is but on how it impacts them. No conditions are excluded from the "severe conditions" criteria and it will be considered for all health conditions and disabilities. Ayla Ozmen, director of policy and campaigns at Z2K, told The Sun: "Disabled people with conditions like Parkinsons, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis are at risk of losing out on over £200 per month as a result of cuts to the Universal Credit health element which have been approved by parliament. "Contrary to government claims, we fear that many of the disabled people affected will never be able to work because of their conditions. "We're calling on the government to clarify how it will ensure that disabled people with severe conditions will be protected under these plans." A Government spokesperson said: "Our welfare reforms will support those who can work into jobs and ensure there is always a safety net for those that need it. The impact assessment shows our reforms will lift 50,000 children out of poverty – and our additional employment support will lift even more families out of poverty. "The reforms will rebalance Universal Credit rates to reduce the perverse incentives that trap people out of work, alongside genuinely helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into good, secure work – backed by £3.8billion in employment support over this parliament. "We are also tackling poverty by extending free school meals to all households on Universal Credit, helping to address holiday hunger with our Crisis and Resilience Fund, supporting over a million households by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions, and delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, as part of our Plan for Change." What other changes are being made? The Government had hoped to bring in even tougher measures to stop the increasing cost of welfare from spiralling out of control. It previously projected the number of working-age claimants of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will rise from 2.7million in 2023-24 to 4.3million in 2029-30. Meanwhile the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimated the overall cost of the working-age benefit system would rise from £48.5billion last year to £75.7billion by 2030. As part of its Welform Reform Bill, the Government had planned to introduce stricter qualifying measures for those claiming PIP and freezing the extra health payments available to those on Universal Credit who are unable to work. An FOI carried out by advice website Benefits and Work showed a staggering 154,000 people with back pain as their main health issue were likely to lose their PIP under Labour's stricter rules. Some of the other conditions at risk included arthritis, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, anxiety and depression. But following the backlash from MPs, it's unclear so far how PIP could change as a review is now going to be carried out by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms. The paper, which will not be published until the end of next year, will set out recommendations for the Government.
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Telegraph
Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola: The health benefits of blue cheese
Though it's as closely associated with France as baguettes, strings of onions (worn around the neck, of course) and the Eiffel Tower, the French are turning their backs on smelly cheese. That's according to a study by the OpinionWay Institute for the Académie Phormos, a Parisian association of eminent cheese lovers, which found that 9 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds and 5 per cent of the general population said they wouldn't eat strong cheese. The findings will have been received particularly badly for producers of blue cheeses, which were roughly half as popular as soft and semi-hard ones. Still, it's not all bad news for cheesemakers who work with penicillium roqueforti and other moulds to turn their cheese blue. A comprehensive review from Université Clermont Auvergne last year found that blue cheeses such as French Roquefort, English Stilton and Italian Gorgonzola are a good source of bioactive peptides and essential amino acids, which are created when the penicillium mould grows within the cheese. One of the most powerful compounds found in blue cheese, spermidine, has even been linked to anti-ageing properties and all sorts of other 'miracle' effects. But is some blue cheese healthier than others? Here's everything you need to know. The health benefits of blue cheese Boosts your gut health The importance of good gut health has been one of the biggest discoveries in the science of overall health in our lifetimes, and blue cheese can play a part in that. 'Blue cheese is also a great source of beneficial bacteria, which plays a vital role in nourishing the bacteria in the gut,' says Hope. 'Obtaining a healthy gut has been associated with a wide range of health outcomes such as improved weight management, a higher functioning immune system, better sleep, improved stress management and even the ability to make healthier dietary and lifestyle choices.' However, Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian and spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, is sceptical about whether the effect is from the cheese itself, or the way we're consuming it. 'The lower gut is mainly devoid of oxygen and most moulds like those used to make blue cheese tend to metabolise with oxygen,' Dr Mellor explains. 'Yeast can do it without oxygen, but fungi-like moulds? I'd be surprised if it makes it that far. Potentially the cellular structure might make it useful to the bacteria in the gut, but I'm hesitant to say that for certain. But if you're having your Stilton with broccoli, you're getting fibre from the vegetables, which we know feeds good gut bacteria.' It's high in calcium and protein Another benefit about all cheeses is that they're a good source of calcium. 'Calcium is really abundant in most cheeses because they're made with milk, which is produced by cows to promote bone development in their calves, and that's really important in building strong bones and teeth for us too,' says Hope. 'Cheese can be a great source of protein and healthy fats along with calcium and phosphorus, which is pivotal for supporting a healthy heart, bones and teeth,' Hope adds. 'Protein plays an important role in hormone function, energy, cell function and satiety.' Is it worth remembering, however, that hard cheeses like parmesan tend to be higher in calcium and protein than the softer and more crumbly cheeses. Could help prevent heart disease The usual health advice is to avoid saturated fat if you want to lower your risk of heart disease. However, the saturated fat in cheese might be less dangerous than other kinds. For example, a 2021 University of Cambridge study found that people eating dairy were less likely to get cardiovascular illnesses than those who were eating the same amount of saturated fat from red meat. Meanwhile, one 2019 review of studies found that fermented dairy such as cheese actually protected against conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether the dairy was low or full-fat. 'Yogurt and cheese contain vitamin K2 and fermentation products that previous studies have linked to lower heart disease risk,' the study's co-author Prof Nita Forouhi told The Telegraph. One of those fermentation products is spermidine, which has also been shown to improve heart health and increase longevity. Improves your metabolism 'Fermented dairy contains a lot of short-chain fatty acids, which are linked to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and increasing metabolism,' says Dr Mellor. 'Again, it's in the context of cheese as part of a healthy diet with a few grapes and celery on the side and not a load of high fat and salty biscuits. 'Those short-chain fatty acids can help regulate your appetite, especially when eaten with fibre,' Dr Mellor continues. 'Consuming them has a signalling effect to our brains, telling us to start digesting, which speeds up our metabolism, lowering cholesterol. So they're a bit of a regulator in our diets.' Fermented cheese could help with dementia In 2016, a team of scientists at the University Of Tokyo found that the peptides and lactic acid bacteria may indicate 'that fermented dairy products have preventive effects against dementia, including Alzheimer's disease'. This is because a number of molecules created when the mould used in the fermentation process breaks down the cheese were found to reduce inflammation in the brain. In 2020, researchers also linked spermidine to improved cognitive performance in people with mild and moderate dementia, while a 2022 study suggested that spermidine would be a good therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Which blue cheese is healthiest? Of the three most common varieties of blue cheese – Stilton, Roquefort and Gorgonzola – it's the English that comes out as the healthiest overall, says Hope. 'Stilton is the highest in protein and contains a lot of spermidine,' says Hope. 'However, be mindful that it is probably also the highest in saturated fat, so you should consume it in moderation. Thirty grams per week is probably enough.' Roquefort is lower in calories and saturated fat than Stilton, and is still a rich source of protein, but does contain less than its English cousin. Italian Gorgonzola contains the lowest levels of saturated fat and also the least salt, but likely contains the least of that miraculous spermidine too. Risks of eating blue cheese For all its benefits, there are also some risks associated with eating too much blue cheese. It can be fairly high in sodium (salt) compared to other kinds of cheese. One hundred grams of Roquefort contains almost three times as much salt as the same amount of cheddar. 'It definitely depends on the variety so make sure to read the label, some blue cheeses can have up to half a teaspoon of salt per 100g,' says Dr Mellor. 'A high-salt diet is linked to high blood pressure which is also linked to heart attacks and strokes, so you have to be aware that the salt in the cheese might well out-do any of the potential benefits you'd get from the spermidine.' 'It is important to highlight that those with a reduced immune function: elderly with compromised health, very young children and pregnant women should avoid blue cheese due to a risk of bacterial contamination,' adds Hope. Dr Mellor advises that 20-25g of blue cheese, two or three times a week, is probably the right amount. 'The advantage of blue cheese is that the flavour is really strong, so you don't need much to really give a dish plenty of flavour,' he says. Verdict: is blue cheese good for you? Yes, to an extent. 'It has some benefits but the salt content is a cautionary flag for me,' says Dr Mellor. 'It creates strong flavours which means you don't need to use too much of it so that's positive. For most people, you don't need to eat a lot of blue cheese so it's a good flavour addition.' We know that spermidine has plenty of important uses in keeping the body healthy and youthful, though Dr Mellor isn't sure that the vigorous and hearty people who have the highest levels of spermidine in their bodies are necessarily getting it all from cheese. 'Anything that has lots of cells in it will contain quite a lot of spermidine,' he adds. 'When you start looking at populations that have a high amount of spermidine in their diet, they don't just eat a lot of aged and fermented cheese, they also eat a lot of wholegrains, vegetables, fruits and mushrooms. It's no surprise that people who eat lots of these things have a long, healthy life – it's the Mediterranean diet.' Healthy blue cheese recipes
