Colored plastic plates and cups for children may seem like a practical and safe option, thanks to their ability to withstand falls, shocks, and resistance to breakage, but a study of the health risks associated with their components has raised concerns about their use, after reports revealed the possibility of a chemical used in their manufacture causing cancer and kidney and reproductive system problems.
According to the American New York Post newspaper, this substance is known as melamine, and it is an industrial chemical compound rich in nitrogen. It is used in the manufacture of types of hard plastic when combined with formaldehyde under high temperatures and pressure, resulting in a lightweight and durable plastic that is difficult to scratch, crack, or break.
This material is widely popular in the manufacture of children's tableware, due to its ease of formation in various colors, designs and shapes, in addition to its durability compared to many other materials. It is also used in the manufacture of cups, plates, bowls, dining utensils, food packaging materials and industrial coatings.
But health concerns have increased about the possibility of melamine transferring from plastic utensils to foods and drinks, which has prompted a number of countries, including Canada and the European Union, to re-evaluate its use in the tableware industry.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies melamine as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” based in part on animal studies that observed tumors in the urinary bladder in male mice exposed to high doses of the substance for long periods. However, the agency stressed that available research has not proven a direct relationship between exposure to melamine and cancer in humans. The US Environmental Protection Agency also clarified that current scientific evidence is insufficient to determine whether the substance causes cancer in humans.
The potential risks are not limited to cancer, as high levels of melamine consumption have been linked to serious kidney problems, including kidney failure. Some studies also indicate that chronic exposure to low doses may increase the risk of kidney stones in children and adults. One of the most prominent incidents that revealed the danger of this substance was the contamination of infant formula in China in 2008, when melamine was deliberately added to it, affecting more than 294,000 children, and leading to a number of them developing kidney stones, while six children died as a result of the crisis.
Despite these concerns, the US Food and Drug Administration still allows the use of melamine in some products in contact with food, noting that tests of tableware made from it showed the transfer of small amounts of the substance into food and drink, but it was much lower than the levels that the administration considers toxic. The American authority set the acceptable daily limit for melamine intake at about 0.063 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. The authority warned against placing plastic dishes and utensils in microwave ovens, unless they are explicitly written that they are safe to use in them, because high temperatures may increase the transfer of melamine to food.
Cough is a common symptom in children. It often appears with colds and viral infections, and may continue even after the rest of the symptoms disappear. Although its sound may cause anxiety, in many cases it represents a defensive response that helps the body get rid of mucus and irritants in the respiratory system. But the cough is not always simple; Its implications vary according to its nature, duration, the age of the child, and the symptoms accompanying it.
A dry cough appears without visible mucus, and may be associated with throat irritation or upper respiratory tract infection. As for a wet cough, it is accompanied by mucus or phlegm, and may result from the accumulation of secretions in the bronchi. The type of cough alone is not enough to determine the disease; The fever, breathing, and general activity of the child should be taken into account.
A barking cough may be a sign of croup, an infection of the larynx and windpipe. The child needs medical evaluation when this type of cough appears, especially if it is accompanied by an abnormal sound during breathing. As for a cough accompanied by wheezing, it may indicate narrowing of the airways, as occurs in some cases of asthma.
The danger of coughing is not related to its sound alone, but rather to the extent to which it affects breathing and the general condition of the child. Some signs require urgent medical care, most notably: difficulty or rapid breathing, blue lips, or extreme lethargy.
A recent scientific study revealed that people with type 2 diabetes who stop using weight loss injections may face twice the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or death, compared to those who continue using them. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, researchers analyzed the electronic medical records of more than 80,000 type 2 diabetes patients, from more than 300 diabetes clinics throughout Italy. All patients received weight loss injections that belong to the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wigovi. The team found that the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause was about twice as high among those who stopped treatment compared to those who continued treatment.
