Health

Cancer and Rashes Causing Concern for Members of Northwest Angle 33B in Ontario

Cara McKenna APTN National News ANGLE INLET – Members in an isolated Ontario First Nation are asking questions about whether contaminated water could be causing everything from a recent emergency room trip to what they say is unusually high rates of bowel and stomach cancer. The chief of Northwest Angle 33B First Nation declared a state of emergency in mid-February after radioactive particles …


Immense Gas Leak in California Fuels Toxic Levels of Public Distrust

My visit occurred during the final days of one of the worst natural gas leaks in U.S. history, caused by a damaged well at the largest underground natural gas storage facility in the western part of the country. The Aliso Canyon storage facility, operated by the Southern California Gas Company (also known as SoCalGas), emitted 97,100 metric tonnes of methane during the months-long leak, …


The LA Gas Leak Could Be Plugged as Soon as This Week [Updated]

Under the most optimistic scenario, the catastrophic gas leak at Porter Ranch might be plugged by the end of this week, according to a recent announcement by a California state official. However, other state officials and the SoCalGas company warn it could take until the end of the month. Ever since a natural gas storage well near the Los Angeles-area community of Porter Ranch ruptured on …


Criminal Charges Filed Against Utility in Southern California Gas Leak

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles prosecutors filed misdemeanor criminal charges Tuesday against a utility for failing to immediately report a natural gas leak that has been gushing nonstop for nearly 15 weeks. District Attorney Jackie Lacey said the charges aren’t a solution to the problem, but Southern California Gas Co. needs to be held responsible for the leak that has uprooted more than 4,400 …


Class-Action Lawsuit Reveals Company Sat on 2004 Study Indicating Cold-Fx Does Nothing to Fight Colds

The makers of Cold-FX have sat for years on a study that suggested Canada’s most popular cold and flu remedy was no more effective than a placebo in treating symptoms of the viruses. The 2004 trial was conducted by Dr. Gerry Predy, a top Alberta public-health official, at a time when the supplement’s makers told consumers the product would bring fast relief from the effects of such ailments. …



Flint Water Crisis: Michigan Governor Apologizes

The governor said he wants tangible measures, such as additional testing and filters for the Flint community, but also long-term solutions to provide health care for those who were affected by the lead in the water. He apologized for the crisis, calling it an “unfortunate situation.” Mayor Weaver said the state will form a partnership with the city of Flint not just to resolve the issue of the …


Fitbit Being Sued for Faulty Heart Rate Tracking

Fitbit, the popular brand of fitness trackers, is facing a class-action lawsuit over faulty heart rate monitor results. According to Engadget, the devices’ problems occurred with inaccurate and dangerously low BPM numbers. The devices were Fitbit’s wrist-based heart monitors, “Charge HR” and “Surge,” which are sold for around $150 and $250, respectively, and are advertised as continuously and …


Are Health Hackers the New Cyber Security Threat?

Last January an administrator at health insurer Anthem noticed an unusually complex query running on the computer network. It looked like a colleague was responsible, but a quick check revealed that it was coming from somewhere else. Minutes later, Anthem was in crisis mode.


EOS Lip Balm Can Damage Skin, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges

A class action lawsuit has been filed against EOS, claiming its lip balm causes skin to crack, bleed and blister. According to the suit, filed in California, the plaintiff Rachael Cronin said her lips felt like “sandpaper” several hours after using the product. After she reapplied it to soothe her skin, her lips began to crack, flake and bleed.