Latest news with #healthimpacts
National Post
16-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
What you need to know to understand air quality warnings in Canada
Article content What are the possible health impacts? Article content The immediate health impacts of poor air quality can include difficulty breathing, eye and throat irritation, cough, wheezing and chest tightness, and it can worsen any pre-existing symptoms of respiratory conditions, such as asthma. Article content When it comes to long-term impacts, there's still research to be done on the impact of exposure to wildfire smoke. However, preliminary results show 'an impact on lung function, a slight increased risk of lung cancer, brain tumours, potential increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and a potential effect on childhood development and developmental disorders of childhood,' said Green. Article content 'Wildfire smoke likely has negative health impacts on all body systems and we should avoid repeated and long term exposure,' said Green. Article content On July 14, until 11 a.m., Toronto had an AQHI of 10, meaning it was better to stay indoors, while in Halifax, the AQHI was 2, an ideal air quality for outdoor activities. Article content Article content The poor air quality in many parts of the country, like Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, was caused mainly by the forest fires over Northern Ontario and the Prairies. Article content 'An N95 mask will filter out a large portion of the particulate matter. It's not going to filter out those other air pollutants, like nitrogen dioxide and ozone and it's not a long term solution,' Green said. However, a surgical mask won't help, only an N95 worn correctly. Article content 'If someone must be outside and the AQHI is high, I would say, sure, yes, it will protect you if you wear an N95 mask,' said Green. Article content
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers discover certain gut bacteria can protect you from toxic plastics that increase cancer risks
Could your gut protect you from the toxic impacts of forever chemicals? Forever chemicals, also known as 'PFAS,' are long-lasting, synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since the 1950s. They're found in waterproof clothing, non-stick pans, plastic food packaging, and firefighting foams. Exposure to the chemicals may be tied to negative health impacts, including fertility, developmental delays in children, a weakened immune system, increased cholesterol levels, and a heightened risk of some cancers. There are thousands of forever chemicals that have potentially varying effects and toxicity levels. Now, scientists say they've discovered that some bacteria found in the human gut have the ability to absorb the chemicals — and potentially protect from associated health impacts. 'We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells,' Dr. Kiran Patil, a member of the British University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit, explained in a statement. 'Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects.' Patil was the senior author of the research, which was published in the journal Nature Microbiology. To reach these conclusions, the researchers inserted several species of bacteria from the human gut into mice. The study found that nine species of the bacteria gathered the forever chemicals the rodents ate and then pooped out. When exposed to increasing levels of the chemicals, the bacteria worked even harder, consistently removing the same percentage of the toxic chemicals. Within just minutes of exposure, the bacterial species soaked up between a quarter and nearly two-thirds of the forever chemicals. The same effect has not yet been tested in humans, but the researchers said they plan to use their findings to create probiotic dietary supplements that boost the levels of these species in the gut to shield against any PFAS-related health harms. They are also looking at how they could turbo-charge the species' performance. 'The reality is that PFAS are already in the environment and in our bodies, and we need to try and mitigate their impact on our health now,' Dr. Indra Roux, a researcher at the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and a co-author of the study, said. Until then, the researchers say the best thing people can do to protect themselves is to avoid known risks for exposure. Although, even tap water has been contaminated: nearly half of all tap water in America. Under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency moved to weaken Biden-era standards limiting the pollution of potentially-toxic 'forever chemicals' in U.S. drinking water sources earlier this year. 'PFAS were once considered safe, but it's now clear that they're not,' added fellow researcher Dr. Anna Lindell. 'It's taken a long time for PFAS to become noticed because at low levels they're not acutely toxic. But they're like a slow poison.'
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
How firework smoke impacts air quality in your community
'Tis the season for fireworks as we celebrate the Fourth of July. No doubt they'll fill the skies with pretty colors, but they'll also fill it with smoke. "Smoke, whether it's from wildfires or from fireworks, contains fine particles, which are the things that when you breathe in can get deep into your lungs and cause some health impacts," said Ryan Lueck, an air quality forecaster with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. If the weather is just right, that smoke likes to stick around, sometimes for hours on end. That can take a toll on our heart and lungs. "You can have mild symptoms such as just kind of like burning eyes or a scratchy throat, and it can get quite serious if you're exposed to higher concentrations of fine particles for a longer period of time," Lueck said. It was a perfect storm of ingredients on July 4, 2020. With COVID cancelling larger displays, many individuals set off their own fireworks. Combined with stagnant air over the Twin Cities metro, a state record was set for the highest hourly fine particle concentrations — reaching 657 micrograms per cubic meter. Those levels are nearly 40% higher than the state record for wildfire smoke, set in Grand Portage on June 3, 2025. Though concentrations that high are not in the forecast this year, Lueck says you should still be mindful while having fun. "it's all about being aware and being prepared," Lueck said. "And so you can monitor the current air quality conditions on our website. If you smell the smoke, it's always a good idea to have a respirator mask on hand. Close the windows at night, those types of things. Just try to limit your exposure."
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Researchers discover certain gut bacteria can protect you from toxic plastics that increase cancer risks
Could your gut protect you from the toxic impacts of forever chemicals? Forever chemicals, also known as 'PFAS,' are long-lasting, synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since the 1950s. They're found in waterproof clothing, non-stick pans, plastic food packaging, and firefighting foams. Exposure to the chemicals may be tied to negative health impacts, including fertility, developmental delays in children, a weakened immune system, increased cholesterol levels, and a heightened risk of some cancers. There are thousands of forever chemicals that have potentially varying effects and toxicity levels. Now, scientists say they've discovered that some bacteria found in the human gut have the ability to absorb the chemicals — and potentially protect from associated health impacts. 'We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells,' Dr. Kiran Patil, a member of the British University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit, explained in a statement. 'Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects.' Patil was the senior author of the research, which was published in the journal Nature Microbiology. To reach these conclusions, the researchers inserted several species of bacteria from the human gut into mice. The study found that nine species of the bacteria gathered the forever chemicals the rodents ate and then pooped out. When exposed to increasing levels of the chemicals, the bacteria worked even harder, consistently removing the same percentage of the toxic chemicals. Within just minutes of exposure, the bacterial species soaked up between a quarter and nearly two-thirds of the forever chemicals. The same effect has not yet been tested in humans, but the researchers said they plan to use their findings to create probiotic dietary supplements that boost the levels of these species in the gut to shield against any PFAS-related health harms. They are also looking at how they could turbo-charge the species' performance. 'The reality is that PFAS are already in the environment and in our bodies, and we need to try and mitigate their impact on our health now,' Dr. Indra Roux, a researcher at the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and a co-author of the study, said. Until then, the researchers say the best thing people can do to protect themselves is to avoid known risks for exposure. Although, even tap water has been contaminated: nearly half of all tap water in America. Under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency moved to weaken Biden-era standards limiting the pollution of potentially-toxic 'forever chemicals' in U.S. drinking water sources earlier this year. 'PFAS were once considered safe, but it's now clear that they're not,' added fellow researcher Dr. Anna Lindell. 'It's taken a long time for PFAS to become noticed because at low levels they're not acutely toxic. But they're like a slow poison.'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Poor sleep, menopause flare-ups: health in warmer world
Extreme heat is the world's biggest weather-related killer but it's also responsible for a host of other health and wellbeing niggles that are not as well understood. Bad sleep, worse productivity and exacerbated menopausal symptoms are among common complaints during heatwaves. University of Bristol climate change and health expert Eunice Lo has been looking beyond hospital and mortality data for deeper insights into the health and wellbeing implications of extremely hot, humid weather. Using the world-renowned Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children - a UK cohort who have been been filling out questionnaires since the 1990s - Dr Lo surveyed about 3400 participants about their experience during a seven-day heatwave in 2023. Presenting the findings at an Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society conference in Cairns this week, she said many respondents experienced slightly poorer or much worse sleep than normal. A clear drop-off in productivity was reported but mood was mixed, with some in higher spirits in the hot weather. Others felt anxious and worried about the future in a warming climate. Dr Lo was visiting Australia as parts of England faced fresh heat alerts and temperature forecasts above 30C, challenging conditions in a country with poorly ventilated buildings designed for cold weather. Women were more likely to report negative impacts than men, especially those who were pregnant or experiencing menopause. "It really highlights women-specific health issues or experiences that probably deserve a lot more research than what we currently do," Dr Lo told AAP. Mothers and babies have been studied in the context of climate change, with the World Health Organization linking high temperatures to preterm birth and stillbirth as well as hypertension and gestational diabetes. In 2024, climate change was responsible for adding about 10 extra days of heat extreme enough to be considered harmful for pregnant women in Australia, according to Climate Central. Research continues to reveal links to climate change and and a range of worse health outcomes, including mental health concerns and more common and severe sleep apnea. Climate change might also exacerbate eczema and lengthen pollen seasons in some Australian cities, in bad news for hay fever sufferers. Dr Lo said Australia faced a host of unique climate challenges for health, including exposure to bushfire smoke.
