Lack of statewide smoking ban represents one part of Kentucky's struggle to deal with tobacco use and the health issues it creates

By Molly Burchett

Kentucky Health News

As the bill for a statewide smoking ban lies on its deathbed in the General Assembly, new federal data show Kentucky still has the highest percentage of smokers (29 percent) of any state, leads the nation in the share of smoking high school students (24 percent) and spends only a minuscule portion of their tobacco revenues to fight tobacco use. Those figures come from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Tobacco Control State Highlights 2012 report. (For county-by-county figures, click here.)

The lack of a statewide smoking ban, which nevertheless has become popular among Kentuckians, represents only a small part of the struggle to address Kentuckians' tobacco use and resulting health problems. Kentucky's program to discourage tobacco use has been severely underfunded for years, contributing to the state's lack of or slow progress in reducing its smoking and tobacco use rates and subsequent health problems, said Dr. Ellen Hahn, director of the Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy at the University of Kentucky.

State tobacco revenue (left bar) and spending (right bar)

The CDC says Kentucky should spend $57.2 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco-prevention program, but the state allocates only $2.1 million a year to such programs -- 3.7 percent of the recommended amount.

By another measure, the amount is only 0.6 percent of the estimated $381 million the state gets from tobacco taxes and the 1998 national settlement with cigarette manufacturers, according to a tobacco settlement report.



Meanwhile, Kentucky's health-care costs attributable to smoking add up to about $1.5 billion a year, and smoking-caused productivity losses total $2.3 billion a year. These amounts do not include health costs caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking-caused fires, smokeless tobacco use or cigar and pipe smoking.

Despite the known health risks that tobacco use poses, smoking in Kentucky remains a part of everyday life in most places. But that is increasingly less so around the country, so there is an increasing gap between heavy-smoking and low-smoking states; smoking in Kentucky is about twice as prevalent as in Utah and California, reports Steven Reinberg of HealthDay. Click here for an interactive map of states' tobacco prevention efforts.

There are proven, multi-pronged strategies to curb smoking. They include combinations of higher tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws, media campaigns, and restricted access to tobacco products. However, Kentucky continues to lag behind other states due to "stagnant policies" and a lack of funding, said Hahn.

Many other factors contribute to Kentucky's lack of tobacco-prevention progress. By failing to substantially reduce adult smoking, the state misses opportunities to encourage younger adults and children not to smoke, Hahn said. Kentucky needs to employ strategies that communicate the success and affordability of tobacco cessation programs, she said; people often lack the encouragement to quit smoking because they don't know how or they don't believe it is possible.

The latest tobacco report is a timely reminder that tobacco use remains a huge public health problem for Kentucky and there are proven strategies that, if implemented, could help Kentuckians live a healthier, tobacco-free life.

Kentucky Health News is an independent news service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

By Molly Burchett

Kentucky Health News

As the bill for a statewide smoking ban lies on its deathbed in the General Assembly, new federal data show Kentucky still has the highest percentage of smokers (29 percent) of any state, leads the nation in the share of smoking high school students (24 percent) and spends only a minuscule portion of their tobacco revenues to fight tobacco use. Those figures come from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Tobacco Control State Highlights 2012 report. (For county-by-county figures, click here.)

The lack of a statewide smoking ban, which nevertheless has become popular among Kentuckians, represents only a small part of the struggle to address Kentuckians' tobacco use and resulting health problems. Kentucky's program to discourage tobacco use has been severely underfunded for years, contributing to the state's lack of or slow progress in reducing its smoking and tobacco use rates and subsequent health problems, said Dr. Ellen Hahn, director of the Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy at the University of Kentucky.

State tobacco revenue (left bar) and spending (right bar)

The CDC says Kentucky should spend $57.2 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco-prevention program, but the state allocates only $2.1 million a year to such programs -- 3.7 percent of the recommended amount.

By another measure, the amount is only 0.6 percent of the estimated $381 million the state gets from tobacco taxes and the 1998 national settlement with cigarette manufacturers, according to a tobacco settlement report.



Meanwhile, Kentucky's health-care costs attributable to smoking add up to about $1.5 billion a year, and smoking-caused productivity losses total $2.3 billion a year. These amounts do not include health costs caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking-caused fires, smokeless tobacco use or cigar and pipe smoking.

Despite the known health risks that tobacco use poses, smoking in Kentucky remains a part of everyday life in most places. But that is increasingly less so around the country, so there is an increasing gap between heavy-smoking and low-smoking states; smoking in Kentucky is about twice as prevalent as in Utah and California, reports Steven Reinberg of HealthDay. Click here for an interactive map of states' tobacco prevention efforts.

There are proven, multi-pronged strategies to curb smoking. They include combinations of higher tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws, media campaigns, and restricted access to tobacco products. However, Kentucky continues to lag behind other states due to "stagnant policies" and a lack of funding, said Hahn.

Many other factors contribute to Kentucky's lack of tobacco-prevention progress. By failing to substantially reduce adult smoking, the state misses opportunities to encourage younger adults and children not to smoke, Hahn said. Kentucky needs to employ strategies that communicate the success and affordability of tobacco cessation programs, she said; people often lack the encouragement to quit smoking because they don't know how or they don't believe it is possible.

The latest tobacco report is a timely reminder that tobacco use remains a huge public health problem for Kentucky and there are proven strategies that, if implemented, could help Kentuckians live a healthier, tobacco-free life.

Kentucky Health News is an independent news service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

Read More

'Incredible Colon' to march across the state in Colon Cancer Awareness Month; more than a dozen stops scheduled

A special tour throughout the state of the Incredible Colon — an inflatable model of a human colon, large enough for visitors to walk through it — will promote education about risks and preventive measures of colon cancer during March, National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Kentucky and nationwide, and it affects men and women of all ethnicities. Kentuckians have a higher than average risk of colon cancer due to higher rates of obesity, diets high in fat, and lack of regular exercise.

As many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented if everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screenings detect any abnormalities or early signs of cancer, like polyps in the colon, and when detected early, polyps can be easily removed during a colonoscopy before they develop into cancer. When colon cancer is found early and treated, the five-year relative survival rate is 90 percent, underscoring the need for preventive health exams.

However, only 63 percent of Kentuckians who should have screening tests have had them, according to Kentucky data from the federal Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing national survey.

The colon tour is a coordinated promotion by the Kentucky Cancer Program, local cancer councils and the Kentucky Colon Cancer Prevention Project. It is free and open to the public and will take place in 13 Kentucky communities March 4-28:

• March 4: Fleming County Hospital, Flemingsburg (10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
• March 5: Walmart, Manchester (Noon - 4 p.m.)
• March 6: Hazard ARH Medical Mall, Hazard (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 7: Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Morehead (members
  only, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 8: Frankfort Regional Hospital, Frankfort (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• March 19: Lexmark, Lexington, (Employees only, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• March 20: Lawrence County High School, Louisa (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• March 21: Lady of Bellefonte Health Center, Grayson (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• March 23: Phillip Sharp Middle School, Butler (8-11 a.m. )
• March 25: Town Center Mall, Ashland (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 26: Walmart, Georgetown (3-6 p.m.)
• March 27: Adron Doran University Center, Morehead (9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 28: Walmart, Somerset (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Attendees are invited to dress in blue, the color of colon cancer awareness, and there will be door prizes, giveaways (while supplies last), refreshments and educational information about colon cancer screening, prevention and early detection. (Read more)

A special tour throughout the state of the Incredible Colon — an inflatable model of a human colon, large enough for visitors to walk through it — will promote education about risks and preventive measures of colon cancer during March, National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Kentucky and nationwide, and it affects men and women of all ethnicities. Kentuckians have a higher than average risk of colon cancer due to higher rates of obesity, diets high in fat, and lack of regular exercise.

As many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented if everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screenings detect any abnormalities or early signs of cancer, like polyps in the colon, and when detected early, polyps can be easily removed during a colonoscopy before they develop into cancer. When colon cancer is found early and treated, the five-year relative survival rate is 90 percent, underscoring the need for preventive health exams.

However, only 63 percent of Kentuckians who should have screening tests have had them, according to Kentucky data from the federal Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing national survey.

The colon tour is a coordinated promotion by the Kentucky Cancer Program, local cancer councils and the Kentucky Colon Cancer Prevention Project. It is free and open to the public and will take place in 13 Kentucky communities March 4-28:

• March 4: Fleming County Hospital, Flemingsburg (10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
• March 5: Walmart, Manchester (Noon - 4 p.m.)
• March 6: Hazard ARH Medical Mall, Hazard (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 7: Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Morehead (members
  only, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 8: Frankfort Regional Hospital, Frankfort (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
• March 19: Lexmark, Lexington, (Employees only, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• March 20: Lawrence County High School, Louisa (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• March 21: Lady of Bellefonte Health Center, Grayson (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• March 23: Phillip Sharp Middle School, Butler (8-11 a.m. )
• March 25: Town Center Mall, Ashland (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 26: Walmart, Georgetown (3-6 p.m.)
• March 27: Adron Doran University Center, Morehead (9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• March 28: Walmart, Somerset (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Attendees are invited to dress in blue, the color of colon cancer awareness, and there will be door prizes, giveaways (while supplies last), refreshments and educational information about colon cancer screening, prevention and early detection. (Read more)

Read More

How the leopard hides its spots

Schneider A, David VA, Johnson WE, et al. How the leopard hides its spots: ASIP mutations and melanism in wild cats. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7: e50386. (free, full text article) 

Melanism (dark-colored pigmentation in the skin or pelage) is common in the cat family (Felidae), being reported in 13 of 37 extant felid species. Melanism can reach high frequencies in some cat species, e.g., Panthera pardus a.k.a. black leopard and Pardofelis temminckii a.k.a. Asian golden cat, suggesting this phenotype may be adaptive. However, little is known about the evolutionary history and ecological/behavioral significance of melanism in any felid. Two different genes whose products interact in the regulation of melanin production influence felid melanism. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) activation by binding alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone leads to eumelanin (dark pigment) synthesis. In contrast, binding the agouti signalling protein (ASIP) can inhibit MC1R activation, which causes a switch to pheomelanin (light pigment) synthesis.

In this study, DNA analysis of blood or skin samples from P. pardus and P. temminckii collected from captive animals of Asian origin identified two different variants of the ASIP gene implicated in melanistic phenotype. Experiments revealed that non-synonymous mutations involving any of 10 cysteine residues of the C-terminal Cys-rich domain adversely affected ASIP activity, suggesting these residues are critical for protein activity and receptor binding to MC1R. In P. temminckii, a change in the 9^th normally conserved cysteine residue to tryptophan led to melanism. In P. pardus, a mutation was identified that led to the elimination of most of the C-terminal domain from the 4^th normally conserved cysteine onward. Identification of these two novel mutations associated with melanism in wild felids, taken together with three previously reported mutations in either MC1R or ASIP, leads to the conclusion that this mutant phenotype arose at least five times independently in the cat family. Interestingly, three of these mutations are located in ASIP, suggesting that this gene is equally or more often involved in felid melanism than MC1R. [GO]

See also: Eizirik E, Yuhki N, Johnson WE, Menotti-Raymond M, Hannah SS and O'Brien SJ. Molecular genetics and evolution of melanism in the cat family. Curr Biol. 2003; 13: 448-53. 

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Google+

Schneider A, David VA, Johnson WE, et al. How the leopard hides its spots: ASIP mutations and melanism in wild cats. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7: e50386. (free, full text article) 

Melanism (dark-colored pigmentation in the skin or pelage) is common in the cat family (Felidae), being reported in 13 of 37 extant felid species. Melanism can reach high frequencies in some cat species, e.g., Panthera pardus a.k.a. black leopard and Pardofelis temminckii a.k.a. Asian golden cat, suggesting this phenotype may be adaptive. However, little is known about the evolutionary history and ecological/behavioral significance of melanism in any felid. Two different genes whose products interact in the regulation of melanin production influence felid melanism. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) activation by binding alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone leads to eumelanin (dark pigment) synthesis. In contrast, binding the agouti signalling protein (ASIP) can inhibit MC1R activation, which causes a switch to pheomelanin (light pigment) synthesis.

In this study, DNA analysis of blood or skin samples from P. pardus and P. temminckii collected from captive animals of Asian origin identified two different variants of the ASIP gene implicated in melanistic phenotype. Experiments revealed that non-synonymous mutations involving any of 10 cysteine residues of the C-terminal Cys-rich domain adversely affected ASIP activity, suggesting these residues are critical for protein activity and receptor binding to MC1R. In P. temminckii, a change in the 9^th normally conserved cysteine residue to tryptophan led to melanism. In P. pardus, a mutation was identified that led to the elimination of most of the C-terminal domain from the 4^th normally conserved cysteine onward. Identification of these two novel mutations associated with melanism in wild felids, taken together with three previously reported mutations in either MC1R or ASIP, leads to the conclusion that this mutant phenotype arose at least five times independently in the cat family. Interestingly, three of these mutations are located in ASIP, suggesting that this gene is equally or more often involved in felid melanism than MC1R. [GO]

See also: Eizirik E, Yuhki N, Johnson WE, Menotti-Raymond M, Hannah SS and O'Brien SJ. Molecular genetics and evolution of melanism in the cat family. Curr Biol. 2003; 13: 448-53. 

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Google+

Read More

Most People Can Skip Calcium Supplements, Prevention Panel Says

Women have been told for years that if they don't take calcium supplements religiously, they're putting themselves at risk of crippling hip fractures in old age. Now the word from a major government panel: Why bother? There's no evidence that taking calcium supplements reduces the risk of fractures for most people, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said. The recommendations were published online Monday by the Annals of Internal Medicine. That applies to postmenopausal women, the target audience for calcium supplements. "We're not saying don't use it," says Linda Baumann, a member of the task force and a professor emerita of nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "But think about it, because we're not sure it has the benefit you think it has." The task force said that taking up to 1,000 milligrams a day of calcium supplements and up to 400 international units of vitamin D daily did nothing to prevent fractures in healthy people, while slightly increasing the risk of kidney stones.

That's just a bit less than the 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day recommended for postmenopausal women by a 2011 Institute of Medicine report. More might be better, the USPSTF panel concluded, but there's no evidence that's true. The panel gives independent recommendations to the federal government on the risks and benefits of treatments. Reports like this always come with caveats, so here goes: The recommendations don't apply to people who already have osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency. And the advice doesn't apply to people over 65 who are at risk of falls. The task force members would have loved to review data on whether taking calcium and vitamin D supplements earlier in life would be useful, Baumann tells Shots. Teenagers' calcium intake is pathetically low, even though they're still growing. "The other thing that's really unclear is the appropriate dose and dosing regimen," Baumann says. The studies the panel relied on were all over the map on how much people took — and when. And because most studies have looked at calcium and bone health in white women, there's no good data on men or minority groups. Vitamin D supplements have become trendy of late, promoted as preventing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Some doctors recommending up to 50,000 IU in a week.The USPSTF is looking at whether D influences cancer, so stay tuned for that. An accompanying editorial concludes, "While we wait for the results of further research, the USPSTF's cautious, evidence-based advice should encourage clinicians to think carefully before advising calcium and vitamin D supplementation for healthy individuals." Calcium supplements aren't as trendy, but some women are "taking three, four, five calcium pills a day," says Cliff Rosen, an author of the 2011 IOM report, and an osteoporosis researcher at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. Taking that much can up the risk of kidney stones by 17 percent, he says. And there's also evidence that calcium supplements may contribute to heart disease. The calcium in food doesn't seem to cause those problems, Rosen says. So the best advice for everyone, from teens to their grandmas, is get calcium from food. "A glass of milk is 300 milligrams. Three glasses of milk a day, and you get there without a problem."

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is a Singapore chiropractor and the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to:

Website - http://www.hiyh.info.
ScolioTrack Website - http://www.ScolioTrack.com.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealthInYourHands.
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/DrKevinLau.
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/DrKevinLau.

Women have been told for years that if they don't take calcium supplements religiously, they're putting themselves at risk of crippling hip fractures in old age. Now the word from a major government panel: Why bother? There's no evidence that taking calcium supplements reduces the risk of fractures for most people, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said. The recommendations were published online Monday by the Annals of Internal Medicine. That applies to postmenopausal women, the target audience for calcium supplements. "We're not saying don't use it," says Linda Baumann, a member of the task force and a professor emerita of nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "But think about it, because we're not sure it has the benefit you think it has." The task force said that taking up to 1,000 milligrams a day of calcium supplements and up to 400 international units of vitamin D daily did nothing to prevent fractures in healthy people, while slightly increasing the risk of kidney stones.

That's just a bit less than the 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day recommended for postmenopausal women by a 2011 Institute of Medicine report. More might be better, the USPSTF panel concluded, but there's no evidence that's true. The panel gives independent recommendations to the federal government on the risks and benefits of treatments. Reports like this always come with caveats, so here goes: The recommendations don't apply to people who already have osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency. And the advice doesn't apply to people over 65 who are at risk of falls. The task force members would have loved to review data on whether taking calcium and vitamin D supplements earlier in life would be useful, Baumann tells Shots. Teenagers' calcium intake is pathetically low, even though they're still growing. "The other thing that's really unclear is the appropriate dose and dosing regimen," Baumann says. The studies the panel relied on were all over the map on how much people took — and when. And because most studies have looked at calcium and bone health in white women, there's no good data on men or minority groups. Vitamin D supplements have become trendy of late, promoted as preventing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Some doctors recommending up to 50,000 IU in a week.The USPSTF is looking at whether D influences cancer, so stay tuned for that. An accompanying editorial concludes, "While we wait for the results of further research, the USPSTF's cautious, evidence-based advice should encourage clinicians to think carefully before advising calcium and vitamin D supplementation for healthy individuals." Calcium supplements aren't as trendy, but some women are "taking three, four, five calcium pills a day," says Cliff Rosen, an author of the 2011 IOM report, and an osteoporosis researcher at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute. Taking that much can up the risk of kidney stones by 17 percent, he says. And there's also evidence that calcium supplements may contribute to heart disease. The calcium in food doesn't seem to cause those problems, Rosen says. So the best advice for everyone, from teens to their grandmas, is get calcium from food. "A glass of milk is 300 milligrams. Three glasses of milk a day, and you get there without a problem."

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is a Singapore chiropractor and the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to:

Website - http://www.hiyh.info.
ScolioTrack Website - http://www.ScolioTrack.com.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealthInYourHands.
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/DrKevinLau.
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/DrKevinLau.

Read More

Take care with a big cold-weather killer, the space heater

Warm weather isn't far away, but winter remains, and precautions should be taken to steer clear of a big cold-weather killer -- the space heater -- for the season's remaining cold days.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that each year, space heaters cause more than 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths, and more than 6,000 Americans get emergency-room care for burn injuries associated with room heaters.

An Eastern Kentucky fire started by a space heater claimed the lives of one adult and four children last month. This blaze destroyed a rural house and family and was considered by authorites to be the worst the region has seen in a long time.

Using a space heater makes sense, and many people, particularly those in rural areas, use them to stay warm; but they must be used with caution. The Burn Center at Loyola University Medical Center is warning the public about the dangers of space heaters because many of the injuries they cause are preventable if the appropriate measures are taken. Here are some general safety tips from Loyola:

• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture or other combustible material
• Don't place heaters on carpets or rugs.
• Locate heaters on a hard, level surface where a child or family pet can't brush against them.
• Never leave a heater on when an adult is not present in the room.
• Never keep flammable liquids near a heater.
• Mobile homes should use only electric heaters or vented, fuel-fired heaters.

Loyola also advises to use combustion space heaters only outside your home because they release carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. If the heater is not properly vented, high levels of these gases are deadly. Also, when using electric space heaters, be sure to plug the heater directly into a wall outlet and use a heavy duty cord. Click here for more tips.

Warm weather isn't far away, but winter remains, and precautions should be taken to steer clear of a big cold-weather killer -- the space heater -- for the season's remaining cold days.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that each year, space heaters cause more than 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths, and more than 6,000 Americans get emergency-room care for burn injuries associated with room heaters.

An Eastern Kentucky fire started by a space heater claimed the lives of one adult and four children last month. This blaze destroyed a rural house and family and was considered by authorites to be the worst the region has seen in a long time.

Using a space heater makes sense, and many people, particularly those in rural areas, use them to stay warm; but they must be used with caution. The Burn Center at Loyola University Medical Center is warning the public about the dangers of space heaters because many of the injuries they cause are preventable if the appropriate measures are taken. Here are some general safety tips from Loyola:

• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture or other combustible material
• Don't place heaters on carpets or rugs.
• Locate heaters on a hard, level surface where a child or family pet can't brush against them.
• Never leave a heater on when an adult is not present in the room.
• Never keep flammable liquids near a heater.
• Mobile homes should use only electric heaters or vented, fuel-fired heaters.

Loyola also advises to use combustion space heaters only outside your home because they release carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. If the heater is not properly vented, high levels of these gases are deadly. Also, when using electric space heaters, be sure to plug the heater directly into a wall outlet and use a heavy duty cord. Click here for more tips.

Read More

Pink Slime and Ammonia in your blood? Natural News Connection has ANSWERS!

Ammonium hydroxide, a bad and unhealthy option for all

According to Natural News, awareness associated with “pink slime” has caused a great stir all over the U.S.One of the biggest manufacturers of this stuff, BPI, has shut down all their factories, except one. Burgers and other food items laden with pink slime are still available all over the world and BPI vehemently refuses to disclose the end users. Companies try to pacify consumers saying that it’s only in processed meat but this is just not the truth and we all know that.

Exposure to ammonia gas is highly dangerous for the respiratory tract but may not be that harmful for the digestive system as it is only a gas. But when this gas comes in contact with water present within the meat, it produces ammonium hydroxide which is also known as ammonia water. This can wreak havoc on the human body and can lead to some disastrous side effects.

http://www.naturalnews.com/035517_pink_slime_ammonium_hydroxide_burgers.html

As reported by Natural News, ammonium hydroxide is mainly used as a floor cleaner, window cleaner and also as a source of food, mainly associated with slime and  when this is consumed, it can have disastrous effects on the human body. According to Material Safety Data Sheet, ammonium hydroxide can be quite harmful if it comes in direct contact with the skin as it can damage the soft tissue.

According to the FDA, ammonium hydroxide is safe but the safety levels of such chemical products depend upon the amount used. the presence of excess ammonium hydroxide  can not only damage the acid-base balance of our body but can also kill the good bacteria that are present in our digestive system.  Since no study has been conducted to establish the harmful levels of ammonium hydroxide so that the levels can be mentioned in the packaging, as the end consumers we should be completely aware of what we are buying and from where.

SUPERFOOD SOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE HEALTH RANGER:

 

http://www.truthpublishing.com/naturalhealthsolutions_p/yprint-cat21391.htm

 

http://store.naturalnews.com/

 

http://store.naturalnews.com/Chlorella_c_51.html 

 

Mike Adams says: "The only thing that stands between a person and their own perfect health is information. Empowered with the right information, anyone can improve their health, reduce their dependence on prescription drugs, enhance their quality of life and expand their mental awareness and creativity.”

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039178_free_antibiotics_pharmacy_superbugs.html#ixzz2LTD1CRlm 

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/About.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039145_chlorella_heavy_metals_lab_tests.html#ixzz2LTAfO2r1

 

Ammonium hydroxide, a bad and unhealthy option for all

According to Natural News, awareness associated with “pink slime” has caused a great stir all over the U.S.One of the biggest manufacturers of this stuff, BPI, has shut down all their factories, except one. Burgers and other food items laden with pink slime are still available all over the world and BPI vehemently refuses to disclose the end users. Companies try to pacify consumers saying that it’s only in processed meat but this is just not the truth and we all know that.

Exposure to ammonia gas is highly dangerous for the respiratory tract but may not be that harmful for the digestive system as it is only a gas. But when this gas comes in contact with water present within the meat, it produces ammonium hydroxide which is also known as ammonia water. This can wreak havoc on the human body and can lead to some disastrous side effects.

http://www.naturalnews.com/035517_pink_slime_ammonium_hydroxide_burgers.html

As reported by Natural News, ammonium hydroxide is mainly used as a floor cleaner, window cleaner and also as a source of food, mainly associated with slime and  when this is consumed, it can have disastrous effects on the human body. According to Material Safety Data Sheet, ammonium hydroxide can be quite harmful if it comes in direct contact with the skin as it can damage the soft tissue.

According to the FDA, ammonium hydroxide is safe but the safety levels of such chemical products depend upon the amount used. the presence of excess ammonium hydroxide  can not only damage the acid-base balance of our body but can also kill the good bacteria that are present in our digestive system.  Since no study has been conducted to establish the harmful levels of ammonium hydroxide so that the levels can be mentioned in the packaging, as the end consumers we should be completely aware of what we are buying and from where.

SUPERFOOD SOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE HEALTH RANGER:

 

http://www.truthpublishing.com/naturalhealthsolutions_p/yprint-cat21391.htm

 

http://store.naturalnews.com/

 

http://store.naturalnews.com/Chlorella_c_51.html 

 

Mike Adams says: "The only thing that stands between a person and their own perfect health is information. Empowered with the right information, anyone can improve their health, reduce their dependence on prescription drugs, enhance their quality of life and expand their mental awareness and creativity.”

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039178_free_antibiotics_pharmacy_superbugs.html#ixzz2LTD1CRlm 

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/About.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039145_chlorella_heavy_metals_lab_tests.html#ixzz2LTAfO2r1

 

Read More

Bill for statewide smoking ban appears to have been extinguished

The bill to enact a statewide smoking ban in Kentucky appears to be dead for this session of the General Assembly.

The House sent House Bill 190 back to committee today, and "House Speaker Greg Stumbo said he doesn't expect the bill to make it back to the full House," Sam Dick reported for WKYT-TV.

Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, an opponent of the bill, told Kentucky Health News on Feb. 21 that he did not think it had more than 41 votes in the 100-member House.

The bill to enact a statewide smoking ban in Kentucky appears to be dead for this session of the General Assembly.

The House sent House Bill 190 back to committee today, and "House Speaker Greg Stumbo said he doesn't expect the bill to make it back to the full House," Sam Dick reported for WKYT-TV.

Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, an opponent of the bill, told Kentucky Health News on Feb. 21 that he did not think it had more than 41 votes in the 100-member House.

Read More