Japan: More foods banned, Tap water unsafe for kids

UPDATE: Health officials in Japan said on Wednesday that the radioactive iodine (RI) content of tap water in Tokyo was found to be increased twice the upper limit considered safe for babies. The RI level measured 210 becquerels per liter (Bq/L) of iodine-131. The recommended limit for infants is 100 Bq/L of iodine-131.

The public is urged to avoid giving tap water to infants who are sensitive to RI, which may cause thyroid malignancy, in a report by Boston.com.

Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara said, "We advise against using the tap water for drinking and for making infant formula for babies under 1 year old."

However, the RI levels of the tap water does not pose immediate threats to adults. The recommended limit for adults is 300 Bq/L of iodine-131.

More information here.

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The health ministry of Japan advised the public on Wednesday to refrain from eating 11 vegetables produced in Fukushima Prefecture that were found to have higher than normal levels of radioactive materials following a series of explosions on the damaged nuclear plant.

In addition to the earlier indefinite ban on vegetables—spinach and kakina—health ministry officials forbid the consumption of broccoli, cabbages, turnips and other green leafy veggies such as aburana, chijirena, komatsuna, kosaitai, santona andshinobufuyuna for the mean time, in a report by Japan Today. Sorry, I am not familiar with the English translation.

Japan issues food ban for the first time post-nuke blast

An indefinite ban on spinach, kakina--a local green vegetable--and milk produced in Fukushima and nearby prefectures was announced on Monday by Prime Minister Naoto Kan when samples were found to be "hot." This is the first time the government issued a food ban since the Fukushima I nuclear plant exploded a few days ago.

The Japan Times said the ban may cause further public outcry already anxious from the damages brought by the recent powerful temblor and tsunamis, but Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told the people to stay calm.

How do the people in Japan cope after the quake?

More than a week after the most powerful earthquake in Japan's history struck, thousands had already died, displaced and remained missing during the coldest time of the year.

The UK's Save the Children charity estimated that as many as 100,000 children may have been displaced by the quake and tsunami.

The gigantic waves that destroyed the nuclear plant in Fukushima—as claimed by some sources—made the situation worse. The spread of radiation made many people in Japan and abroad worry about its health effects.

Nuclear scare: Over 1,000 Japanese disembark daily in Manila

Following a series of explosions at the Fukushima nuclear power plant last week, authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals have reported the increase in the arrivals of more than 1,000 Japanese citizens everyday.

In a report by the Philippine Star, the said increase in disembarkations came from various flights from Japan after their government raised the alert level to 5. Click here to see INES Alert Level Systems.

Radiation Syndrome: Who should take potassium iodide?

The nuclear scare following the Fukushima accident last week made people all over the world alarmed over the possible health risks it may bring to themselves especially the young ones and pregnant women.

It is understandable to be concerned about the situation but it is important to be equipped with the accurate information to make sound judgment and know the proper action to take if the need arises.

Japan nuclear crisis: What does Alert Level 5 mean?

Note: This rather lengthy report intends to inform and educate on the Fukushima nuclear accident. It is by no means exhaustive. I tried my best to make it understandable to the public. Kindly refer to the links provided within the report for further details.

Readings at Monitoring Post outside the 20-kilometer zone of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant on 17 March between 9:20 and 15:00 showed that the radiation to peak at reading point 32. According to the Japan's Education Ministry (MEXT), this is thought to be the result of a controlled containment venting and a simultaneous fire which carried radioactive particles inland. Click here to see the MEXT data.

Philippines: Not ready for any disasters

Located on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," like the badly-hit Japan, it is not far that the Philippines may be the next country to suffer the wrath of Nature.

How prepared are we in the Philippines?

Mga Suliranin sa Puso

Available at: Jeepney Press

Dahil ang nakaraang buwan ay dinaraos ang Valentine’s Day, narito ang ilan sa may mga suliraning pampuso.

Tanong (T): Dr. itatanong ko po sana if pwde png magamot ang butas sa puso? kasi ang babaeng pinakamamahal ko mayroon na skit na ganun :( gusto ko po siyang tulungan na mapagaling ung skit nya khit magkano po gagastos ako gumaling lang po siya help nmn po doc... please ...

Doc Gino (DG): Ang paggagamot ng butas sa puso ay depende kung ano ang sintomas ng tao at kung wala namang sintomas kahit na may butas, sa tingin ko ay hindi naman dapat galawin. Upang makatiyak, mas mainam kung siya ay magpapakonsulta sa isang "cardiologist" upang masuri nang mabuti at mabigyang-payo.

T: Dr, itatanong ko lang po kung anu ang sanhi ng pagkakaroon ng butas ng puso ang isang sangol. kc po ang anak kong babae ay 8 months na ngaun. nung 6 months po siya nalaman ko pong may butas ang puso niya. pinatingin ko po siya sa pediatric cardiologist at napaultrasound ko na ang puso nya. sabi ng doctor 2 ang butas ng puso nya, di ko po alam kung bakit siya nagkaroon ng butas sa puso, saka di naman po siya nangingitim pag umiiyak.

DG: Ang pangingitim ng sanggol sa tuwing iiyak ay isa lamang sa mga sintomas ng pagkakaroon ng butas sa puso. Mas mainam kung ikaw ay bumalik sa iyong "pediatric cargiologist" upang malaman kung ano ang naging sanhi nito para sa iyong anak.

T: ano po ang kailangan gawin pag may butas ang puso? operation po ba talaga? wala na po bang ibang way para gumaling ang bata? tanong lang po ;) salamat po.

DG: Hindi naman lahat ng butas sa puso ay nangangailangan ng operasyon. Mayroong mga kaso na kusang nagsasara. Ilan sa mga dahilan ay ang laki ng butas, lokasyon nito, at edad ng sanggol. Ipasuri ang sanggol sa isang "pediatric cardiologist" upang malaman ng mabuti ang kondisyon ng bata, at kung ano ang mga posibleng mangyari.

Guatemala to file charges vs. US on syphilis experiments

Guatemala threatens to file a class action lawsuit against the US government for intentionally infecting 700 patients with mental health illness and prisoners with two sexually-transmitted infections as part of medical experiments conducted between 1946 and 1948.

US authorities have until Friday to resolve the issue outside the court or face legal action, according to the BBC.

China rejects harmful US-made health products

Over the recent years, China has been the target of controversies with regard exporting a wide array of products deemed toxic for consumption--from melamine-tainted milk, to toys with toxic levels of lead and to medicines or pet foods containing unsafe chemicals.

WikiLeaks cables showed that in 2007, a Chinese official was privately criticized by two US Congressmen--Rep. Rick Larsen (D, Washington) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R, Illinois)--for exporting to several countries potentially poisonous products, Reuters said.