Author: cassandragabbert

School Indoor Air Quality

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Spring is an important time of year to think about indoor air quality at schools. Schools can face challenges like leaks, humidity, and maintaining comfortable temperatures as the weather warms up. Pollen and mold might trigger asthma health effects in students and staff.

Tips to reduce indoor air quality issues include:

  • Addressing leaks immediately before mold growth starts
  • Completing regular maintenance on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
  • Using high efficiency filtration in HVAC and portable air cleaners

For more information on indoor air quality in schools, visit Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools | US EPA.

About Opiate Alkaloids on Poppy Seeds

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Opiate alkaloids are a group of chemicals that can be produced by the opium poppy plant. Poppy seeds themselves contain little to no opiate alkaloids, but these chemicals can be transferred to the outer surface of the seed during harvesting processes. The misuse of poppy seeds, such as consuming poppy seed “tea”, has been linked to serious adverse events, including death. In general, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not telling consumers to avoid consuming poppy seed-containing foods, but waring consumers about the misuse of poppy seeds.

For more information, visit Opiate Alkaloids on Poppy Seeds | FDA.

 

 

Yellow Oleander Warning

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The FDA is warning that certain supplements contain toxic yellow oleander. The plant is native to Mexico and contains cardiac glycosides (CGs). CGs are a class of naturally occurring steroid-like compounds, and members of this class have been in clinical use for more than 1500 years. They have been used in folk medicine as arrow poisons, abortifacients, heart tonics, emetics, and diuretics as well as in other applications. The major use of CGs today is based on their ability to inhibit the membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme, and they are regarded as an effective treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, increasing evidence has indicated the potential cytotoxic effects of CGs against various types of cancer.

For more information and a list of products containing yellow oleander, visit FDA Issues Warning About Certain Supplements Substituted with Toxic Yellow Oleander | FDA.

2026 National Poison Prevention Week

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March 15-21, 2026, is National Poison Prevention Week. This week is used to promote awareness of how to prevent and respond to poison incidents. People of all ages are at risk of poisoning, ranging from insect stings, medication overdoses, eating or touching poisonous plants, accidental exposure to household cleaners, or recreational drugs. The Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) provides free 24/7 emergency services to residents or physicians dealing with poisonous exposures.

Virginia has two poison center locations, the Virginia Poison Center and the Blue Ridge Poison Center that  have specially trained staff answering calls to provide assistance and treatment. If the poisoning is serious, the call center will refer the caller to the nearest health care facility equipped to handle poisonings.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month

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February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Many choices can be made every day to help lower the risk of cancer. Ways to lower cancer risk include avoiding tobacco and alcohol, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and protecting skin from the sun. According to a study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, cigarette smoking was by far the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths. Tobacco smoke is made up of thousands of chemicals, many of which are known to cause cancer. Avoiding exposure to cancer causing chemicals can help reduce the risk of developing cancer.

For more information, visit:

Chemicals and Cancer | American Cancer Society

Ways to Prevent Cancer – Prevent Cancer Foundation

Cancer Risk and Prevention | Cancer Causes | Stay Healthy | American Cancer Society

Pediatric Nicotine Ingestions

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In the last five years, the popularity of nicotine pouches and the cases of accidental pediatric nicotine pouch ingestions have risen significantly. From 2020-2023 there was a 763% increase in pediatric nicotine pouch exposure. Pouches usually contain between 12-15 mg of nicotine and are often not in child-resistant containers. Ingesting that level of nicotine can lead to severe toxicity in children 5 and under. The toxic effects range from nausea and vomiting to seizure, coma, and even death. Over half of children who ingest nicotine products have no reported effect or minor effects (56.4%) from the ingestion according to cases reported in the NPDS from the U.S. poison centers. Previously used nicotine pouches still contain residual nicotine and can lead to serious health effects if ingested by a child, highlighting the importance of storing the pouches out of reach or in child-resistant containers.

For help during a poison emergency call the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information:

Radon Awareness Week

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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is observing Radon Awareness Week during January 26th through January 30th 2026. This week emphasizes the dangers of radon as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Radon is naturally occurring and can leak into homes from cracks or gaps in floors or walls. Testing a house for radon is the only way to know if there is an indoor radon problem. Radon test kits for Virginians can be purchased for a discounted price at https://www.vdhradon.org/.

For more information, visit:

CDC Radon Awareness Week: https://www.cdc.gov/radon/index.html

VDH Indoor Radon Program: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/radiological-health/indoor-radon-program/

 

Winter Storms: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks

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Many areas around the country lose power due to winter storms. As a result, families resort to using risky alternatives for heat and preparing meals making January the deadliest month for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that is produced when fuel is burned. Common sources of CO include automobiles, wood stoves, fireplaces, and furnaces.  

To keep you and your family safe, place portable power generators outdoors in a well-ventilated spot, at least 20 feet away from your home. Do not use grills or camping stoves inside your home. Make sure to pull cars out of the garage when warming up the engine and install CO detectors on every level of your home. 

If you have questions, you can contact the Blue Ridge Poison Center day or night at 1-800-222-1222.  

FDA Recall: “Modern Warrior Ready” Dietary Supplement

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All lots of “Modern Warrior Ready”, a dietary supplement from Modern Warrior, are being recalled due to the presence of undeclared ingredients. Tianeptine, 1,4-DMAA, and aniracetam are a few of the undeclared ingredients found in the supplement. Tianeptine can cause health effects including suicide ideation, confusion, seizures, drowsiness, and shortness of breath. Use of 1,4-DMAA can lead to elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.

For more information on the FDA recall, visit https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/modern-warrior-recalls-modern-warrior-ready-dietary-supplement-due-undeclared-14-dmaa-and-aniracetam?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Bottle of "Modern Warrior Ready" from FDA recallPhoto of “Modern Warrior Ready” from FDA recall

EPA to Regulate Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals

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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces intent to regulate dozens of uses of five phthalate chemicals to protect workers and the environment. The five phthalate chemicals that EPA plans to regulate include Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Dicyclohexyl Phthalate (DCHP), Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP), and Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP) which are commonly used to make plastics more flexible. Risks associated with the use of these chemicals include worker exposure from inhalation during manufacturing and spray applications. Other risks include environmental concerns for fish and other aquatic life and health impacts including hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption.

For more information on phthalate, see https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/phthalates.