Here are several snippets of recently published health information which are valid for our corner of the world.
Cinnamon Oil Kills Mosquito Larvae
Better-Smelling Bug Repelling Tests Underway
July 16, 2004 — Cinnamon oil is an environmentally friendly way to kill mosquito hatchlings, a Taiwanese study shows.
It might even make bug repelling better smelling — although whether cinnamon oil keeps adult mosquitoes from biting has yet to be tested. The findings, from Sen-Sung Cheng, a natural products chemist at National Taiwan University, and colleagues, appear in the July 14 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Current mosquito-control efforts often rely on organophosphate insecticides. Use of these agents has raised health and environmental concerns, Cheng and colleagues note, so they looked for a different approach. They noted that cinnamon leaf oils have been shown to inhibit bacteria, termites, mites, mildew, and fungi.
Cheng’s team derived various oils from the leaves of a type of cinnamon tree that grows in Taiwan. They tested the oils — and their main ingredients — against the larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This is one of the mosquito species spreading dengue fever — a viral illness transmitted to humans by mosquitoes during the feeding process. They found that one chemical in the oil, cinnamaldehyde, worked the best. At less than 50 parts per million, it killed half the mosquito larvae. That’s better than DEET, currently the best-known mosquito repellent which is applied on the skin and repels insects rather than kills them. Dr Cheng and his team have also proposed a theory that this aromatic oil may deter adult mosquitoes, although this theory has yet to be proven. Cinnamon oil is generally sold in small bottles as an aromatherapy.
Lead Dangers Prompt Toy Jewelry Recall
Children’s Jewelry May Pose Lead Poisoning Risk
July 8, 2004 — Federal officials are asking parents to search their children’s jewelry boxes in one of the largest recalls in history. In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four toy jewelry importers today announced a voluntary recall of more than 150 million rings, necklaces, and bracelets sold in vending machines across the U.S. Tests conducted by the CSPC have shown that the toy jewelry may contain dangerous levels of lead. Young children are prone to putting these items in their mouth or swallowing them, which may cause lead poisoning. In children, lead poisoning can result in behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems, and growth retardation. Very high levels can lead to coma, convulsion, and death.
The CPSC has not received any reports of lead poisoning or illness associated with the products involved in today’s recall. However, officials have received one report of lead poisoning when a child swallowed a piece of toy jewelry containing lead that was previously recalled.
Recalled Jewelry Sold Between 2002-2004
The toy jewelry involved in the recall was sold in vending machines located in malls, discount, department, and grocery stores nationwide from January 2002 through June 2004 for between $.25 and $.75. The CPSC says only about half of the 150 pieces of toy jewelry being recalled actually contains lead. But because it is difficult to distinguish lead jewelry from non-lead jewelry, the toy jewelry industry decided to recall all of it. The recalled jewelry includes many styles of rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Rings. The rings are gold- or silver-colored with different designs and paint finishes with various center stones.
Necklaces. The necklaces have black cord or rope or gold- or silver-colored chains; they have pendants, crosses, or various geometrical designs or shapes with or without gemstones.
Bracelets. The various styles of bracelets include charm bracelets, bracelets with medallion links, and bracelets with faux stones.
All the recalled toy jewelry was manufactured in India.
To view pictures of the recalled jewelry or learn more about the recall, visit the CPSC’s web site http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04174.html or www.toyjewelryrecall.com.
Please note that while this article was published in the United States, there is a potential risk that this jewellery will find its way to the Indonesian market.
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Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com”.
