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Atlantic County's air rates "C" in report by Lung Association

tdsollog — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:16:23 -0700

Atlantic County's air rates "C" in report by Lung Association
By MICHELLE LEE Staff Writer, 609-272-7256
Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/156700.html

The air in Atlantic and Cumberland counties is slightly better, while the air quality in Ocean County remains poor, according to the American Lung Association's 2008 State of the Air report.
Atlantic County's rating was among the highest in the state, scoring a "C," with four unhealthy ozone days, up from a "D" in last year's report, which included seven unhealthy ozone days. Cumberland County's rating went to a "D" with eight unhealthy ozone days, up from an "F" with 10 unhealthy ozone days. Ocean County's rating stayed at "F" with 30 unhealthy ozone days for both reports. Most counties in New Jersey had low air quality scores, and Cape May County was not included in the report.

The 2008 State of the Air study, released earlier this month, used data from 2004 to 2006 from state agencies and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate cities and counties across America for trends in high ozone days, particle pollution and the groups of people who have health problems associated with air pollution. The report released last year used data from 2003 through 2005. The American Lung Association is a health organization that focuses on preventing lung disease.

Ozone is a gas that can be found naturally in the Earth's atmosphere and at ground level. During hot, sunny days, ground-level ozone can react with nitrogen and other compounds and turn into a harmful pollutant that can sicken people. Particle pollution, with small materials, such as ash, soot and dust, can enter the air and lead to respiratory problems. The 204-page report advocates for various changes to improve air quality, such as cleaning up dirty power plants, reducing diesel emissions and requiring ships and boats to use cleaner marine fuels and engines.

Although the New Jersey scores are still low, the overall air quality is better than other states and the grades show signs of improvement, said Kevin Stewart, director of environmental health for the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic. Stewart noted that ozone levels in Atlantic County are getting better, and he generally attributed the changes to stricter pollution regulations for power plants and car exhausts. "You got passing grades across the board here and that's something to cheer about," Stewart said. "We encourage it, and it would be nice if all of New Jersey had the same quality of air."

William O'Sullivan, the state Department of Environmental Protection's director of the Division of Air Quality, generally agreed with the findings of the report and said the state is working on initiatives to reduce air pollution. "The air remains poor, and we don't deserve a high grade based on air quality," O'Sullivan said. "But it is improving, and we are making significant changes to improve the standard."

Last year, the state DEP submitted a plan to reduce the emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and volatile organics; the plan is being reviewed by the EPA. Proposals drawn up to curb global warming would help clear the air, and the state will create new regulations in the coming year to meet stricter ozone health limits the EPA passed in March, O'Sullivan said.

Atlantic County Public Health Officer Patricia Diamond said it was good that air quality is improving in the county and it is especially important for people with chronic conditions such as asthma, emphysema and arthritis. Diamond credited the state DEP for enforcing the state's air quality regulations.

Diamond added that people who have health conditions that may compromise their breathing should always check local newspapers and television stations for daily air quality reports.

Herb Roeschke, the public health coordinator for Cumberland and Salem counties, said it was great that the report is available and that the American Lung Association is looking into air pollution. Roeschke said that the Cumberland County Health Department adopted more policies to monitor smaller sources of air pollution, such as gas stations and boiler units. Roeschke added that air quality data needs to be looked at for longer periods of time to get a clearer understanding of air pollution and how certain factors, such as weather, can play a large role.

The American Lung Association report did not explain what contributed to Ocean County's 30 unhealthy ozone days and 30 unhealthy days for particle pollution. Stewart said air pollution from other states can travel by wind and show up in other locations. Stewart noted that Ocean County is in the Pennsylvania wind path, and air contaminants could be coming from Philadelphia, which ranked 11th on the list of cities with the most ozone pollution and 22nd for short-term particle pollution.

Phone calls made to the Ocean County Department of Health were not returned Monday.

To e-mail Michelle Lee at The Press:
MLee@pressofac.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To learn more about the American Lung Association and view the State of the Air Report 2008, visit www.lungusa.org

To view the state Department of Environmental Protection's daily air quality report, visit www.state.nj.us/dep/airmon

To learn more about air quality in New Jersey and ways to reduce pollution, visit www.nj.gov/dep/aqaweek

Aqua Lung Recalls Scuba Regulators and Adapters Due to Drowning Hazard

tdsollog — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:57:57 -0700

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2008
Release #08-393

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 253-3483
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Aqua Lung Recalls Scuba Regulators and Adapters Due to Drowning Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Titan DIN 1st Stage Scuba Regulators and Titan/Conshelf DIN Scuba Adaptors

Units: About 6,000

Manufacturer: Aqua Lung USA, of Vista, Calif.

Hazard: Over-tightening of the DIN retainer by a technician during installation can result in the retainer breaking under pressure, a rapid escape of air from the scuba cylinder, and the regulator detaching from the scuba cylinder. This poses a drowning hazard to divers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a DIN retainer breaking under pressure. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled regulators have a brass DIN retainer manufactured prior to June 2006. The recalled Aqua Lung Titan Din 1st Stage regulators have serial numbers lower than 6062501 stamped on the side of the regulator’s body. Recalled Titan/Conshelf DIN adaptors are marked “300 BAR MAX” on the side of the part. DIN adaptors marked “300 BAR MAXI” are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Authorized Aqua Lung dealers nationwide from January 1997 through September 2008 for about $300 to $450 for the scuba regulators or $70 for DIN adaptors sold separately.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled diving regulators and DIN adaptors and return them to any authorized Aqua Lung dealer for a free replacement DIN retainer.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Aqua Lung toll-free at (877) 253-3483 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aqualung.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08393.html

Strike a Yoga Pose: Arching Low Lunge

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:30:23 -0800

My hip flexors are one area of my body that could always use some extra attention. Here's a lunge variation, similar to Warrior 1, but with your back knee resting on the floor, you can really increase the stretch for the muscles on the front part of your back thigh. Arching your spine backward also offers a great stretch for the abs and shoulders; not to mention it strengthens your core and increases flexibility in your spine.

Sanskrit Name: Anjaneyasana
English Translation: Low Lunge Pose
Also Called: Arching Low Lunge or Grounded Warrior 1

Curious to know how to get into this pose? Then read more.

Begin in Downward Facing Dog. Step your right foot forward between your hands, making sure your knee is directly above your ankle. Lower your left knee to the floor.
Lift your torso and raise your arms straight into the air. Allow your hips to press down toward the floor to increase the stretch in your right hip and left hip flexor. From here, arch back, gazing at the ceiling or toward your hands.
Stay here for five deep breaths and then repeat this pose with the left knee forward.

Do you love talking about all things yoga? Then you'll definitely want to check out the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

'Popcorn lung' lawsuits target N.J. companies (diacetyl butter flavor)

tdsollog — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:16:00 -0700

'Popcorn lung' suits target N.J. companies
Sunday, July 27, 2008
BY ROBERT COHEN
STAR-LEDGER WASHINGTON BUREAU
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/business-10/1217133...

WASHINGTON -- After working less than a year at a St. Louis company mixing butter flavoring for food products, Jerry Blaylock says he became short of breath, was up most nights coughing, and eventually needed oxygen 24 hours a day.

"I lost 58 percent of my breathing capacity. I can't take a walk without stopping to rest," the 59-year old Illinois resident said during an interview. "I can't work, I'm on total disability, and I can't really go out and do anything with my grandkids."

Blaylock is one of hundreds of workers in the food flavoring and processing industries who have been diagnosed with a life threatening respiratory ailment -- officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans and commonly called popcorn lung disease -- that has been linked to airborne exposure to the chemical diacetyl.

This ingredient has been widely used to create a buttery taste and smell in candy, pastries, frozen foods and microwave popcorn, although most major popcorn makers recently have turned to other options.

Today, numerous companies, including several New Jersey firms that either produced the chemical, distributed it or used it to mix and create the butter flavorings for foods, are facing more than 500 lawsuits from factory workers like Blaylock in Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois.

The lawsuits have riled the flavor and fragrance industry, creating a potential liability of hundreds of millions of dollars for failing to warn workers about the dangers of diacetyl and to provide adequate safety protections.

Among the New Jersey companies that made or distributed the diacetyl and are defendants in lawsuits are Polarome International, a Jersey City-based supplier of oils and aroma chemicals and one of the parties in the Blaylock case; Elan Chemical of Newark; and Berje of Bloomfield.

International Flavors and Fragrance, which has facilities in Hazlet, South Brunswick and Union Beach, created butter flavors using the chemical ingredient and is a party to a number of pending cases. So far, IFF and its subsidiary, Bush Boake Allen, have been involved in four verdicts or settlements resulting in damage awards totaling $42.7 million.

WHO IS TO BLAME?
The chemical and flavoring firms argue the butter flavor chemical is safe when handled properly, and their customers were warned the flavoring should be mixed in a well-ventilated area and that workers should wear respirators when heating it.

Attorneys for the injured workers insist the warning and precautions were inadequate or nonexistent.

"This is the result of years of no government oversight, and allowing the industry to regulate itself," said Missouri attorney Kenneth McLain, one of the law firms representing Blaylock and hundreds of the workers who have filed suit.

"These firms treated chemical products like they are food, and provided the workers with no or minimal protections," he said.

In court papers in the Blaylock case, physician and occupational health expert David Egilman contended that "Polarome did not conduct any tests on the health hazards of the product they sold," but knew about potential dangers and failed to convey that information to the users.

Executives from Polarome did return telephone calls seeking comment. But their attorneys said in court papers the chemical was not unreasonably dangerous, and they faulted Blaylock for not following written warnings or taking precautions to protect himself.

The lung condition experienced by Blaylock first came to public attention with the 2000 discovery of a cluster of sick workers at a microwave popcorn factory in Jasper, Mo.

'MOST DRAMATIC CASES'
By 2003, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health had conducted an investigation, linked exposure to vapors from butter flavoring to the lung disease, and sent warnings to some 4,000 companies nationwide.

As part of its testing, NIOSH exposed lab rats to airborne concentrations of the chemical for a single six-hour period, and found what the lead investigator called "the most dramatic cases of cell death I've ever seen."

A test with similar results had been done by a German company in 1993 and was subsequently known to some chemical firms, but kept secret from the public for many years, according to Egilman.

Only one consumer, a Denver man who ate microwave popcorn daily for many years, has been found so far to have developed the lung disease from breathing fumes. There is no information to suggest any risk from eating butter-flavored microwave popcorn.

John Hallagan, head of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, the industry trade group, said the issue has been "emotionally wrenching for the entire industry because we are talking about people's health and safety, and our own workers."

Hallagan said his association has urged members to reduce use of diacetyl content in their flavors and has held workshops including some in New Jersey to train flavor manufacturers on safety issues.

"This is first time we had this sort of focused emphasis on respiratory health and safety in this way," he said." We have not denied there is a problem. No one understands exactly what is going on, but we didn't need certainty to take strong action."

David Michaels, an occupational health expert at George Washington University, said the industry trade group has taken some positive steps but cautioned its program is voluntary, and that "the only incentive to do the right thing has been fear of litigation."

NO ACTION YET
Michaels said that despite the NIOSH findings and other evidence, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which sets workplace standards, and the Food and Drug Administration, which has approved the controversial chemical ingredient as a safe food product, have not taken action.

"This is a case where the government has abdicated its responsibilities to protect workers and consumers," Michaels said. "It reflects the Bush administration's deep-seated opposition to any sort of regulations.

In June 2007, the FDA rejected a request from Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) to bar use of the chemical diacetyl as a flavoring agent until further tests were completed. The agency said it was monitoring the scientific literature, but rejected the request because it "does not have evidence that would cause it to take immediate action with respect to diacetyl."

Last fall, OSHA issued a safety bulletin regarding "respiratory disease among employees in microwave popcorn processing plants," and began an inquiry to determine whether it should regulate the controversial flavoring agent. To date, OSHA has not issued any new safety regulations.

Robert Cohen may be reached at rcohen@starledger.com

FCG: Week 2 Exercise Challenge - The Star Lunge

mymaria — Sun, 27 May 2007 08:21:48 -0700

Now last week we all tried to get our heart rate up and speed increased. This week we will take our challenge in another direction – The Star Lunge. These are a great exercise for the legs and butt.
To begin, the start position is to stand with your feet together and a weight in each hand. Start with light weights. Now, step forward with your right leg into a lunge position for a forward lunge. Bring your right foot back to the start position. Now, bring your right forward out to the right for a side step (similar to a squat). Bring right leg back to start position. Then, take your right leg and step back for a reverse lunge. Back to start. Do three sets of eight for each leg. You will feel this the next day!!! Enjoy!
Keep good form. Click the link for reverse lunge from FitSugar for some tips. Keep your torso up. Keep your knee over your ankle when stepping forward, sideways and back. Doing this in front of a mirror the first few times helps.

Remember: Add your comments below to share your experience trying out this move! Also, join the trend and add your workout logs on the Fitness Challenge Group. Just make a blog with the title "[myusername] Work Out Log [date]"

Stay positive and stay fit!

Getting to the Bottom of the Paul Newman Lung Cancer Reports

justingirl1989 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:13:13 -0700

Although Paul Newman’s rep has denied reports that the 83-year-old actor is terminally ill, yesterday it was reported that Newman has turned over the entire $120 million value of his ownership in Newman’s Own - the company that makes salad dressing, spaghetti sauce and cookies - to charity, which has only added fuel to rumors that the Academy Award winner is dying of lung cancer.

However; it should be noted that Newman actually set up Newman’s Own Foundation Inc., the recipient of the donations, two years ago - prior to any alleged lung cancer diagnosis - in honor of his 80th birthday to ensure his charities would continue benefiting from his generosity.

Reports of Newman’s illness started in March when PageSix reported that the Academy Award winner had been seeing an oncologist at New York’s Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for the past seven months.

“He’s been there a lot - he’s even worked out in the waiting room, doing squat thrusts. Last time he was in there he had a long beard,” an unnamed source told PageSix.com. “Joanne Woodward is there waiting for him and being very sweet with the assistants.”

The Web site previously reported that Newman was a no-show at his Hole in the Wall Gang charity party last Monday night. According to his rep, it was because “he’s been having trouble with his back,” PageSix.com reported.

Then late last month Newman announced he would not be directing “Of Mice and Men”at the playhouse in his hometown of Westport, Conn. (*see note below), citing an unspecified illness:

“I’m very sorry I can’t be part of this Westport Country Playhouse production, but I leave Of Mice and Men in Mark Lamos’ very capable hands with the full support of my wife, Joanne Woodward, and Anne Keefe as Playhouse artistic directors.”

*Although many media outlets are reporting that Newman was to direct “Our Town,” that isn’t the case. Newman actually starred in a production of “Our Town” at Westport six years ago, which may be the cause of the confusion.

Last week rumors of his illness were intensified when Martha Stewart posted photos of a gaunt-looking Newman on her blog from a benefit she hosted for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an organization for which the actor sits as board of directors.

And now Fox News is reporting that a friend of Newman’s has confirmed his illness:

“He’s a fighter,” one of his close friends told me Tuesday morning. “And he’s going to keep fighting.”

So does he or does he not have lung cancer? All I can say is that if he does, it is obvious that he and his family are trying to keep this a private matter. Not surprising since he and wife Joanne Woodward have lived far from the Hollywood spotlight in Westport, Conn. for the last 50 years.

I think I can speak for all of us in saying we hope the rumors are just that.

http://bittenandbound.com/2008/06/11/getting-to-the-bottom-of-the-paul-n...

My father-in-law's lung cancer and lobectomy

tdsollog — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:06:52 -0700

Hello ladies..... I just received word about my father-in-law. My husband called me from Robert Wood Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ. http://www.rwjuh.edu/
Dad just had a lobectomy, to remove the lower portion of his left lung, as well as a biopsy of the lymph nodes. http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/lung-surgery-thoracotomy-for-lung-cance...
He will be in recovery for approx 5 - 6 hours. We are hoping and praying that the doctors got it all.

Please, ladies, if you smoke, or you know someone who smokes, please get help right away. Dad quite smoking a little over 12 years ago, while I was pregnant with Adam, my oldest. Please let my worries and my father-in-law's surgery be a lesson.

I'll keep you posted.

Grass found growing on a baby's lung!!!

lorenashley — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:33:45 -0700

Chinese surgeons who operated on a baby girl with breathing problems were amazed to find grass growing on her lung.

The 10-month baby girl, from Zhoukou city, was initially diagnosed with pneumonia but the symptoms didn't improve after several days of treatment.

"So we took the baby to another hospital in the capital city," the father, surnamed Han, told the Dahe Daily newspaper.

At the 3rd affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the baby was diagnosed with pyopneumothorax, a rare complication of pneumonia, but again the symptoms remained despite treatment.

Finally, doctors decided to perform open-chest surgery.

"We were surprised to find a 3cm piece of grass growing on the baby's right lung," said chief surgeon Li Qun.

Doctors removed the grass, and the baby is now recovering. The parents say the grass is the same type as in their yard at home where the little girl often plays.

Doctors says it's possible grass seed was blown into the baby's nose and through her respiratory system to the lung and found suitable growing conditions there. But they've never seen such a thing before.

WOW. That sounds all kinds of nasty but I am glad she is recovering.

No Truth to Michael Jackson Lung-Transplant Story

justingirl1989 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:08:49 -0800

Claims that Michael Jackson needs a lung transplant because of a rare respiratory disease is a "total fabrication," according to a statement released by Jackson's "official and sole spokesperson, Dr. Tohme Tohme" and issued by Los Angeles firm Scoop Marketing, Reuters reports.

Word of Jackson's supposed condition – that he was suffering from Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency – had circulated after writer Ian Halperin, who's at work on an upcoming biography of the 50-year-old music legend, was interviewed in Britain's Sunday Express newspaper.
– Stephen M. Silverman http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20248694,00.html

Good news: My father-in-law's lung cancer and lobectomy

tdsollog — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:03:13 -0700

Good news, ladies!!!!!

Dad went home today. Now, comes the tough part. We have to wait for the pathology report to come back on the lymph nodes. He might need chemo or radiation.