Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish and
shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in
saturated fat, and contain
omega-3 fatty acids. A
well-balanced diet that
includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and
children's proper growth and development.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury. For
most people, the risk from exposure to methylmercury by eating fish and
shellfish is not a health concern. Yet some fish and shellfish contain higher
levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing
nervous system. The risks from methlymercury in fish and shellfish depend on the
amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of methylmercury in the fish.
Federal, state and local governments issue fish advisories when the fish are
unsafe to eat.
Fish Consumption Advisories - This page provides links to extensive
information on fish advisories, including advisories issued by state and local
governments and by the EPA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Fish Kids - This Web site uses interactive stories and games to teach kids
ages 8-12 about contaminants in fish and fish advisories.
What about mercury in fluorescent light bulbs
A fluorescent light bulb (also referred to as a "lamp") is a gas-discharge
bulb that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The excited mercury atoms
produce short-wave ultraviolet light that causes a phosphor to fluoresce,
producing visible light. Mercury is an essential component of all fluorescent
light bulbs, and allows these bulbs to be energy-efficient light sources.
Types of Fluorescent Bulbs
Tube: The standard straight "linear" tube comes in a variety of diameters
and lengths. For example:
The T-4 is ½ inch in diameter and often used under
kitchen cabinets.
The T-8 is 1 inch in diameter and the T-12 is 1½ inches in
diameter.
Variations include the "U-tube" bent in half to form a U-shape, and
the "circline" tube bent into a circle.
The larger-diameter tube fluorescents
are used in ceiling light fixtures.
Compact fluorescent light (CFL): This is a short bulb made of a tube about
the diameter of a pencil that has been either folded or twisted, resulting in an
overall size that rivals a standard incandescent light bulb. Since the CFL fits
into a standard light socket, the bulb and fixture design possibilities are
vastly increased over that of a fluorescent tube. CFLs are now available in a
variety of shapes, including spiral (twisted), short tube (folded over) and
globe. A globe CFL is either round or A-shaped glass that contains within it a
spiral or folded tube.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
EPA encourages Americans to use compact fluorescent lights in order to save
energy. Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to CFLs is an effective,
simple change everyone can make right now to help use less electricity at home
and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change.
Learn about CFLs – General information on Energy Star-qualified compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), where to use CFLs in a home, and how to choose
the right type of CFL bulb.
CFLs contain a very
small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. No mercury is released
when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use, but CFLs can break and release
mercury vapor if dropped or roughly handled. EPA encourages consumers to handle
and use CFLs safely. Be careful when removing the bulb from its packaging,
installing it, or replacing it. More information is provided in the
Energy Star
fact sheet: CFLs and Mercury (PDF).
If a CFL breaks in your home, please follow EPA's recommended steps to
carefully clean up and dispose of broken bulbs. These recommendations will help
to minimize any exposure to released mercury vapor.
EPA encourages the
recycling of burned out fluorescent bulbs rather than
disposing of them in regular household trash. Recycling of burned out CFLs is
one of the best ways to help prevent the release of mercury to the environment
by keeping mercury out of landfills and incinerators. Recycling of these bulbs
also allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up
fluorescent lights.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light (photophobia), increased sensitivity to sound (phonophobia), dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive disturbances, and other symptoms. Treatments for migraine headache include therapies that may or may not involve medications.
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C.). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal: rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease- producing organisms.
Toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint (TMJ), or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. A toothache can also be caused by a problem that does not originate from a tooth or the jaw, like diseases of the heart (angina or heart attack), ear infections, and sinus infections. A thorough oral examination, which includes dental X-rays, can help determine the cause.
Tremor is the involuntary movements of one or more parts of the body. Causes of tremor include neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, drugs, mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid and liver failure. There are several types of tremor. Treatment depends upon the type of tremor and availability of medications for the condition.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal. Causes of anaphylaxis can be food allergy, latex allergy, allergy to insect or but stings/bites, asthma, or other materials or conditions. Symptoms include flushing, itching, hives, anxiety, rapid or irregular pulse. Severe symptoms may be throat and tongue swelling, swallowing, and difficulty breathing. Some disorders appear similar to anaphylaxis such as fainting, panic attacks, blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, and septic shock. If you think that you may be having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency care or call 911 immedately.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
It's important to know whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby prior to delivery, as the breasts' ability to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Breast milk is easily digested by babies and contains infection-fighting antibodies and cholesterol, which promotes brain growth. Formula-fed babies actually need to eat somewhat less often since formula is less readily digested by the baby than human milk. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of feeding.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Trying to get conceive, or become pregnant can be challenging, frustrating, and an emotional rollercoaster for some couples. There are things you can do to chart progress, which may ultimately lead to a successful healthy pregnancy, or, when necessary, lead to discussions with a fertility specialist. Being aware of your menstrual cycle, charting your fertility pattern, knowing the reasons for infertility, and treating infertility are key points to discuss with your partner and physician.
Learn more about what cavities like, their symptoms, treatment and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities and how regular brushing and flossing can help.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
Kids get headaches and migraines too. Many adults with headaches started having them as kids, in fact, 20% of adult headache sufferers say their headaches started before age 10, and 50% report their headaches started before age 20.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can bring challenges like weight gain, stretch marks, varicose veins, heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids, problems sleeping, and wondering if it is safe to have sex while pregnant. Learn how to manage and move through these challenges during pregnancy.
Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
The United States National Poison Hotline is 1-800-222-1222. When you call this number you will be automatically linked to the nearest poison center in the United States. Call this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a poison expert.
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