Latest news with #toxicitems
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussie shoppers urged to boycott common $6 product amid toxicity concerns
Aussie shoppers are being urged to boycott a line of toxic items sold openly at retailers including Bunnings, Mitre 10, Coles and Woolworths for little more than $6 a packet. While many poison baits pose little harm to the environment, some products contain chemicals that are killing off the nation's beloved backyard species like tawny frogmouths and boobook owls. Even more worryingly, these second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are stocked beside less harmful alternatives on shelves, making it near impossible for consumers or even staff to know the difference. Other countries like the United Kingdom and Canada have restricted their use, and in Australia, 281 experts, including vets, doctors, farmers, scientists, and conservationists, have signed an open letter calling for it to be withdrawn from consumer sale and used only by experts. The government regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), has been reviewing their regulation here since 2021. A ruling on its future use was expected in mid-2024, and on Thursday, Yahoo News confirmed the decision had been delayed for a third time. Further to this, the APMVA is yet to advise when its review will be complete. 'This is requiring more time than was anticipated, however the APVMA is devoting extensive resources to ensure that an appropriate proposal is published as soon as possible,' an APVMA spokesperson said in an email. Consumers urged to do their research before buying baits Conservation non-profit group BirdLife Australia has campaigned against the consumer sale of SGARs since 2018, and has held multiple discussions with suppliers about their sale, pleading to no avail for them to be restricted. In June, Yahoo News asked Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Mitre 10 if they were willing to withdraw them from sale. All said they would comply with directives legislated by the APVMA. BirdLife Australia is prepared to keep waiting for an APVMA decision if it means the data is being reviewed in detail. But in the meantime, it wants consumers to do their research and boycott SGARs. Spokesperson Sean Dooley warns that shoppers will need to look closely at the packaging, because although major brands carry labels differentiating between first-generation baits and SGARS, this information can be hard to spot. 'It's so difficult to know which ones are the villains,' he said. 'There's no real help from the labelling or the way it's presented on shelves at any stores recently.' How do SGARs harm Australia's wildlife? Mounting evidence suggests the baits are killing and harming a growing number of animals, including eagles, frogs, reptiles, quolls and devils. Unlike first-generation alternatives, they remain in the environment, building up toxicity in the bodies of animals that eat poisoned mice and rats. Even if an owl or an eagle isn't directly killed, the chemicals can impair their judgment, likely hindering their ability to hunt and increasing the chance they'll be struck by a vehicle. Because SGARs are blood thinners, other victims simply bleed out from the inside and slowly die. Australia greenlights plan to build airport road through rare animal's grassland home Authorities caught unlawfully using 'cruel' devices to catch dingoes Alarm raised after strange backyard phenomenon worsens in Aussie region The APVMA said it is aware of "the high level of public interest" in the outcome of its review. But it is not convinced it needs to quickly rule on the matter. "If the APVMA becomes aware of data which indicates the use of a chemical in accordance with the label has the potential for imminent harm to people, animals, the environment or to trade, we have regulatory mechanisms through which we can take immediate and appropriate action. No data we have reviewed indicates the risk of imminent harm," it said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Harvard doctor reveals three toxic items in your bedroom: 'Throw them out, ASAP!'
A Harvard doctor has revealed three toxic items which might be lurking in your bedroom—and need to be disposed of as soon as possible. According to Dr Saurabh Sethi, 42, a California-based gastroenterologist, these are old pillows, synthetic air fresheners and, if it's old, your mattress. In a recent video posted on his Instagram page @ has been watched 2.1million views and has over 34,000 likes—he explained the dangers. Old pillows, he explained, can 'accumulate dust mites, sweat and allergens over time'. A study found the tiny mites often thrive in pillows, and even though the six-legged critters are no bigger than a grain of salt, they're a significant trigger for asthma. 'If your [pillow] is over one to two years old, it is probably time to replace it,' he said. Next, he explained why canisters of air fresheners shouldn't be used in sleeping areas, saying that they release phthalates and VOCs which are 'linked to respiratory issues and hormonal disruption'. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are tiny chemicals the canisters expel into the air, which can then seep into your lungs. In the short-term, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns they can travel to the brain causing dizziness, headaches, concentration lapses and visual disorders. Meanwhile long-term exposure has been linked to heart and lung problems, fertility issues, hormonal imbalances and even cancer. Dr Sethi also highlighted a study, where 86 per cent of air fresheners contained phthalates—which are chemicals linked to asthma and reproductive harm. So, instead he urged people to try a more natural option, such as essential oils that are extracted from plants. Finally, he urged people to throw out mattresses that are more than seven to 10 years old. This is because, he explained, they 'can lower sleep quality and cause chronic back pain.' In 2023, researchers found mattresses that are no longer firm, often due to years of use, is linked to lower back pain. So, he warned, if your mattress is older, you should throw it out 'as soon as possible'. After posting the video, he received lots of comments from shocked social media users who shared their bedroom pillows are much older. In one comment a user said: 'One or two years old? Mine are 10 yrs old pillows.' Another wrote: 'One to two years for pillows? Get out of here, Man you'd be shocked how old mine are.' Meanwhile a third commented: 'Old pillow = 2 years? If we threw those away and bought new ones that'd had a massive negative impact on the environment.' However, other social media users thanked him for warning them about the potential hidden dangers. One user commented: 'Thanks for sharing this important information.' Previously Martin Seely, CEO and sleep expert at Mattress Next Day told the Daily Mail, there is a simple test to know when you need to replace a pillow. He said: 'It's recommended that you change your pillows everyone to two years, but it really depends on a number of factors, such as the type of pillow and your sleeping position. 'There is, however, a test you can do to see if it needs [to be] replaced. Simply fold your pillow in half and squeeze out the air.' Then, he continued: 'Let the pillow go and if it unfolds back to its original shape, then it has enough filling to support your neck and head. 'If it doesn't spring back, then it's lost its support and needs to be replaced.' However, the sleep experts simple test is to check for neck support and not for bacteria or dust mites.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The three toxic items in EVERY home that this doctor warns should be removed ‘immediately'
A DOCTOR has revealed the three household items that should be thrown away "immediately" because of their toxic traits. Repeated use could lead to high blood pressure, cholesterol and reproductive issues, he warns. Gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi is known for sharing a wealth of health expertise on various social media platforms, including Instagram (@ He previously shared three foods he always avoids to protect his liver. Now, the 42-year-old has revealed three toxic items commonly found in people's homes, and advises people get rid of them immediately. In a clip, which has racked up 11.8m views and over 141,000 likes, Dr Sethi's first warning is over scented candles. 'These contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormone levels,' the doctor, from California, US, says. 'And cause respiratory issues." Phthalates are chemicals used in synthetic fragrances to help the scent bind to the wax and last longer. When candles containing phthalates burn, they release them into the air. Dr Sethi adds: 'Opt for unscented or natural candles made from soy or beeswax.' Phthalates have been linked to various health risks, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of certain cancers. How to prevent toxic plastics 'destroying' your brain - as doctor warns of 'damage and dementia risk' Studies have also shown connections between phthalate exposure and asthma, ADHD, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The second household item Dr Sethi lists as being a danger is plastic cutting boards. He says: 'These can degrade over time, releasing microplastics into your food, which can accumulate in the body." Studies have linked microplastics to a range of potential health issues, including reproductive problems, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological effects. They can also contribute to inflammation, cell damage, and disrupt the gut microbiome. Instead, Dr Sethi advises: "Switch to a wooden one to minimise risk.' 3 Last on Dr Sethi's list is scratched or chipped non-stick pans. Dr Sethi explains: 'These contain PFAS, which have been linked to high blood pressure, cholesterol and reproductive issues. 'Damaged pans can release these particles into your food." PFAS are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of health problems, including increased risk of certain cancers, altered immune function, liver damage, and reproductive and developmental issues. Some studies also suggest links between PFAS and thyroid disease, changes in cholesterol levels, and behavioural problems in children. Dr Sethi advises: "So make sure to either replace these pans as soon as they are scratched or chipped. 'Or replace those with safer alternatives, such as stainless steel or cast iron.' What are microplastics and why are they a worry? Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in diameter. They come from a variety of sources in our everyday life, from larger pieces of plastic debris, such as from the degradation of bottles, to the tiny beads in personal care products like toothpaste and exfoliants, and synthetic fibres from textiles like polyester and nylon. We can either ingest them, for example in food and water contaminated with them, or inhale them from the air. There is growing concern about the potential health impacts of microplastics on both the environment and human health. When ingested or inhaled, microplastics can cause physical and chemical damage to living organisms. Studies have shown that they may be involved in inflammation in the body by leading to the release of proteins called inflammatory cytokines. While these studies are typically small and in animals or cells, inflammation is linked to a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Cellular damage has been a key focus of studies on microplastics. The tiny pieces of plastic have been shown to cause cell death, cause damage via oxidative stress, and interfere with hormone function. There is also evidence to suggest that microplastics can cause genotoxic effects, meaning they can damage genetic material within cells - raising fears they can contribute to cancer. The evidence is still evolving for these tiny particles that are barely visible to the naked eye.
