The City of Melbourne and the inner suburbs plane trees are adding to this season’s allergy and respiratory conditions. The trees not only give off pollens but also minute, hairy fibres which can lodge in the airway, irritate eyes and exacerbate hayfever symptoms. They are known as trichome fibres occurring mainly through the warmer months. […]
As an expectant mother, you've probably heard more than your fair share of advice from helpful parents, friends and relatives. For example, your mother-in-law may insist that you breastfeed. Or your cousin might recommend napping whenever your baby does. But as your due date draws closer, you may start to worry if you need more than […]
You love the growth and renewal that comes with spring. Flowers bloom and trees blossom. And with this growth comes pollen-and lots of it. So it's no wonder that when spring arrives, you start to feel more tired, ill and even irritable. Pollen fills the air and your lungs, and makes it difficult for you […]
Independent testing by Transport and Environment, a Brussels based advocacy group, shows that cars are failing to meet emissions rules in real driving situations. The Volkswagen scandal has raised concern amongst regulators that their tests are ineffective and so new testing is being devised involving the Transport and Environment group. In focus are deadly nitrogen […]
It is a common misconception that pet allergies come from pet hair. In fact, most allergies originate from pet dander, or the dead skin cells of the animal which occur when the animal licks itself and the dried saliva disintegrates into microscopic particles which are breathable. Even though heavier pet hairs are difficult to remove […]
Nurses who are exposed to cleaning products, antiseptics and disinfectants in hospitals are 70 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with asthma, research has found. By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor3:16PM GMT 19 Jan 2009 Researchers in America found chemicals in wards run by nurses which could irritate the lungs including cleansers and antiseptics used […]
Harvard University experts have found that pregnant women exposed to high levels of air pollution are twice as likely to have a child with autism. The findings are published in Environmental Health Persectives journal. It found that women exposed to high levels of deisel particulates or mercury had double the risk. When pollutants included lead, […]
A new study has found even low level exposure to traffic fumes can increase the risk of cancer. 313,000 people were measured with their local pollution levels and cancer rates over 9 European countries. Over a 13 year follow up period, 2095 of these developed lung cancer. The chances of cancer increased with higher exposure […]
New HEI Report on Exposure to Traffic finds evidence of health effects in children near major roads
Studies have found poor air quality can worsen lung and heart disease. The research focused on "PM 2.5" pollution - which measured levels of tiny particles with a diameter one-twentieth of the width of a human hair. These fine particles can travel deeply into the lungs, and have been linked with the worsening of asthma […]
