Contamination News and Research

RSS

Chemicals lining food wrappers migrating to humans

University of Toronto scientists have found that chemicals used to line junk food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags are migrating into food and being ingested by people where they are contributing to chemical contamination observed in blood.

9 Nov 2010

Water purification woes

According to an expert desalination plants that are built close to sewage outflows risk contaminating drinking water. An Australian National University professor of infectious diseases and microbiology Peter Collignon said that membrane technology is not fool proof when it comes to screening bugs. This comes coincidentally just after a “reporting error” by Sydney Water that showed E.coli had been found in processed drinking water at its $1.9 billion Kurnell desalination plant in Sydney's south. The plant's intake, which collects water to supply 1.5 million Sydney homes, is about 2.5km north of the Cronulla near-shore sewage outflow.

8 Nov 2010

Researchers investigate Human-cl rhFVIII factor for severe hemophilia A treatment

Octapharma AG, one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world, and Octapharma USA today announced that patients diagnosed with severe hemophilia A have started treatment in a multi-center study that is researching the use of the first recombinant Factor VIII (rFVIII) derived from a human cell line (Human-cl rhFVIII).

2 Nov 2010

NOAA and FDA add second chemical test for detecting dispersants in Gulf seafood

Building upon the extensive testing and protocols already in use by federal, state and local officials for the fishing waters of the Gulf, NOAA and FDA have developed and are using a chemical test to detect dispersants used in the Deepwater Horizon-BP oil spill in fish, oysters, crab and shrimp. Trace amounts of the chemicals used in dispersants are common, and levels for safety have been previously set.

30 Oct 2010

Federal government takes second enforcement action against food distributor Lao Trading

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that Peng Bandith, owner of the Lao Trading Company of Nashville has signed a consent decree that permanently prohibits Lao Trading Co. from distributing food held under insanitary conditions in interstate commerce.

30 Oct 2010

New solvent system could provide ways of producing nanometer-scale cancer chemotherapy agents

Noble metals such as platinum and palladium are becoming increasingly important because of growth in environmentally friendly applications such as fuel cells and pollution control catalysts. But the world has limited quantities of these materials, meaning manufacturers will have to rely on efficient recycling processes to help meet the demand.

29 Oct 2010

Richmont establishes distribution of PURE's SDC-based IV-7 products in Middle East

PURE Bioscience, creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, today announced that its marketing partner, Richmont Sciences (Richmont), has established distribution of PURE's SDC-based IV-7™ products in the Middle East region. Under this arrangement, PURE sells IV-7 products to Richmont for resale into the Middle East, where the IV-7 water treatment and disinfection products have been registered by the United Arab Emirates-Dubai Municipality. Richmont is initially focusing on distribution of IV-7 Water Treatment™.

28 Oct 2010

Octapharma initiates Human-cl rhFVIII clinical study for severe hemophilia A

Octapharma, one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world, today announced that patients diagnosed with severe hemophilia A have started treatment with the first recombinant Factor VIII derived from a human cell line (Human-cl rhFVIII). Researchers are investigating pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of Human-cl rhFVIII for previously treated patients with severe hemophilia A.

28 Oct 2010

Disinfection cap dispensing 70% isopropyl alcohol effectively disinfects IV needleless connectors

A study and review performed by clinicians of PICC Excellence, Inc. found a disinfection cap that dispenses 70% isopropyl alcohol is effective in disinfecting IV needleless connectors after five minutes. The study shows that if a needleless connector is covered and bathed in alcohol by the disinfection cap, no drying time is required to kill nearly all pathogens on the connector.

28 Oct 2010

New tools could help detect wildlife disease outbreaks

Two new tools that enable the public to report sick or dead wild animals could also lead to the detection and containment of wildlife disease outbreaks that may pose a health risk to people.

26 Oct 2010

Researchers investigate impact of fungal toxin on birth defects

A Creighton University School of Medicine researcher has been awarded a $2.7 million grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate a possible link between the ingestion of tortillas and corn-based food products contaminated with a fungal toxin and increased risk for birth defects.

26 Oct 2010

New sensor uses frog peptides to detect contamination in drugs, medical devices

Princeton engineers have developed a sensor that may revolutionize how drugs and medical devices are tested for contamination, and in the process also help ensure the survival of two species of threatened animals.

20 Oct 2010

Egg allergy is no reason to avoid 2010-2011 flu vaccination

Having an egg allergy is not a reason to avoid getting the 2010-2011 flu vaccination.

19 Oct 2010

Novel approach to automated detection of bacterial pathogens in food

Researchers from the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the Bindley Bioscience Center at Purdue University have developed a novel approach to automated detection and classification of harmful bacteria in food. The investigators have designed and implemented a sophisticated statistical approach that allows computers to improve their ability to detect the presence of bacterial contamination in tested samples.

15 Oct 2010

WHO Western Pacific meeting addresses immunization, TB control, women's health

The WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific meeting continued with leaders discussing regional immunization goals, public health emergencies, TB control, and the health effects of urbanization, multiple news outlets report.

15 Oct 2010

Academy calls for research plan to minimize environmental impact of Marcellus Shale gas drilling

The Academy of Natural Sciences is calling for a comprehensive research plan that would result in guidelines and an assessment tool for regulators and managers in order to minimize the environmental impact of Marcellus Shale gas drilling.

13 Oct 2010

Scientists proves Yersinia pestis as causative agent for Black Death epidemics in European continent

The latest tests conducted by anthropologists at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have proven that the bacteria Yersinia pestis was indeed the causative agent behind the "Black Death" that raged across Europe in the Middle Ages. The cause of the epidemic has always remained highly controversial and other pathogens were often named as possible causes, in particular for the northern European regions.

11 Oct 2010

Non-GMO Day to raise awareness on genetically modified organisms in food supply

On Sunday, Oct. 10, Whole Foods Market and retailers across the country will celebrate Non-GMO Day to raise consumer awareness about the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food supply. Driven by the nonprofit Non-GMO Project, this Sunday's events are designed to send a wakeup call to consumers across the country.

8 Oct 2010

Royal Philips Electronics introduces IntelliVue MX800 patient monitoring system

Royal Philips Electronics today introduced the IntelliVue MX800 patient monitoring system, a new dimension in patient care that provides immediate access to comprehensive patient information directly at the monitor. In addition to displaying and recording traditional data such as patient vital signs, the IntelliVue MX800 offers direct access to patient information from almost any system on a hospital's IT infrastructure.

From Philips Healthcare 8 Oct 2010

FDA files complaint for permanent injunction against Brooklyn Juice Company

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Justice today filed a complaint for permanent injunction against a Brooklyn juice company to prevent it from processing and distributing juice products.

8 Oct 2010