PCBs are still causing harm decades after ban

Stephanie Fox-Rawlings, PhD, National Center for Health Research Polychlorinated bisphenyls (PCBs) were banned in the US in the late-1970s, but they still pose a danger to our health. They were widely used in electrical equipment (such as fluorescent light fixtures) and building materials (such as caulk and paint). Today they are found everywhere on Earth…

National Center for Health Research Joins Other Safety Advocates to Applaud IKEA Recall, Emphasize Need for Consumer Awareness

June 28, 2016 On June 28, 2016 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and IKEA announced the recall of 29 million IKEA Malm dressers responsible for the deaths of three toddlers in tip-over accidents. IKEA has agreed to immediately stop selling the dressers and is offering consumers either full or partial refunds or a free wall-anchoring…

Are e-cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes?

Don’t be fooled. E-cigarettes are addictive and contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Can cell phones harm our health?

The extensive use of cell phones is a relatively recent phenomenon, and since cancers usually take at least 10-20 years to develop, it will be years before research is likely to conclude whether cell phones cause cancer or not. However, the evidence indicates possible cause for concern.

Do heartburn medications (Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, etc) cause kidney disease?

Popular heartburn prescriptions include Prilosec, Nexium Prevacid, Kapidex, Aciphex and Protonix, which are all a type of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). New research shows that people who take popular heartburn medications are more likely to develop serious kidney disease.

Statins lower cholesterol but will they reduce your risk of heart attacks or strokes?

The FDA issued new safety warnings for statins in February 2012 about the increased risk for diabetes, memory loss and muscle pain, symptoms that we have been warning patients about for some time.

Home sweet home? Flame retardants in your home can harm you

Toxic flame retardants commonly found in upholstered furniture, drapery, carpets, plastic-cased electronics, and foam baby products have been known to cause cancer and affect children’s growth and brain development.

Risks of Splenda: Too risky to use?

If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, you probably have tried Splenda, the brand name for sucralose, a sugar-free, no-calorie synthetic sweetener. It’s in the yellow packets, and is one of the most popular no-calorie sweeteners in the US. But new research suggests it might not be as safe as everyone thought.

Low T: are testosterone treatments safe and effective for men?

Testosterone therapy was developed for good reason, but hormones should not be taken lightly in an effort to stave off aesthetic affects of aging.

Do beauty products affect hormones, early puberty, birth defects, and other health problems?

There is mounting evidence that suggests harmful chemicals in personal care products could be a potential cause of early puberty and other health issues.