Latest news with #healththreat
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers issue urgent warning over 'invisible' health threat lurking all around us: 'Biggest drivers of death'
Researchers issue urgent warning over 'invisible' health threat lurking all around us: 'Biggest drivers of death' A meta-analysis of "countless" peer-reviewed studies and interviews with dozens of subject matter experts identified a threat that researchers say is as grave as planetary warming is flying frighteningly under our radar, the Guardian reported. What's happening? "Novel entities" at first may conjure up images of newly established businesses or ghosts, but the concept is more unsettling than an encounter with the latter. The Guardian indicated that an insidious form of chemical pollution poses a threat "of a similar order as climate change," citing a report from Deep Science Ventures, a company focused on research and enterprise. DSV started with a question: "What if one of the biggest threats to our health and planet is invisible, yet found in our air, food, and water?" Enter novel entities, "chemicals not found in nature," 100 million of which, DSV estimates, have been introduced by the industrial economy. In its report, DSV established that these substances have much "potential for unwanted geophysical and/or biological effects." Harry Macpherson, senior climate associate at DSV, noted that people are often shocked by how unmonitored the issue truly is, and went on to provide an alarmingly relatable example. "Maybe people think that when you walk down the street breathing the air; you drink your water, you eat your food; you use your personal care products, your shampoo, cleaning products for your house, the furniture in your house; a lot of people assume that there's really great knowledge and huge due diligence on the chemical safety of these things. But it really isn't the case," Macpherson said, per the Guardian. Why is DSV's report so concerning? Macpherson wasn't wrong — even diligent consumers who take steps to avoid plastic or other potential contaminants often can't rely on manufacturers' disclosures for everything from what's in our kitchens to how objects might adversely impact household health and the planet. DSV's review noted that novel entities evade detection, emphasizing "critical shortcomings in current toxicity assessment, research, and testing methods" to quantify the vast array of adverse impacts on humans — with particularly pronounced effects on reproductive health. "The way that we've generally done the testing has meant that we've missed a lot of effects," Macpherson observed, and DSV's "Novel Entities: A Ticking Time Bomb" report bore that out. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Two million lives and 53 million disability-adjusted life-years … were lost in 2019 due to exposure to selected chemicals," it read, highlighting exposure to lead and occupational contamination as the "biggest drivers of death." What's being done about it? Given the framing of the report, "nothing" appeared to be an unsettling answer to that conclusion, but Macpherson advocated for serious research and funding and a shockingly simple partial solution. Researchers "obviously don't want less funding" for climate research. "But this we think — really, proportionally — needs more attention," he added, before expressing some optimism about the potential for a straightforward, consumer-driven fix. "There isn't necessarily the need for a massive collective action; it can just be demand for safer products, because people want safer products," Macpherson said. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fresh warning over killer fungal infection dubbed 'threat to humanity' - medics desperately hunt for a cure
Doctors have issued a fresh alert over a killer drug-resistant fungus dubbed a 'threat to humanity' after it struck a man's brain in the UAE. Candida auris (C. auris)—described by the World Health Organisation as one of 19 lethal fungi posing a 'serious threat to humanity'—is spreading in hospitals worldwide and becoming increasingly resistant to the handful of medicines that work against it. Since its discovery, the fungus has been linked to deaths around the world, with fatality rates estimated at roughly one in three cases. In the newly reported case, a 34-year-old man developed the infection nearly three months after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a car crash. Medics at Saqr Hospital in Ras Al-Khaimah said he was admitted to intensive care bleeding from his mouth, with several cuts and a severe scalp laceration. Scans revealed multiple brain bleeds and he underwent an emergency procedure where part of the skull is removed to relieve pressure. He spent three weeks in intensive care before being moved to a ward, undergoing further surgeries and antibiotic treatment over the next two months. Tests carried out after surgery to remove excess fluid from the brain on his 99th day in hospital showed he had a C. auris infection. The fungus, first identified in 2009, can survive on hospital surfaces and the skin for long periods, is often resistant to disinfectants and medication, and can spread to the blood, brain, spinal cord, bones, abdomen, ears, lungs and urinary system. Doctors prescribed the patient three weeks of antifungal injections, followed by two drugs via an IV drip for 15 days and then an 11-day course of antifungal tablets, stopping only when blood tests came back clear. Repeat tests showed the infection had been eliminated, and he was discharged after seven months in hospital. Writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, his doctors said: 'The excessive use of antifungal agents in agriculture and healthcare has contributed to the development of antifungal resistance in C. auris. 'To our knowledge, this is the first case report documenting successful management of a C. auris external ventricular shunt infection without the use of intrathecal antifungal administration.' For years, fungal infections have been treated with a small number of drugs, but research shows most are becoming increasingly resistant—a trend driven by overuse, particularly in countries where antifungals can be bought over the counter. People with weakened immune systems, those who have recently received healthcare abroad, spent long periods in hospital or intensive care, or been treated with certain antibiotics, are at higher risk. In the UK, C. auris is now a notifiable infection, meaning all cases must be reported to help control outbreaks. C. auris was first discovered in 2009 in the ear of a Japanese patient and has since been detected in more than 40 countries across six continents. It thrives in hospitals, where it can cling to surfaces and equipment for weeks, and is able to survive on human skin without causing symptoms—making it easy to spread between patients. Once inside the body, often through wounds or contaminated medical equipment, it can cause devastating infections that spread to vital organs. The World Health Organisation has included it in its list of priority fungal pathogens, warning it poses a 'serious threat to humanity' alongside three other dangerous species—Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Experts say the overuse of antifungal medicines in healthcare and even in agriculture has helped the fungus build up resistance, leaving doctors with fewer options to treat it. In many developing countries, such medicines are available over the counter without prescription, fuelling misuse and making it easier for resistant strains to emerge. Patients most at risk are those with weakened immune systems, people who have recently been in intensive care, and those who have been treated with certain antibiotics. In the UK, all cases must now be reported to health authorities in a bid to stop outbreaks before they take hold.
Sustainability Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'I'm Breathing 71,000 Toxic Hits At Home': Scientists Warn Of Terrifying Invisible Pollutants Lurking In Ordinary Living Rooms
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Recent research reveals that the air in our homes contains up to 100 times more microplastic particles than previously estimated. than previously estimated. 💡 Innovative laser technology now allows the detection of particles as small as one micrometer, unveiling a hidden health threat. now allows the detection of particles as small as one micrometer, unveiling a hidden health threat. 🏠 Everyday objects like carpets and upholstery contribute to this indoor pollution through silent degradation and shedding. through silent degradation and shedding. ⚠️ These particles carry toxic chemicals that may lead to numerous health issues, including respiratory and hormonal disorders. Recent research has revealed a startling truth about the air quality within our homes. A groundbreaking study by French scientists has discovered that indoor air pollution levels are significantly higher than previously thought, with homes containing up to 100 times more pollution than earlier estimates. This revelation comes as a result of new techniques developed to detect microscopic particles that have evaded measurement until now. The findings challenge our understanding of plastic contamination and highlight the previously unrecognized daily assault on our respiratory systems. The Unseen Armada Invading Our Lungs Each breath you take carries thousands of microscopic plastic fragments into your respiratory system. These silent invaders, up to seven times thinner than a human hair, penetrate deeply without any noticeable sensation. Researcher Nadiia Yakovenko from the University of Toulouse has quantified this invasion with unprecedented accuracy. Her data indicates that we inhale approximately 71,200 microplastic particles daily, including 3,200 larger fragments and 68,000 ultrafine particles. This discovery marks a scientific earthquake. Previous estimates severely underestimated contamination levels by a factor of 100 due to inadequate technologies incapable of detecting the smallest, most hazardous particles. These tiny particles can penetrate biological barriers with ease, posing significant health risks that were previously unaccounted for. Laser Technology Unveils the Disaster's Magnitude The team from Toulouse has revolutionized microplastic pollution analysis by combining Raman spectroscopy, advanced microscopy, and automated counting software. This innovative approach allows the detection and quantification of particles as small as one micrometer, whereas prior studies could not detect particles smaller than 20 micrometers. While this technical difference may seem minor, it is transformative. Particles smaller than 10 micrometers have a much greater ability to penetrate the lungs, reaching the deepest alveoli and potentially crossing into the bloodstream. Yakovenko's methodological innovation has thus uncovered a hidden aspect of plastic pollution—the nanoparticulate threat that eluded detection but poses a serious health risk. The Unexpected Culprits in Our Daily Lives Contrary to popular belief, this massive contamination doesn't originate from industrial zones or polluted oceans. It is generated within our living spaces, arising from the silent degradation of everyday objects. Your carpet continuously releases microscopic synthetic fibers. Upholstery fabrics, partly made of plastics, shed due to daily friction. In your car, the dashboard, seats, and interior fittings slowly disintegrate under the combined effects of heat, ultraviolet light, and vibrations. This constant domestic erosion transforms our homes into microplastic factories. Every routine action—sitting on a couch, walking on a carpet, driving on a sunny day—creates an invisible plume of particles that we immediately inhale. This revelation forces us to reconsider the safety of our indoor environments. A Health Time Bomb These microscopic fragments are not inert foreign bodies. They carry a cocktail of toxic chemical additives: BPA, phthalates, stabilizers, and industrial dyes. Once in the bloodstream, these substances can trigger inflammatory cascades and disrupt hormonal balance. The potential health implications are staggering: chronic respiratory issues, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular problems, infertility, congenital malformations, and increased cancer risks. Although long-term effects are still under investigation, the accumulation of these contaminants in our tissues raises urgent questions. The situation is even more concerning given that this indoor pollution adds to the contamination already present in our food and drinking water. Rethinking Our Domestic Environment This discovery demands a complete reassessment of our approach to indoor safety. Current air quality standards, based on incomplete measurements, require urgent updates to address this invisible pollution. Yakovenko's team plans to extend their analyses to various indoor environments to precisely map this contamination. These findings will guide future recommendations for domestic material choices and air filtration systems. Meanwhile, this research reminds us of a disconcerting truth: we have created a world where simply breathing at home exposes us to pollution we're just beginning to understand. The question is no longer whether we inhale microplastics, but how to minimize this inevitable exposure in our plastic-dependent society. The implications of these findings extend far beyond our homes, urging us to rethink how we live and interact with our environment. How can we adapt our lifestyles to reduce exposure to microplastics and protect our health in the long term? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (20)
CTV News
28-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Sounding the Alarm on Superbugs
Vancouver Watch CTV Morning Live learns more about the threat of superbugs with Dr. Brian Conway of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists track 25 years of submicron air pollution particles across US skies
Air pollution is a serious and often underestimated health threat in the U.S. It is linked to over 50,000 premature deaths each year. Tiny particles in the air, like PM2.5, can get embedded into a person's lungs and bloodstream, leading to chronic heart and lung problems. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 micron. While scientists have studied these particles for decades, far less is known about PM1— even smaller at under 1 micron—whose effect on human health could be equally lethal, if not more. A new study from Washington University in St. Louis, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, has mapped 25 years of PM1 air pollution across the United States. The findings offer a starting point for identifying which pollutants regulators should target to improve public health. The research also builds on the university's expertise in satellite sensing and atmospheric modeling. According to Chi Li, research assistant professor at the university's Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group and lead author of the study, the new estimates will help researchers better understand the impact of submicron particles. These tiny particles often come from direct emissions, like black carbon from diesel engines or smoke from wildfires. They can also form indirectly when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are released from fuel combustion and coal burning. Rather than being made of a single substance, air particles are usually mixtures of various materials layered together. Li noted that larger particles are often dominated by components like mineral dust, which are more difficult to regulate or reduce. The researchers estimated PM1 levels by analyzing the known composition of PM2.5 particles, which include seven main components such as sulfate, nitrate, and mineral dust. By combining these elements, the team was able to calculate PM1 concentrations across the US. The study lays the groundwork for deeper analysis of where these tiny particles tend to concentrate, how they form, and what impacts they have on both human health and the environment. PM1 pollution particles may be more harmful because they can penetrate deeper into the body, slipping past natural defenses. These submicron particles are at least six times smaller than a blood cell. According to Jay Turner, the James McKelvey Professor of Engineering Education and co-author of the study, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first set air quality standards for fine particulate matter in 1997, there was significant debate over whether to regulate PM1 or PM2.5. Due to limited health impact research on PM1 compared to PM2.5, the EPA chose to focus on PM2.5. However, the new dataset revealed encouraging insights: pollution regulation has significantly reduced PM1 levels across the contiguous U.S. from 1998 to 2022, largely due to environmental policies like the Clean Air Act. But this progress has slowed since 2010, mainly because of increasing wildfire activity. Although countries like China have gotten a head start in tracking PM1, U.S. can catch up with the help of this comprehensive nationwide dataset. The next step will entail collaboration with epidemiologists to assess how exposure to these tiny particles relates to various health outcomes.
