Researchers said that hookah smoke exposed people to higher levels of carbon monoxide which is especially hazardous for those suffering from heart disease or respiratory conditions. It also exposes users to higher levels of benzene which has long been associated with leukaemia. The main reason scientists embarked on this research was because a number of people wanted to know if switching from a regular cigarette to a water pipe was a wiser option. Since they found no real difference in the amount of danger a smoker puts himself/herself in they suggest that quitting and switching is the best way to go.  Compared to non-smokers, if an individual smokes a hookah everyday, he or she is more likely to be at increased risk for cancer, scientists said.

The UCSF study included eight men and five women, all of whom had previous experience smoking cigarettes and using water pipes. Benowitz and Jacob had the volunteers smoke an average of three water pipe sessions or 11 cigarettes per day. Scientists found that the level of benzene byproducts doubled in urine. When compared to smoking this was a huge leap. Occupational exposure to benzene has been shown to increase the risk of developing leukaemia.Furthermore, the researchers measured carbon monoxide in the breath over 24 hours and found levels 2.5 higher after water pipe use in comparison to cigarette smoking. The differences in the slew of toxins that ended up in the bodies of volunteers were due largely to the fact that the smokers were smoking two different materials, according to Benowitz.

The chief scientist benowitz said that the smoking a hookah is basically burning tobacco over coal with some fruit flavouring. When there organic compounds are burned, they release a toxic substance called, VOC (volatile organic compound) and PAH’s (polycyclic aromatic compounds) which are highly carcinogenic (cancer causing).

The bright side to the study, it found that smoking a hookah reduced the amount of nicotine, (the addictive compound in cigarette) inhaled.

The court passed the order after Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising brought to its notice a circular issued by the union health and family welfare ministry in August 2012 asking the states to ban gutka (tobacco-laced areca nut pieces) and pan masala laced with tobacco and nicotine. The court directed the listing of the matter after four weeks.

The court also issued notice to the Central Pollution Control Board and the pollution control boards of all the states asking whether they were implementing the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. The court was told that under the rules it was the responsibility of the municipal authorities to set up collection system for plastic waste.

A note submitted to the court by the board said that as per the latest survey conducted by it in 60 major cities, the municipal solid waste generated is 50,592 tonnes per day out of which plastic waste was 843.2 tonnes. Describing the situation as alarming, the court said that it was like sitting on a time bomb.

Source: IANS

Most oral cancers begin in the tongue or in the floor of the mouth and are squamous cell carcinomas. They begin on the surface layer of the mouth and lips and if left untreated can spread to other parts of your body.  Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses and throat (pharynx). It may originate in any of the tissues of the mouth or may be a result of metastasis from a different part of the body. If not diagnosed and treated early, they can be life threatening.

There are many risk factors for developing oral cancer. If you are a man, you are twice as likely to get oral cancer as a women and the risk increases with age. You are more likely to develop a head and neck cancer if you have a history of cancer. Precancerous (premalignant) lesions are those lesions, which precede the development of full-blown cancer. These lesions are changes in skin or lining of the mouth that are not cancer but could trigger it. Common pre-cancerous conditions that occur in the mouth are Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia and Oral Submucous fibrosis.

Most cases of oral cancer are linked to one or the other form of tobacco use (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, chewing tobacco, dipping snuff, cigars, bidis, etc.). The longer the duration you use these, the higher the risk. Tobacco contains around 4,000 chemical constituents among which more than two dozen are known carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals). It is the single biggest culprit in the development of almost all pre-cancerous lesions. In India, the incidence of head and neck cancers is extremely high due to rampant tobacco-chewing habit in the form of gutka, quid, misri, snuff, etc.

Heavy alcohol use is another big culprit. Alcohol is known to irritate the lining inside the mouth or gums to a certain extent. And the risk increases if you use both alcohol and tobacco.

Sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D and facilitates calcium absorption by the body. But did you know that sun exposure over long periods of time may increase the risk of lip cancer?

Some studies also suggest that not eating enough fruits and vegetables may increase the chance of getting oral cancer.

Chronic irritation from rough teeth, dentures, fillings, etc. has been considered to a risk factor for Leukoplakia (a premalignant lesion).

Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV 16 and HPV 18) which cause cervical cancer are also being linked to cancer of the oropharynx (throat, base of tongue, tonsils and soft palate). These viruses are passed from person to person through sexual contact. Cancer at the base of the tongue, at the back of the throat, in the tonsils or in the soft palate may be linked with HPV infection.

Oral cancer may present itself with many symptoms, some of the common ones are listed below. However, you should know that having any of these symptoms does not always mean cancer. A good doctor or dentist will be able to help diagnose it right.

• Red (Erythroplakia) and white (Leukoplakia) patches on your lips or in your mouth

• Non-healing sore on your lip or in your mouth

• Swellings or lumps on the lips, gums, cheek, back of the throat etc.

• Bleeding in the mouth

• Numbness, loss of pain in any area of the mouth, neck or face

• Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue

• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing or speaking

• Loosening of teeth

• A change in the fit of denture

• Ear pain

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

• Unexplained weight loss

Early detection followed by appropriate treatment is very important for increasing survival rate and improving the quality of life. Hence a once a year screening for oral cancer is important. Most of the oral cancers can be diagnosed from lesions in the mouth. Your dentist will check for white or red patches, ulcerations, lumps and other signs in the mouth. If there is any area that is suspicious, he/she may use toluidine blue for vital staining which aids early recognition and hastens biopsy. However, Biopsy is the only definitive method of diagnosing oral cancer. Dental x-rays may show abnormalities in the bone. Other tests may include CT scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Like all other cancers, treating oral cancers requires a multidisciplinary approach comprising of dental practitioners, surgeons, oncologists, nutritionists and rehabilitation specialists. If your tumour is small it is usually excised with surgery. The affected tissue is removed with minimal damage to other structures of the mouth. In advanced and extensive cancer a part of your mouth lining may be removed. If the cancer involves your tongue or jaw bone, they may need to be partially or completely removed. This may cause disfigurement of your face, head and neck which can be corrected with reconstructive surgery using bone grafts and surgical flaps. Depending on the stage of your cancer, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may be used along with surgery. You may find it difficult to chew, swallow and speak after your treatment. In such instances, rehabilitation may be necessary for you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Dental or facial prostheses may be fabricated for cosmetic and functional reasons. They help in restoring speech and swallowing to normal. Prostheses also support the lip and cheek.

After the treatment it is very important to follow-up with your doctor who will monitor your recovery and check if there is any recurrence of cancer.

Photo source: creativesmilesdentistry118.blogspot.in

Very few topics will spark as much heated debate as those centered on whether it is best to restrict meat or indulge in them. A few questions which are raised time and again – is meat really necessary for our bodies’ protein requirements? Does it contribute to heart disease? Does it cause cancer like some people believe it does? Preeti Swaminathan talks to experts to clear the facts and myths about meat consumption.

Is meat necessary for our protein requirements?

Though a large number of Indians are purely vegetarian for religious reasons; meat does have its nutritional benefits. It is an excellent source of complete protein, containing all the amino acids that a body needs to develop and maintain muscles. It is also an excellent source of heme iron (which is very readily absorbed by the body) and Vitamin B12. However, vegetarian supporters argue that it is possible to cover our protein requirement from sources like milk and milk products, legumes etc.

Naini Setalvad, Nutritionist and Obesity and Health Consultant explains, ‘While meat is a good source of protein, it is not the sole protein source. Vegetarians do not consume any meat and there is no drastic reported case of protein deficiency related to vegetarianism. There are various plant sources of protein, such as pulses, legumes, sprouts and bean and even leafy greens provide protein. These food help maintain cholesterol as well as blood sugar levels’. She further adds, ‘Most of the meats we get today are high in chemicals. Today animals are no longer kept in their native inhabitations. They are fed with artificial diets consisting of grains, soy and their feeds contain artificial colouring and chemicals. These artificial diets/foods not only harm animal’s health but also the consumer’s. And thus, I believe, one should have vegetarian sources of protein rather than meat.’

Can meat contribute to heart disease?

High intake of meat, especially red meat (mainly mutton, beef and pork), has been associated with a significantly elevated risk of heart disease and cancer owing to the saturated fat it contains. Sodium used in processed meats may also increase cardiovascular disease risk through its effect on blood pressure.

Is meat carcinogenic?

Consumption of large quantities of red meat has been linked to colorectal cancer, according to researchers at the American Cancer Society.

Though there are theories about how meat actually does not get digested in our system and may end up causing cancer, research suggests it may be due to the heme iron present in it which on digestion releases compounds harmful to cells which may be carcinogenic.

When meat is cooked at high temperatures during grilling or frying, amino acids react with creatine to form food mutagens like heterocyclic amines.

 Dr Sanjay Jain, Consultant, Gastroenterology, Moolchand Medcity,New Delhi, argues that, ‘It is wrong to say that meat is not digested in human body, meat per se is not proven to be carcinogenic but there are certain chemical released during processing of meats which are carcinogenic. In certain studies it has been shown that vegetarians have lower incidence of cancer. In one large study on the British population, it was documented that, vegetarians had 12 per cent lower incidence of cancer but meat eaters who included fish in their diet were also at a reduced risk.’

 So, while the argument continues, people who want to relish their meat can follow these tips to cook meat better and reduce adverse health effects:

•  Eat freshly prepared chicken, other poultry, fish, lean beef and pork. They are safer than processed meats which are smoked, cured or salted. Ex:  Salami, sausages, bacon, pastrami, etc.
•  Meat should account for not more than 10 per cent of total daily calories. Fill up on fresh vegetables, fruits and greens and minimize the calories from meat and carbohydrates.
•  Choose lean meat like chicken and turkey in which skin has been removed.
• Trim out the fat from the meat before cooking
• Cooking the meat for a long time releases more heterocyclic amines which can be carcinogenic. Marinating meat is often suggested as a way to cut down this risk, but the evidence isn’t clear about the same.
• Cook smaller pieces of meat, as the meat cooks more quickly and at lower temperatures.
• Precook in the microwave, doing so for two minutes may decrease heterocyclic amines by 90 per cent, according to some research.
• Flip the meat frequently while cooking, that way neither side has time to absorb or lose too much heat.
• Remove the charred part from the meat before eating as they increase the risk of cancer.
• Avoid frozen meat. It comes packed with chemical preservatives which may be harmful to health.

The study led by researchers from the University of Milan, was based on 150,000 men and women showed that light drinking increased the likelihood of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and breast. One drink a day increases the risk of cancer of the oesophagus by almost a third, cancer of the  oral cavity and pharynx by 17 percent, and breast cancer in women by 5 percent.  The study was reported in the Annals of Oncology, and analysed data from more than 200 research projects.

The researchers said that given the high proportion of light drinkers in the population, and the prevalence of cancer in the population, even a small change in cancer risk is important. Certain studies have shown that drinking in small amounts helps in decreasing the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and dementia, leading to many believing that a glass of wine a day is good for health. That being said the damaging effects of alcohol are well known. An estimated 2.2 million deaths a year worldwide are linked to alcohol, and 3.6 percent of all cancers are linked to alcohol. The studies definition of light drinking is up to pne drink a day or 12.5 grams or less of ethanol. The study employed data from 92,000 light drinkers and 60,000 non drinkers.

The bench asked the central government to file the panel’s reports and its suggestions on the issue.  Jain’s advocate Sugriv Dubey submitted before the court that people were being misled as he was not getting information on radiation from the mobile telephone towers.  “The common man is being kept in dark and the effects of mobile towers are not being brought to the knowledge of the residents of the locality where the towers have been installed, and hence large number of persons are being affected with diseases like cancer and other disease,” said the petition.

Radiation from mobile phone towers causes glioma, a type of brain cancer, as reported by the committee before the World Health Organisation, submitted Dubey.  “The international agency for research on cancer has also established that the mobile phone towers are very powerful towers causing different diseases to the persons residing within 50 metres of the mobile towers.” The petition also submitted: “The radiation values and norms in other countries are more stringent and the exposure allowed is much lower but in our country there is no specific rules and no norms for residential areas, schools, offices, hospitals and playgrounds have been laid down to stop radiation exposure.”

Read what a radiation expert has to say about radiation from towers and mobile phones

Source: IANS

Saraswati, a roadside vendor off South Kolkata’s Bhowanipore, admitted: “All our green vegetables have been treated with ‘neel’ (copper sulfate) at the wholesalers market in Sealdah and Baruipur.” Copper sulfate is a major constituent of fungicides in agriculture and its ingestion affects the liver and kidneys and causes the formation of free radicals in the body which augment the ageing process. At the other end of the spectrum, Rhodamine B, which is a carcinogen, imparts the bright red hue to cherries. This dye is used in markers and also as an agricultural pesticide. It is a skin irritant. Vendors also frequently use calcium carbide, commonly known as carbide, to artificially ripen fruits like bananas and mangoes. “Raw mangoes are laced with carbide the moment they arrive at the wholesalers’ markets,” revealed Mohan, a small-time vendor at Salt Lake. Used in the steel industry, carbide results in neural problems and is also a carcinogen.

To take it up a notch higher, vendors rub petroleum oil on the surfaces to provide a glazed look to vegetables like tomatoes and brinjals. Petroleum oil’s toxic effects include respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. Pointing to the lusciously red tomatoes, Ratan Lal, a roadside vendor near Jadavpur, said: “The moment you cut them open, you can see they aren’t ripe. They arrive from the wholesalers like this.” Although thorough washing of the surfaces of fruits and vegetables is advised to get rid of the chemicals, this does not guarantee safety.

Explaining why, Raychaudhuri said: “Washing does not eliminate the chemicals that have already penetrated into the interior. Besides, when it comes to non-water soluble additives such as petrol oil, it fails.” “Consumers should also keep in mind that these fruits and vegetables have already received pesticide treatment prior to their display in the markets and further colour and freshness enhancements only make them deadlier”, said Raychaudhuri. “Troubleshooting should include good agricultural practices and setting up standard limits to their use,” he said.

Source: IANS

Yap and his co-authors Aparna Ratheesh and Guillermo Gomez studied Rho and discovered a network of proteins that ensure Rho is activated at the correct time. It follows the Yap’s 2010 and 2011 discoveries of how such proteins may form inappropriately.

Source: IANS

“60 Million Consumers”, the French magazine, published the results of the tests in its latest issue. The tests suggest that the alcohol levels are as low as 10 mg in every litre, and this works out at around 0.001 per cent alcohol. But the figures will still be enough to upset the thousands of Muslims who regularly drink Cola because their religion forbids them from drinking alcohol, the daily said.

The study found minute traces of alcohol in ten major alcohol drinks including Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic Light and Coke Zero. Michel Pepin, scientific director for Coca-Cola France, said: ‘It is possible that traces of alcohol come from the process of making Coca Cola according to its secret recipe.’ He however insisted that drinks were provably ‘soft’.

A Pepsi insider acknowledged that some drinks can contain minute traces of alcohol because of the Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by the American John Pemberton and was originally patented as a medicine which could cure everything from headache to impotence. It went on to dominate the international soft drinks market and is now a US icon sold in more than 200 countries.

However, caffeine is widely considered to be the main stimulant contained in the drink, along with vast amounts of sugar which have come to associate it with a range of health problems including obesity. Every can of Coke contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar. 

Are Nestle, PepsiCo and others misleading you with wrong labels? 

Can soft drinks cause cancer?

Source: IANS

In a recent report by the WHO, warnings have been given about fumes from diesel engines being carcinogenic (producing cancer) especially bladder cancer. They apparently belong in the same potentially dangerous category as asbestos, arsenic and mustard gas.

France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the WHO, reclassified diesel exhausts from its group 2A of probable carcinogens to its group 1 of substances that have definite links to cancer. The experts claimed their decision was unanimous and based on compelling scientific evidence. They urged people across the world to reduce exposure to diesel fumes as much as possible.

“The (expert) working group found that diesel exhaust is a cause of lung cancer and also noted a positive association with an increased risk of bladder cancer,” it said in a statement.

The decision to reclassify diesel wasn’t taken lightly and is the result of a week-long meeting of experts who analysed the latest scientific evidence on the carcinogenic potential of diesel and gasoline exhausts. It puts diesel fumes in the same risk category as noxious substances such as asbestos, arsenic, mustard gas, alcohol and tobacco. 

Christopher Portier, chairman of the IARC working group, said the group’s conclusion “was unanimous, that diesel engine exhaust causes lung cancer in humans”. “Given the additional health impacts from diesel particulates, exposure to this mixture of chemicals should be reduced worldwide,” he said in a statement.

These findings are ever more relevant in India where the petrol prices are skyrocketing compared to diesel and most auto-manufacturers come out with diesel versions of cars. Outside of Europe and India, diesel engines are almost entirely confined to commercial vehicles. German carmakers are trying to raise awareness for diesels in the United States, where the long distances travelled on highways suit diesel engines.

IARC noted that large populations all over the world are exposed to diesel exhaust in everyday life, whether through their jobs or in ambient air. ”People are exposed not only to motor vehicle exhausts but also to exhausts from other diesel engines (such as diesel trains and ships) and from power generators,” it said. IARC’s director Christopher Wild said that against this background, Tuesday’s conclusion “sends a strong signal that public health action is warranted”.

“This emphasis is needed globally, including among the more vulnerable populations in developing countries where new technology and protective measures may otherwise take many years to be adopted,” he said in a statement.

For the last two decades diesel engine exhaust was classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans 0 group 2A – but an IARC advisory group has constantly recommended diesel’s status be re-evaluated since 1998.

 The global auto industry, on the other hand, had argued diesel fumes should be given a less high-risk rating to reflect tighter emissions standards.

Reacting to the decision, Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Washington-based Diesel Technology Forum said diesel engine and equipment makers, fuel refiners and emissions control technology makers have invested billions of dollars in research into technologies and strategies to reduce emissions.

“New technology diesel engines, which use ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel, advanced engines and emissions control systems, are near zero emissions for nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter,” he said in a statement. A spokeswoman for the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said she was surprised by the move and the industry would “have to study the findings in all their details”. “These technologies have been developed to address precisely these concerns,” Sigrid de Vries told Reuters. “The latest diesel technology is really very clean.”

After the IARC report was issued, General Motors Co, said in a statement: “We will continue with our plans to introduce new fuel saving technologies and engines that run on alternate fuels, including diesel.”

GM said diesel engines being made today have lower sulphur content and emit much less particulate matter than engines from a few years ago.

However, experts feel the findings will have little impact on auto-companies and won’t force them to change plans their plans for expanding diesel fuel automobiles in the United States. About 5.5 percent of new autos, including light-duty pickup trucks, sold in the United States run on diesel, said Baum, and he said that figure is expected to rise to 8 or 9 percent by 2015. IARC said it had considered recent advances in technology which had cut levels of particulates and chemicals in exhaust fumes, particularly in developed economies, but said it was not yet clear how these might translate into health effects.

“Research into this question is needed,” it said. “In addition, existing fuels and vehicles without these modifications will take many years to be replaced, particularly in less developed countries, where regulatory measures are currently also less stringent.” IARC also said gasoline exhaust fumes should be classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans”, a finding that was unchanged from its previous assessment in 1989.

Also read: Are you likely to get cancer?