Please check the peanut butter and peanut butter products in your kitchen. As a result of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection into Salmonella outbreaks, it has recalled peanut butter and products containing peanut butter from several companies within the last two weeks. Some of the recalls include products made by Wal-Mart, Meijer, Trader Joe’s, and more. You and your patrons can search for Peanut Butter Product Recalls and download all recalled products (updated almost daily) into Excel and/or PDF format to post in your library. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the case count is now 488 in 43 states with the latest reported illness beginning on January 8, 2009. You can access a map of the outbreak via the CDC’s Investigation Update. See also the CDC and FDA recommendations for consumers. The American Peanut Council provides a list of peanut butter brands NOT affected by the FDA recall. The Indiana State Health Department also keeps a list of Recalls and Advisories. More information on Salmonella can be found at the government websites below.
Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak (updated almost daily): http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html
CDC, General Information about Salmonella: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/
USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service: Salmonella: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/salmonella_questions_&_answers/index.asp
FDA Bad Bug Book: Salmonella: http://www.foodsafety.gov/~mow/chap1.html
NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH
The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. Radon is the natural breakdown of uranium in water, soil, and rock. It is usually diluted outside, but indoors it can reach high levels. It is the second-most leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is therefore important to get your house tested for it. Testing is easy and inexpensive. One way to do this is to get your own test kit. You can do this by obtaining and filling out a coupon from the National Safety Council. Indiana residents can also contact the State Department of Health or the Radon Program, which is a part of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. For other Indiana organizations that can help, visit the EPA’s Where You Live webpage on Indiana.
The EPA recommends four steps throughout Radon Action Month: 1) Test your home; 2) Attend a National Radon Action Month in your area; 3) Spread the word; and 4) Buy a radon-resistant home.
To find more about the effects of radon, visit Medline Plus’ website. They provide links to information about cancer and other health risks, as well as several journal articles that contain more in-depth information. You can also visit the EPA’s A Citizen’s Guide to Radon, an online publication that includes background information on radon and tips on how to deal with it.
National Radon Action Month: http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/
Coupon: http://downloads.nsc.org/pdf/Coupon2008.pdf
National Safety Council: http://www.nsc.org/
Indiana State Department of Health: http://www.in.gov/isdh/24346.htm
IDEM Radon Program: http://www.in.gov/idem/4145.htm
EPA Where You Live: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/states/indiana.html
Medline Plus Radon Page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/radon.html
A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
REVAMP OF WHITEHOUSE.GOV
A new President in the White House means a new version of www.whitehouse.gov. The new website features a daily blog and links to upcoming weekly video addresses. Like the previous administration’s website, it has links to important items on the Presidential Agenda and information about members of the administration. The new website also includes a slideshow of all of the United States Presidents. Another feature of the site is White House 101, which includes Fun Facts about the White House and pictures and information about White House pets.
To see an interesting visual comparison between the new version of the website and the old one, visit this screen shot.
White House 101: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/white_house_101/
Comparison of websites: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fimoculous/3213257378/sizes/o/
NATIONAL BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION MONTH
There are ways that we can all help to increase awareness of prevention of birth defects. One way that women can prevent birth defects is to take 400 micrograms of Folic Acid per day before and during pregnancy. This B vitamin has been proven to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida and anencephaly. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, “The best way to get 100 percent of the daily requirement is to take a multi-vitamin or folic acid supplement, which can be found at any drugstore or by eating a cereal fortified with 100 percent folic acid.” Please visit the Centers for Disease Control Preventing Birth Defects website. See the Indiana Department of Health’s Folic Acid website for Educators to find lesson plans, flyers, and posters in English and Spanish.
National Birth Defects Awareness Month, press release: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5753a1.htm
Indiana State Department of Health, Folic Acid Home Page: http://www.in.gov/isdh/19109.htm
Resources: http://www.in.gov/isdh/19111.htm
National Birth Defects Prevention Network: http://www.nbdpn.org/current/resources/bdpm2009.html
BRRRRRR!!! IT’S COLD!
Indiana and the rest of the nation have been experiencing dangerously cold weather in recent weeks. Do you know how to protect yourself and your family from cold weather-related emergencies? The Indiana State Department of Health has several Health Tips for Cold Weather Safety. Winter in Indiana can be beautiful, but be careful while enjoying your favorite cold weather activities. When outside, remember to wear the following items: a hat or hood; sleeves that are snug at the wrist; mittens (they’re warmer than gloves); water-resistant coat and boots; and several layers of loose fitting clothing. These tips can help guard against injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia.
If you are indoors and have to rely on alternate sources of heat, please follow some of these tips: make sure fireplaces, wood stoves, and other combustion heaters are properly ventilated; never leave lit candles unattended; eat well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer. For these and other cold-weather solutions, feel free to visit these other sites for cold weather safety tips and advice.
Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Winter Weather Safety & Preparedness: http://www.in.gov/dhs/3041.htm
Indiana Department of Transportation, Winter Driving Safety: http://www.in.gov/indot/7261.htm
Indiana State Police, Road Conditions: http://www.in.gov/isp/2332.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Winter Weather: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/
by Katharine Springer & Elisabeth O’Donnell