The black mould, Exserohilum rostratum (ex-sir-oh-HY-lum ross-TRAH-tum), which has caused meningitis in people who were treated with tainted shots for back pain is proving to be difficult to treat. Exserohilum rostratum an emerging causal agent for meningitis, is a common mould that can be found in soil and thrives in warm, humid climates. Although it […]
Archives for October 2012
Canadian Asbestos Regulations
Production and use of asbestos was at its highest in Canada in the 1970s and declined in the 1980s. Due to health concerns, asbestos production and use has become a hot topic with governments in developed countries being accused of poisoning poorer countries that still use asbestos. Below are the Canadian abestos regulations by provinces […]
Legionnaires’ Disease and Symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease (LEE-juh-nares) is a form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. A mild form of the disease is called Pontiac fever. Unlike Legionnaires’ disease, which affects only a small percentage of people who are exposed, Pontiac fever will affect approximately 90 percent of those exposed. In addition, the time between exposure to […]
Expanded Recall for Foaming Hand Soap due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Contamination
Recently there was a recall of Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap (Triclosan 0.3%) due to contamination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As a precautionary measure, the recall was extended to 21 lots of the product X3 Clean Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer (Benzalkonium chloride 0.13%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was discovered in 1882 and was subsequently found to cause a variety of […]
Legionnaires’ disease kills 11 in Quebec, 3 in Chicago
Legionnaires’ disease recently claimed 11 lives in Quebec City and 3 lives in Chicago. Legionnaires’ disease, first identified in 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia sickened hundreds of people who had attended an American Legion convention in Philadelphia is caused by Legionella bacteria. It is a deadly form of pneumonia contracted by inhaling airborne water […]