FitSugar

Increased Cancer Risk in These Polluted Cities

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:03:42 PDT

If you live in a city, you know firsthand about air pollution. Eighty different cancer-causing pollutants ca be found in the air, and they're increasing many individuals' risk for developing cancer. According to the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment released by the EPA, nearly 600 neighborhoods across the US exceed a 100 in one million cancer risk. That means that if one million people breathe toxic air over the course of their lifetime, 100 people would develop cancer solely because of the pollution.

To find out which city's pollution levels are putting their residents at risk for cancer

read more. The chart below shows which areas have an estimated cancer risk greater than 100 in one million. It's no surprise that the major cities are the ones causing the greatest health risks. Tell me, does knowing pollution is directly connected to increased cancer risk affect where you live? Source

LA Ranks Number One For Dirty Air

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:30:00 PDT

The recently released State of the Air report ranks Los Angeles as the nation's dirtiest city, a spot that LA has unfortunately held for a decade.

The report, commissioned by the American Heart and Lung association, found that 186.1 million people, more than half the US population, live and breathe in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution. The rest of California did not fare so well either; the report found that the number of estimated premature deaths due to poor air quality, particulate matter specifically, has tripled. It is not surprising that three other metropolitan areas in California - Bakersfield, Visalia-Porterville, Fresno-Madera - rank among the nation's dirtiest.

To see the American cities that have the cleanest air,

read more. Made famous by the Cohen brothers movie, Fargo, North Dakota should also be famous for its great air quality. It is the only city to pass all three air pollution tests: ozone pollution, year-round particle pollution, and short-term (24-hour) particle pollution. Other cities to rank high in at least two out of the three tests are: Billings, MT; Cheyenne, WY; Colorado Springs, CO; and Honolulu, HI. You can check the state of your state's air quality at the State of the Air web site. How did your state rank? Source

Does Disney's "Dive In" Offend You?

babysugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:00:55 PDT

Nearly all parents of elementary school aged children know about the High School Musical phenomenon. Kids are crazy for the quirky teen sing–song sensation and Disney is cashing in on the paraphernalia surrounding it. Troy, Gabriella and the whole crew have had their likenesses turned into dolls, lunchboxes, backpacks and pajamas. While most of the items seem harmless, one packaged good is raising eyebrows.

Some parents have taken issue with the 3 pack set of undies with "Dive In" printed on the front of the panties. Since the outrage, Disney has pulled the product and issued a statement:

The knickers in question were designed using our High School Musical 2 artwork, which uses the creative theme of a swimming pool, as this is a key part of the film's storyline. . . Unfortunately a genuine oversight was made and the text on this product was used outside the context of the swimming pool.

Do you find the undies offensive?

Summer Fit Tip: Watch the Air Quality

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:00:00 PDT

Thanks to a series of fires up here in Northern California, many regular outdoor exercisers are being forced to take their workouts inside due to excess smoke in the air. It's especially important for those of us with asthma or upper-respiratory maladies, but everyone should use a little bit more caution when the air quality is not up to par this Summer. Use these tips for exercising to prevent damage to your health:

Do not run on or near roads where there is heavy truck or bus traffic.
Work out in the early morning or later in the evening when the ozone levels are at their lowest.
Exercise indoors if possible.
If you experience any difficulty breathing, stop your exercise immediately and see your doctor.

Source

Don't Get Exhausted

FitSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT

It's been super hot in my neck of the woods lately, which has led me to take my workouts indoors. Not only do I not want to risk heat stroke, but I'm also concerned about all the exhaust and smoke on the streets.

New research says that even when it has been reduced by clean-air technology, air pollution can damage an outdoor exerciser's health, especially someone who has asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or other cardiopulmonary maladies. You shouldn't let pollution deter you from your exercise goals, but you may want to keep these tips in mind:

Do not run on or near roads where there is heavy truck or bus traffic.
Work out in the early morning or later in the evening when the ozone levels are at their lowest.
Exercise indoors if possible.
If you experience any difficulty breathing, stop your exercise immediately and see your doctor.

Source

What You Should Know About Exercise and Air Pollution

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:30:00 PDT

There's been a lot of talk about the air quality in Beijing and how it is going to affect the Olympic athletes. But there is a significant amount of pollution stateside as well, and there are a few things you should know about pollution and exercise.

When you are working out, getting your cardio on, you take about 10 to 20 times the air that you would when just sitting on the couch. That makes sense right, the word "aerobic" often used to describe exercise does mean "with air." Generally when exercising and breathing hard you are breathing through your mouth (try as I might, I cannot breathe through my nose when I am running). This means the air bypasses our body's natural filtration system – the nose. Little particles of pollution then end up in the lungs. The unfortunate irony is that one of the important benefits of exercise is stronger lungs.

While exercising and breathing in exhaust is nowhere as dangerous as smoking cigarettes, there are a few things you can and should do to avoid "polluting" your body. To see them just

Mommy Alert! Air Pollution Affects Intelligence

LilSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:01:21 PST

Traffic pollutants can lower a child's IQ. According to a new study of 202, 8- to 11-year-old children in Boston, kids living in areas with cleaner air faired better on memory and intelligence tests.

A Reuters article on the findings said:

The effect of pollution on intelligence was similar to that seen in children whose mothers smoked 10 cigarettes a day while pregnant, or in kids who have been exposed to lead, Dr. Shakira Franco Suglia of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, the study's lead author, told Reuters Health.

The test focused on the children's exposure to black carbon.

Source

Rowbike: This Looks Like Fun

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:00:17 PST

The Rowbike is an exercise machine that provides the total body conditioning of rowing with the speed and excitement of being on a bicycle.

Riding the Rowbike will strengthen your arms, shoulders, upper back, and core muscles. It's a great cardio workout if you're used to running or regular biking, but it's much easier on your lower back, hips, knees, and feet.

It's a fun way to lose weight, tone up, lower your blood pressure, and relieve stress. It's also great for stretching your back, abs, and hamstrings.

Starting at $775, it's about as much as a regular high performance bike. Use it for exercise or a way to commute to work. You can enjoy the fresh air, and work your heart and muscles, and feel good knowing you're NOT contributing to air pollution.

Tips For Staying Healthy in a Dirty City

Elka Karl — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:00:20 PDT

As much as we try to keep our homes healthy, sometimes our efforts are thwarted by the fact that living in a large urban area means our home environments aren't quite as pristine as we'd like them to be. These environmental risks include noise pollution, which can actually lead to hypertension and heart disease, light pollution, which can interfere with sleep patterns, and particulate pollution from vehicles, which can lead to a number of health issues. I'm not suggesting that we all flee our urban homes - I love living in the city, and feel that the benefits definitely outweigh any risks associated with the urban landscape. Luckily, there are ways that you can counteract the pollution that's often inherent with living in a densely populated place. Here are some easy ways to improve your home's health factor, as well as your own health.

Fill your home with houseplants that clean the air, like these.
Take off your shoes in the entry of your home so you don't track dirt and pollution into your home.
Run an air purifier in your home - this one uses houseplants to clean the air!
Exercise regularly. Exercising in the morning and in outdoor green spaces (such as parks) is best.
Strive to get regular sleep. Use a sound machine and light-blocking curtains to ensure your Zs.

Keep reading for a list of the 10 dirtiest cities in the United States.

3 Reasons to Visit New Planet HD 85512 b

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:07:01 PDT

Good news, hopeful future space travelers, the European Southern Observatory announced the discovery of over 50 planets outside our solar system and currently in orbit around stars of their own. One of these planets, named simply HD 85512 b, has scientists excited, as its orbit location in relation to its star offers the possibility of an Earth-like environment.

Though HD 85512 b is 35 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Vela, we've been daydreaming about the travel possibilities if the planet is one day deemed visitable and accessible by humans. Here's why we can't wait to visit this new planet.

Tropical paradise - HD 85512 b is speculated to have a climate similar to Washington DC in the Summer (hopefully, minus any pollution). After months of mugginess, East Coast residents may be weary of such weather, but there can be some health benefits to a humid climate. It may be just the place for those who suffer from arthritis and joint pains, as humidity promotes healthy joints and muscles. Plus, no need for a stop at the spa during vacation; the moisture in the air is all the facial treatment you need.
Possible water planet - Earth is considered the Goldilocks planet for its perfect combination of planet resources and its place within the habitable zone of the sun's orbit. Meaning, it's in the "narrow area around a star where water can exist in liquid form." HD 85512 b also orbits within the habitable zone of its star, indicating the possibility for water if the planet is rocky and has more than 50 percent cloud cover. Though we love Mars, we're not sure it's a vacation destination until water is confirmed, so we'll add HD 85512 b to our dream space destinations as a backup.
Intrepid space exploration - In tech circles, people love to be early adopters, waiting days in line to be the first with the newest Apple product. The excitement of space travel has us clamoring to see worlds few other humans have witnessed. Don't worry, we'll take loads of pictures and report back.

Watch the video on the discovery of HD 85512 b and other news from the European Southern Observatory after the break.