Our Mission is to bring complex scientific reports on health and the environment to the reach of non-specialists.
We publish clear and faithful summaries of existing scientific reports on environmental and health topics. http://www.greenfacts.org
We publish clear and faithful summaries of existing scientific reports on environmental and health topics. http://www.greenfacts.org
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- Founded:
- 2001
GreenFacts
Can the use of biocides give rise to antibiotic resistant bacteria?
Today, bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and there is scientific evidence that the use and misuse of biocides such as disinfectants, antiseptics, or preservatives can contribute to antibiotic resistance. If and how this ...might occur has been explored in the recent opinion on "Antibiotic Resistance Effects of Biocides" by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) of the European Commission.
Biocides are added to many consumer goods such as cosmetics and detergents to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. They are widely used in animal husbandry, food production and health care.
According to the SCENIHR report, biocide use could pose a direct threat to human health if it leads to the survival of some harmful bacteria which are resistant to antimicrobial products. Even the emergence of harmless resistant bacteria could pose
Can indirect threat, since their genes that confer resistance might be transferred to harmful bacteria.
To safeguard our ability to treat infections with antibiotics, a good hygiene to prevent infection and the appropriate use of biocides are crucial.
Different biocides act in different ways and some are more likely to lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria than others.
The risk of spreading resistant genes depends on the type of bacteria involved. Bacteria that grow as a biofilm attached to a surface are particularly able to survive hostile conditions and pose a high risk of resistance to both antibiotics and biocides.
For further details read the full GreenFacts summary on the Effects of Biocides on Antibiotic Resistance.Read More
Today, bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and there is scientific evidence that the use and misuse of biocides such as disinfectants, antiseptics, or preservatives can contribute to antibiotic resistance. If and how this ...might occur has been explored in the recent opinion on "Antibiotic Resistance Effects of Biocides" by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) of the European Commission.
Biocides are added to many consumer goods such as cosmetics and detergents to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. They are widely used in animal husbandry, food production and health care.
According to the SCENIHR report, biocide use could pose a direct threat to human health if it leads to the survival of some harmful bacteria which are resistant to antimicrobial products. Even the emergence of harmless resistant bacteria could pose
Can indirect threat, since their genes that confer resistance might be transferred to harmful bacteria.
To safeguard our ability to treat infections with antibiotics, a good hygiene to prevent infection and the appropriate use of biocides are crucial.
Different biocides act in different ways and some are more likely to lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria than others.
The risk of spreading resistant genes depends on the type of bacteria involved. Bacteria that grow as a biofilm attached to a surface are particularly able to survive hostile conditions and pose a high risk of resistance to both antibiotics and biocides.
For further details read the full GreenFacts summary on the Effects of Biocides on Antibiotic Resistance.Read More
Source: copublications.greenfacts.org
The answers to these questions are a faithful summary of the scientific opinion produced in 2009 by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR): 'Assessment of the Antibiotic Resistance Effects of Biocides (2009)'
GreenFacts
Flu season – second wave of the H1N1 influenza virus
According to a recent announcement by the
WHO, the H1N1 influenza virus is now the dominant influenza strain in
most parts of the world and in the northern hemisphere to prepare for a
second wave of pandemic spread.
To date, there are no signs that the virus has mutated t...o a more
virulent or lethal form.
The overwhelming majority of patients continue to experience mild
illness. Although the virus can cause very severe and fatal illness,
also in young and healthy people, the number of such cases remains
small.
How is H1N1 different from seasonlal influenza?
To date, most severe cases and deaths have occurred in adults under
the age of 50 years, with deaths in the elderly comparatively rare.
This age distribution is in stark contrast with seasonal influenza,
where around 90% of severe and fatal cases occur in people 65 years of
age or older.
Perhaps most significantly, a very severe form of disease is also
observed in young and otherwise healthy people, which is rarely seen
during seasonal influenza infections. In these patients, the virus
directly infects the lung, causing severe respiratory failure. Saving
these lives depends on highly specialized and demanding care in
intensive care units, usually with long and costly stays.
The WHO provides information on how to best prepare for and respond to
the pandemic:Read More
According to a recent announcement by the
WHO, the H1N1 influenza virus is now the dominant influenza strain in
most parts of the world and in the northern hemisphere to prepare for a
second wave of pandemic spread.
To date, there are no signs that the virus has mutated t...o a more
virulent or lethal form.
The overwhelming majority of patients continue to experience mild
illness. Although the virus can cause very severe and fatal illness,
also in young and healthy people, the number of such cases remains
small.
How is H1N1 different from seasonlal influenza?
To date, most severe cases and deaths have occurred in adults under
the age of 50 years, with deaths in the elderly comparatively rare.
This age distribution is in stark contrast with seasonal influenza,
where around 90% of severe and fatal cases occur in people 65 years of
age or older.
Perhaps most significantly, a very severe form of disease is also
observed in young and otherwise healthy people, which is rarely seen
during seasonal influenza infections. In these patients, the virus
directly infects the lung, causing severe respiratory failure. Saving
these lives depends on highly specialized and demanding care in
intensive care units, usually with long and costly stays.
The WHO provides information on how to best prepare for and respond to
the pandemic:Read More
Source: www.who.int
Recent updates Measures in school settings11 September 2009 Preparing for the second wave: lessons from current outbreaks28 August 2009 Weekly Epidemiological Record on Pandemic H1N1 2009 Situation updates(Last update 11 September 2009)
GreenFacts Are mobile phones safe? Safety limits have been set by the European Union for the protection of workers and the general public against the effects of mobile phones and other electromagnetic fields. Are these safety limits adequate in the light of recent scientific evidence?
Source: copublications.greenfacts.org
The answers to these questions are a faithful summary of the scientific opinion produced in 2009 by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR): 'Health ...
GreenFacts Every year, more than 100 000 monkeys and apes are used in research around the world. Their similarities to humans make them suitable candidates for testing new drugs and for studying infectious diseases or the brain. But those similarities also raise ethical questions. Are there alternatives to the use of primates in research and testing? Would it be feasible to stop using them altogether?
Source: copublications.greenfacts.org
The answers to these questions are a faithful summary of the scientific opinion produced in 2009 by the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER): 'The need for non-human primates ...
GreenFacts
Currently, conventional incandescent lamps are being replaced with more energy-efficient lamps. Fluorescent light has been used for many years in overhead fluorescent tubes without causing any problems.
Nevertheless, certain “light sensitive” citizens’ associations have voiced concerns about compact fluorescent lamps. Do these energy-saving lamps aggravate the symptoms in patients with certain diseases?
Source: copublications.greenfacts.org
The answers to these questions are a faithful summary of the scientific opinion produced in 2008 by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR): 'Light ...
GreenFacts
In coming years, the world’s energy consumption is expected to increase dramatically. Could biofuels derived from forestry products and residues help meet the energy demand?
Indeed, while fossil fuels will remain a important source of energy, renewable energies will also gain importance, as a result of concerns over high fossil fuel prices, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and energy import dependence...
Source: www.greenfacts.org
This Digest is a faithful summary of the leading scientific consensus report produced in 2008 by the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO): 'Forests and Energy, Key Issues'
GreenFacts
Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and a great public health problem worldwide. About one million people die each year from malaria, and half of the world's population lives in areas where there is a risk of getting the disease through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
What is being done to control its spread?
Can malaria be eradicated?
Source: www.greenfacts.org
This Digest is a faithful summary of the leading scientific consensus report produced in 2008 by the World Health Organization (WHO): 'World Malaria Report (2008)'
GreenFacts
Some school supplies, such as erasers, contain phthalates – substances that are added to plastics to make them soft. Can regularly chewing on such articles cause harmful health effects?
The answers to these questions are a faithful summary of the scientific opinion produced in 2008 by the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER):"Opinion on phthalates in school supplies"
Source: copublications.greenfacts.org
The answers to these questions are a faithful summary of the scientific opinion produced in 2008 by the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER): 'Opinion on phthalates in school ...
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