Since our last article, "PFAS Contamination of the Cape Fear Still An Issue", the Cape Fear region continues to experience high levels of "forever chemicals" in their water supply. As mentioned in previous articles, the main offender for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination is the Chemours Co. Fayetteville Works Plant. … [Read more...]
FDA Approves Drug Combination for Treating Mesothelioma
[On October 02, 2020], the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the first-line treatment of adults with malignant pleural mesothelioma that cannot be removed by surgery. This is the first drug regimen approved for mesothelioma in 16 years and the second FDA-approved systemic … [Read more...]
PFAS Contamination of the Cape Fear Still An Issue
Since 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allowed DuPont to continue to manufacture GenX in its Chemours Fayetteville Works plant, so long as the plant captures and destroys or recycles 99% of GenX emissions. However, up until the end of June 2017, the EPA made no inspections to ensure the plant was in compliance with this … [Read more...]
Most American Women Are Unaware of BIA-ALCL
Since our previous article, Allergan Aesthetics Launches Tracking Campaign for U.S. Breast Implant Patients, recent news articles report the majority of American women are unaware of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Studies on BIA-ALCL Knowledge According to a July 2020 Practice Update article, 500 women … [Read more...]
J&J settles California baby powder-cancer case in the middle of jury trial
Johnson & Johnson resolved a woman’s claims that asbestos-laced baby powder caused her cancer [ by means of a settlement during trial ] before a California jury got a chance to consider the allegations in one of dozens of cases to go to trial. Jurors in state court in Oakland heard more than two weeks’ worth of testimony in Linda O’Hagan’s … [Read more...]
An analysis of workplace exposures to asbestos at three steel mills located in the United States (1972-1982)
The objective is to present historical asbestos airborne concentrations associated with activities involving presumably asbestos-containing materials in steel mills. A total of 138 historical industrial hygiene air samples collected in three US steel mills from 1972 to 1982 were analyzed. The majority of samples were collected during relining of … [Read more...]
TGA Regulations on Breast Implant Products
Implants in Australia Back in July, health officials in Australia recommended the ban of textured implants. Our previous July 2019 article, "Textured Breast Implants Ban: Onto Australia", discussed the type of implants up for suspension by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Now in Australia, textured breast implants being … [Read more...]
Clinical Implications of Nonexpandable Lung in Mesothelioma
The presence of nonexpandable lung can be an independent predictor of mortality in mesothelioma, according to research published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Nonexpandable lung has also been linked to an increase in shortness of breath and coughing. Researchers conducted a prospective, observational cohort study of patients … [Read more...]
FDA Recalls Allergan Textured Implants
We have consistently provided updates on the situation of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in relation to textured implants. Every article prior to this one has discussed how other countries have banned textured breast implants or how the FDA has been monitoring the issue. As of July 24, 2019 the FDA has finally … [Read more...]
Actemra Drug-Induced Liver Injuries Warning From Health Canada
Actemra drug-induced liver injuries, which can be serious, life-threatening, or even fatal. This is according the Canadian drug regulatory agency, Health Canada, which issued this Dear Healthcare Professional Letter, “Important Safety Information on ACTEMRA ® (tocilizumab) – Risk of Hepatotoxicity”, on May 21, 2019. From this Health Canada … [Read more...]