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Healthy World Watch August 21st, 2009
Kathryn Meigel
Friday, August 21, 2009
Top Tips
• Need an idea for all those plastic water bottles you are presented with at parties? Although they can be recycled, you can also try The Green Girls “bottle bubble blower”. Save some green on party favors and give the kids a lesson in recycling.
• When planning your next garden, have your soil tested for its nutrients and potential contaminants, like lead; that is exactly what the Obama family did. Although findings were below levels considered hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency there was still room for improvement at the White House. If you would like more information on testing your soil, call the EPA’s lead hot line at (800) 424-5323.
Recent Research
• A Science News article cited that exposure to common hydrocarbons—mostly from traffic—can significantly lower a child’s IQ. Experts say the 5-point drop seen overall in children born in urban environments does not seem like much, but extrapolate that across a population the size of the United States; thus increasing the number of children who meet the criteria for mental retardation requiring more assistance in school. Urban pollution is also attributed to increased rates of childhood asthma, ADHD, and criminal behavior. In the bigger picture, scientists argue the current discussions over health care reform do not examine diminishing the overall need for therapeutic care by reducing toxins in our air.
Other News
• A better understanding of why certain children are at increased risk of developing leukemia, the most common childhood cancer was reported this week. Studies suggest that individuals who inherit specific genetic variants are almost twice as likely to develop the disease. Not thought to run in families, these findings show a genetic link which can also offer potential advances in treatment with the identification of a gene that may help to predict drug response.
• Studies in Spain found that toddlers with above average cognitive skills were less apt to become overweight two years later as they entered elementary school. A growing body of evidence points to a link between being overweight and having poor thinking skills. About 400 children aged 4 were given standard cognitive function tests. Researchers’ state there is still much investigating to be conducted to clarify these findings.
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Posted by Marianne on 08/21/2009 at 07:32 AM
Parents should also consider testing the tap water, whether it’s from a municipality or a private well. There are many contaminants that can more adversely affect children than adults. Once you have tested the water then you can make an informed decision on treating the water if unhealthy contaminants are present.