Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DBKDzEkx1ph/ Levels of basement radon gas that are currently considered safe by the EPA  are associated with significantly elevated risks of childhood cancer, both leukemia and lung cancer.  So concludes a Harvard Public Health School study of nearly 42 thousand children in 14 states just published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.  The study reveals an increased risk of childhood leukemia between 8 and 12 percent. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up through your basement floor. The EPA states that no level of radon gas is perfectly safe but recommends measures to seal the home from gas leakage when indoor levels exceed 2 pCi/L.  The levels measured in these 14 states were at or below these levels yet cancer risks were increased. A radon gas test kit is readily available for as little as $16.  Isn’t your child’s health and your health worth more than the price of a pizza? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DBKC_95vO1b/ Where your arm rests while taking your blood pressure could deliver inaccurate measures of both your peak or systolic pressure and your baseline or diastolic pressure.  Inaccurate pressure measurements with your arm at your side or in your lap can adversely affect blood pressure medication dosing. Reporting their work in JAMA Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins researchers tested 133 adults comparing pressure measurement with the cuffed arm hanging down or resting in the lap with the proper positioning resting on a surface at the heart’s level.  A hanging arm overestimated the systolic pressure by 6.5 mmHg and the diastolic pressure by 4.4 mmHg.  An arm in the lap yielded overestimates of about 4 mmHg for both measurements. Everyone should be measuring their blood pressures regularly at home with relatively cheap automatic pressure cuffs.  Maintaining a normal blood pressure is critical for preventing a devastating stroke and avoiding heartbreaking dementia.

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DBKCMzAssD0/ Computer scientists at the University of California-Santa Cruz have developed smartphone apps that can help the blind navigate indoors through buildings.  Their Wayfinder app employs the map of an indoor space, the phones sensors, and artificial intelligence to relay verbal direction to the blind user who is moving through the space.  The system does not employ the phone’s camera and the user need not hold the phone out in front while walking.   Once at an indoor destination, the Backtracking app can guide the blind user back to an initial entry point using recorded data including numbers of steps and directions of movement. Smartphones can already be helpful for guiding the blind through outdoor spaces where satellite GPS is available.  These novel apps are a first step toward providing this same mobility independence for visually challenged persons indoors so that the blind can traverse any space with confidence….someday soon. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DBKAkn4tLIU/ University College London bioengineers have developed a new ultrasound-type scanner that employs  photoacoustic tomography or PAT.   This unit uses a laser to create ultrasonic waves capable of creating higher resolution images of tissues that lay up to 15 millimeters beneath the skin’s surface. This new scanner is 100 to 1,000 times faster than previous PAT units permitting tissue imaging in a few seconds rather than the previous 5 minutes or more.  This yields significantly sharper images by eliminating patient movement effects. The unit is invaluable for imaging blood vessels in fingers, oral structures like the tongue, and vasculature in the extremities of diabetics.  This remarkable photo acoustic tomography should be in clinical use… someday soon https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-024-01247-x #photoacoustictomography #pat #bloodsvessels #ultrasound #imaging

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DBJ_evWNwdh/ More than one in every four Americans will develop life-threatening heart failure during their lives, and many will develop it while they are young.  Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford University report that 6.7 million of us older than 20 have failing hearts and that number will nearly double to 11.4 million over the next 25 years.   One-third of the US population or as many as 117 million are at risk for heart failure.  The proportion of younger persons with heart failure is increasing faster than the proportion of elders suffering from it.  Black Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Hispanic Americans are at particular risk.  The highest heart failure death rates occur in the Midwest and Southern states. Since heart failure is the cause of 45% of cardiovascular deaths, you do want to prevent your heart from giving out too early.  The strategies you can employ to keep your heart pumping effectively: keep your weight

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DBJ_Jf9NCph/ Children born with with IVF and other assisted reproductive strategies have a 36% higher risk of congenital heart disorders diagnosed within the first year of life. This from some a study by the University of Gothenburg just published in the European Heart Journal. Studied were 7.7 million children born in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden between 1984 and 2015.  Besides the 36% higher general risk, the risk of these heart defects was the highest for assisted multiple births with a 44% higher risk vs. a 31% risk for single births. Now the actual number of births in the US with congenital heart defects is small, less than one in every 110 births, but those who are using IVF and other assisted reproductive techniques should be prepared for this occurrence.  The good news is that most of these lesions are treatable with excellent results.  You and your medical team just need to be aware of this possibility. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-artic

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAebjZMNWMi/ The Food and Drug Administration and Dynarex Corporation have recalled Dynacare Baby Powder, Batch Number B 05.  This baby powder is contaminated with asbestos.  Asbestos is a carcinogen and can be present in talc if the mine from which it comes is not carefully selected. This baby powder has been sold in: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, Washington, Wisconsin, and sold online on Amazon.com. Do not continue using this baby powder, and return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For additional information, call the Dynarex Corporation at 1-888-396-2739 or 1-845-365-8200 or reach the company via email at recall@dynarex.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dynarex-corporation-recalls-product-due-possible-health-risk #dynacare #babypowder #asbestos #cancer #recall \

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeaqA6MBQA/   The Food and Drug Administration and KTM Services are recalling Enjoy Premium Taro Cookies and Enjoy Premium Coconut Cookies both contain undeclared milk.  Those with an allergy to milk could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  Affected are cookies with a Best By date between 9/12/24 and 8/7/25. These cookies are sold in Hawaii, Guam, Las Vegas Nevada retail stores and online. If you, a family member, or household visitors have a milk allergy, return these cookies to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, contact KTM at 1-808-845-8089 or via the email cookierecall@ktmenjoy.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ktm-services-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-cookies #enjoy #cookies #coconut #taro #milk #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeZ3X8NCBr/ The Food and Drug Administration and Avole, Inc. have recalled Bacalaitos Criollos Codfish Frying Mix as it contains undeclared pollock.  Those with an allergy to fish could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  Affected is product number 310925 with a Use By date of 6/2025. If you bought this product return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Liana’s Food, Avole, Inc. at 1-787-225-7282 or 1-787-568-9020. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/avole-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-bacalaitos-criollos-codfish-mix #bacalaitos #codfish #mix #fish #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeZF0vvpGI/ The Food and Drug Administration and Grace Imports are recalling a1On the Go Kara Boondhi, Kerala Mixture, and Spicy Murukku snack products as they contain undeclared wheat.  Those with an allergy to wheat could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  These products were sold in Georgia. Return this product to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call the company at 1-770-270-1010. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/grace-imports-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-kara-boondh-kerala-mixture-and-spicy-murukku #a1onthego #snacks #whear #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeYdKUR75E/ The Food and Drug Administration and HP Hood are recalling LACTAID Milk in 96 oz. Containers as it contains almond.  Those with an allergy to almond could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  Affected product bears code number 51-4109 P2 and Best By dates between November 22nd and December 4th. This product has been sold in: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Return this product to the place of purchase for a refund or exchanges. For more information, call Hood Consuer Affairs at 1-800-242-2423. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hp-hood-llc-recalls-select-units-96-oz-refrigerated-lactaid-milk-due-possible-almond-allergen #hood #l

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeXkpHAU9z/ The Food and Drug Administration and the 123herbal company are recalling all lots of Vail-Bon Jie Yang Wan supplement capsules.  This product is contaminated with two drugs: dexamethasone and chlorpheniramine.  Dexamethasone is a powerful corticosteroid and chlorpheniramine is a strong antihistamine. This product was sold nationwide online at 123herbals.com and amazon.com. Do not consume this supplement.  Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact 123herbals at 123Herbals@gmail.com or by phone at 1-626-656-3202. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/123herbals-llc-123herbalscom-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-vail-bon-jie-yang-wan-capsules-due #vailbon #supplement #dexamethasone #chlorpheniramine #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeW8RWsphh/ The Food and Drug Administration and ANSWERS Pet Food are recalling lots of ANSWERS Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs, ANSWERS Straight Beef Formula for Dogs, and ANSWERS Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs.  These pet foods are contaminated with listeria and salmonella.  Both of these bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infections in animals and in man. If you have these pet foods, carefully dispose of them being careful not to  contaminate yourself in doing so.  For more information, contact ANSWER Pet Food by email at info@answerspetfood.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/answers-pet-food-voluntarily-withdrawals-certain-limited-lots-beef-and-chicken-dog-foods-due #answer #dogs #beef #chicken #listeria #salmonella #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeWU2_NoKt/ The Food and Drug Administration and Truly Good Foods are recalling Grabeez The Big Cheese Snack Mix cups with a Best Before 041625.  These cups containsa trail mix with peanuts, pretzels, and crackers but also undeclared almonds and cashews.  Those with allergies to almonds and cashews could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.  These cheese cups were sold in: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, and retail locations in Washington, D.C., Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. If you purchased these snack cups, dispose of them and contact the Truly Good Foods Company at 1-704-602-0610 or via the email marketing@trulygoodfoods.com in order to arrange a refund. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/truly-good-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-and-cashews-grabeez-big-cheese-snack-mix #grabeez #snacks #trailmeix #almon

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbyECHvMFR/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Newmemo are recalling Newmemo Children’s Ring Sets.  These toys contain toxic amounts of lead and cadmium that are above safe levels for children’s products. About 2200 of these ring sets were sold online at amazon.com. Take these ring sets away from your children.and contact Newmemo for a full refund.  You will have to email a photo of your ring set to cly2167@163.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Childrens-Jewelry-Sets-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Lead-and-Cadmium-Poisoning-Violations-of-the-Federal-Lead-Content-Ban-and-Federal-Hazardous-Substances-Act-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Newmemo #newmemo #ringset #lead #cadmium #poisoning #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbxcTMPgQd/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Polaris Industries are recalling Model Year 2023-2024 Polaris Sportsman 850, XP 1000, and XP 1000 S ATVs along with their fuel pump kits and fuel tank assemblies.  Fuel can leak at the fuel pump flange outlet leading to fires and burns. About 10,300 ATVs and 3,158 fuel pump kits and fuel tank assemblies were sold in the US and about 1,500 ATVs were sold in Canada. Stop riding these recalled ATVs and contact your Polaris dealer to arrange a repair. For more information, contact Polaris Industries at 1-800-765-2747. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Polaris-Recalls-Sportsman-All-Terrain-Vehicles-Due-to-Fire-Hazard #polaris #atv #fuelpump #leak #fire #burns #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbwpgwAdtn/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Inforce company have recalled Ceither Adult Portable Bed Rails.  The bedrail design allows a person to become entrapped either within the bedrail or between the bedrail and the bed leading to possible death by asphyxiation. About 1170 of these bedrails were sold exclusively at amazon.com. Stop using these bedrails.  To receive.a refund, email a photo of the bedrail along with either a purchase receipt or a statement with the date of purchase to xchan524@outlook.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Ceither-Adult-Portable-Bed-Rails-Recalled-Due-to-Serious-Entrapment-and-Asphyxia-Hazards-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-Adult-Portable-Bed-Rails-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Inforce #ceither #bedrail #entrapment #asphyxiation #death #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbwDTuNGeD/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Caframo, Ltd. of Canada are recalling Caframo Cabinet Heaters, model 942. A wire within the cabinet can become exposed with vibration and touch the metal housing leading to shock and electrocution hazards. About 2,140 of these cabinet heaters were sold in the US and about 200 units were sold in Canada at Graybar Electric Co., of St Louis, Missouri; Keystone Automotive Operations Inc., of Exeter, Pennsylvania; Hamilton Manufacturing Corp., of Holland, Ohio; and Controlled Access of the Midwest, of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and online at comfortsolutions.caframobrands.com and Amazon.com. Stop powering these cabinet heaters, unplug them, and contact Caframo Limited at 1-800-567-3556 or via email at contactus@caframo.com to arrange for free return shipping of the heater and either repair or replacement. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Caframo-Cabinet-Heaters-Recalled-Due-to-Electrocution-Hazard-Manufactured-by-Caframo-

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbvdnOtNbW/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Wee Gallery are recalling Wee Gallery Tummy Time Galleries.  Their art card pockets contain toxic phthalates at levels above those considered safe by federal regulations. About 8,000 of these galleries were sold in the US and about 50 in Canada at independent toy stores nationwide and online at weegallery.com, amazon.com, bloomingdales.com and babylist.com. Don’t allow your children to play with this product.  Contact Wee Gallery at 1-800-282-5149 or via email at tummytimerecall@weegallery.com to obtain disposal information and refunds. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Wee-Gallery-Recalls-Baby-Tummy-Time-Gallery-Due-to-Violation-of-the-Federal-Phthalates-Ban #weegallery #tummytime #phthalates #poison #children #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbu1-9NWX_/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Lucid are recalling CVB-LUCID Platform Beds with Upholstered Square Tufted Headboards.  These beds sag, break, and collapse when you are on them leading to falls and injuries.  About 137,000 of these beds were sold in the US and about 890 were sold in Canada online at Amazon.com, BedBathandBeyond.com, Belk.com, Brookside.com, eBay.com, HomeDepot.com, JCPenney.com, Lowes.com, Lucid.com, Macys,.com Menards.com, Overstock.com, QVC.com, Sears.com, Target.com, Malouf VIP.com, and at Wayfair, Walmart, and at stores nationwide. Stop resting on these beds and contact Lucid at 1-888-910-0236 or via email at recall@lucidmattress.com to obtain a free replacement frame.  You will have to write RECALLED on the support rails of the bed and send a photo of the rails or the law label to the email. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/CVB-Recalls-LUCID-Platform-Beds-with-Upholstered-Square-Tufted-Headboards-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-H