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With the holiday season approaching, a Cornell environmental analyst has made an illuminating discovery: Many Christmas light sets contain such high levels of lead that they exceed limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for windowsills or floors.

"Whether exposure to lead in Christmas lights affects blood lead levels in humans is unknown, though research increasingly shows that any exposure to lead – especially by children – is hazardous to health in that it is implicated in a wide range of health concerns," says Joseph Laquatra, a professor of design and environmental analysis in Cornell's College of Human Ecology, who led the study. "No standards exist for lead content in this product, and no protocols exist for conducting tests on it."

The study, conducted with Lelia M. Coyne, a chemist and certified lead risk assessor in Lincoln, Neb., and Mark R. Pierce, a Cornell extension associate in Laquatra's department, is published in the December issue of Journal of Environmental Health.

Researchers tested the lead levels of 10 sets of indoor/outdoor Christmas lights, some recently purchased in Nebraska and New York, others from the 1970s. The researchers found detectable levels of lead in all of them; and all were above EPA/HUD regulatory limits for equivalent areas of windowsills and floors. They also found no significant differences in lead levels among manufacturers, year of purchase or how many years the lights had been used.

Lead is used in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) jacketing of the Christmas light cords to prevent them from cracking or crumbling and to make them resistant to heat, light and moisture damage, says Laquatra. Lead makes up 2 to 5 percent of PVC jacketing in different types of wires.

While some products are starting to have warning labels, there is no coordinated drive to encourage manufacturers to pursue alternatives, Laquatra says. "Consumers should be aware that lead is in all appliance cords," he says, noting that although American manufacturers have been moving away from using lead as a PVC stabilizer in the last five years, at present there is no way to know how much lead exists in jacketing or in various products without independent testing.

When it comes to Christmas lights, the researchers point out that lead could be ingested from hand-to-mouth contact after handling the lights; lead also can be released into the air during installation and removal. The researchers recommend that children not handle Christmas lights, and that anyone who does should wash their hands immediately after handling.

(11-25-08)

For many Americans the loveable black lab or tabby cat is considered a member of the family. And while being environmentally responsible is something that is often expected from your human family members, why should Fido be exempt? Eco-savvy entrepreneur, green business author and eco-chic lifestyle expert Kim Carlson offers these fast facts to help reduce your pet's carbon paw print:

• Go Gourmet – Most pet food found at the grocery store is created from 4D meat, otherwise known as "Dead, Dying, Diseased or Down (Disabled)." This is often unhygienic and unhealthy. Swap the generic chow-chow for natural and organic pet foods that use meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones.
• The Scoop on Poop – In a perfect world, all animal feces would make it into a compost where it could decompose or act as fertilizer. Now city-dwellers also have an eco-friendly option: scoop your dog's doo into a biodegradable bag so it isn't immortalized in a plastic bag at the local landfill for the next century to find. Find your feline some eco-friendly litter. Not only is it better for the environment but it's better for Fluffy's little lungs, which can be coated with carcinogenic silica dust found in most clay litters.
• Before All That – When deciding to get a pet, make sure you choose one from the local adoption or rescue center. There are more than 70,000 unwanted and homeless pets in animal shelters nationwide. Waiting for a pure breed animal can be risky and expensive. In addition, these breeders often only have two goals in mind: to make more animals and get more money. As a result, they often overbreed, inbreed, offer poor veterinary insight and dreadful food and living conditions.
• On a Tight Leash – While it's tempting to let your pets run wild, it's better for the environment around you if you keep your dog on a leash and your cat indoors. This will reduce the damage your rambunctious puppy will cause to the flora and fauna and will limit the number of birds your cat brings to you as its new chew toy.

(11-25-08)

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation proudly announces the birth of a healthy female Asian elephant – marking the 21st birth in what is already the most successful Asian elephant breeding program in the Western Hemisphere.

The calf – named Sundara, which means "beautiful" in Hindi – was born on November 9, 7:15 p.m. at 310 pounds, and is an offspring of 39-year-old Sally and 35-year-old Charlie. Sally has given birth before as part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey breeding program. The young elephant has four other siblings, two of which were born at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation – Kelly Ann, now 12 years old, and Rudy, who is 6 years old, both touring with The Greatest Show On Earth®.

"There are fewer then 35,000 Asian elephants remaining in the world and these magnificent animals are struggling to survive so each elephant born at Ringling Bros. is a celebratory step toward the preservation of the species," says Kenneth Feld, founder of Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation. "Since 1992, 21 elephants have been born into Ringling Bros. care and that is a lifetime commitment that we take very seriously." (11-25-08)

In a report now available online and scheduled to be the cover story of the December 2008 issue of the Journal of Urology, University of Virginia Health System researcher Dr. John C. Herr and his colleagues have confirmed the accuracy and reliability of SpermCheck Vasectomy, the first FDA approved at-home immunodiagnostic test for detecting low concentrations of sperm.

Dr. Herr, a professor of cell biology and director of UVA's Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, discovered and patented the biomarker on which SpermCheck is based. The newly reported research consisted of a clinical trial and consumer study.

In the clinical trial, researchers used SpermCheck to evaluate a cohort of 144 post-vasectomy semen samples. The test achieved an accuracy rate of 96 percent in identifying whether sperm counts were greater or less than a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml – a level associated with little or no risk of causing pregnancy. SpermCheck proved to be 100 percent accurate in identifying whether sperm counts were greater or less than 384,000 sperm per ml.

According to the World Health Organization Manual on Semen Analysis, normal sperm counts range from 20,000,000/ml to as high as 200,000,000/ml. When the count is below 1,000,000/ml, there is only a remote chance of achieving pregnancy without assisted reproductive techniques such as intra-uterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection.

"SpermCheck Vasectomy is similar in size and function to a women's home pregnancy test," Dr. Herr says. "It's designed to help couples monitor and confirm that post-vasectomy sperm concentrations have reached infertile levels and avoid any surprises if recanalization occurs."

(11-25-08)

Many children have a new bicycle on their holiday wish lists. AAA reminds consumers that selecting the right size bike for children is critical to keeping them safe.

While holiday shoppers may be wooed by great bargains on bicycles during Black Friday sales, AAA warns that no matter how enticing the holiday sale, it's not worth putting a child in danger if the bicycle is not the proper size. Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product besides the automobile.

"The biggest mistake consumers make when selecting a child's bicycle is purchasing one too large and thinking the child will grow into it," says Jennifer Huebner, manager, AAA Traffic Safety Programs. "Parents would not put shoes five sizes too big on a child, because it would be difficult and dangerous to run and play. The same principle applies to bicycles. Oversized bikes are difficult for children to control and safely ride in addition to being uncomfortable."

Fit the Bike to the Child: To determine if a bicycle is the proper size, the child should be able to sit on the seat and balance the bicycle with the balls of both feet touching the ground without leaning to one side or the other. If the bicycle seat is in the lowest position, and a child cannot touch both feet to the ground, the bike is too large to be ridden safely.

Surprise Gift? Don't Guess the Size – Measure: It's best to have children sit on bikes prior to purchase to ensure they are the appropriate, safe size. But during the holiday season, children's bikes are frequently given as surprises. Consumers should not guess which bike size is correct. Instead, hit the holiday sales with the child's measurements and a tape measure in hand.

Before heading out to the stores, measure the child's inseam to the ground. When shopping, measure the distance from the top horizontal bar to the ground. This measurement should be an inch or two shorter than the child's inseam. When looking at girl's bikes, measure to where the top bar would be if it was designed like a boy's bicycle.

Be Sure to Brake for Safety: Size is not the only safety factor to consider. Children's bicycles typically have either hand brakes or coaster brakes (engaged when pedaling backwards). Avoid purchasing bikes with hand brakes for younger children. Wait until they develop greater strength in their hands and wrists and have large enough hands to easily engage the hand brake – which should occur around age 10.

Don't Forget a Helmet: Children should always wear a bicycle helmet when cycling, and it is required by law in many areas. Head injuries are a leading cause of death in bicycle crashes, but properly wearing a bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent, according to the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration.

Just as children's bikes must be sized correctly for safety, so should their helmets. It's best for a child to try on a helmet before purchasing it, but if that's not possible, measure around the child's head at the forehead to determine which size helmet to purchase. Also, make sure the helmet is approved by looking for an ANSI or Snell Foundation sticker on the inside.

Before children take off on their new bikes, helmets must be fit properly to their heads. Helmets should sit level and low on the forehead with two finger-widths' space between the eyebrows and helmet. If the helmet is slightly large, insert the extra padding provided with the helmet. Straps should be adjusted to center the left buckle under the chin, have the side straps form a "V" shape under and slightly in front of the ears and provide a snug fit with only one or two fingers able to fit under the chin strap.

Be Ready for Safety on the Big Day: When the big day arrives and children receive their new bikes, the first thing many will want to do is take it out for a ride. Make sure it is ready to go by double checking that it's put together securely and additional safety equipment, such as training wheels, horns or lights, have been installed correctly in a safe location. Provide instruction to beginner cyclists away from traffic in a safe area, and take time to remind experienced cyclists of safety rules. AAA has safe bicycling tips available on the AAA Exchange at AAA.com/PublicAffairs.

(11-25-08)

Looking for some quick ways to save money at home this holiday season? Here are 5 easy steps everyone can take from Pur Water Filters:

1. Stop buying bottled water. Instead use a reusable bottle with water filtered by PUR Water. This small change can save one person up to $600 every year. And you'll feel better knowing your family is getting the cleanest water possible.

2. Turn your thermostat down. Decreasing the temperature of your house by one degree can save you up to $100 a year.

3. Wash your clothes in cold water. Ninety percent of the energy used for washing clothes is spent on heating the water. Using cold water can save you up to $65 per year.

4. Buy food with less packaging. If just one out of the 10 products you bought had little or no packaging, it could save you up to $30 annually.

5. Drive the speed limit. Most cars get the maximum miles per gallon at speeds between 45 and 60 miles per hour. So driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph is like paying an additional $1.50 for every gallon of gas you buy.

(11-25-08)

Physicians say adults should imitate children when it comes to getting enough rest. "Children go to bed when they're tired," says Dr. Nilesh Dave, medical director of the Sleep and Breathing Disorders Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Just like children don't get in the bed to play, adults shouldn't read, work, watch television or use their laptop while in bed, Dr. Dave says. "The bed should only be used for two things: sleep and sex," he says.

Bad bedtime habits could lead to insomnia, which has been associated with depression, anxiety, chronic pain and high blood pressure. Drowsiness from insomnia can affect concentration, work performance, quality of life and driving alertness.

(11-25-08)

Name of Product: Insulated Black-Out Roller Shades and Insulated Roman Shades

Manufacturer: Green Mountain Vista Inc., of Williston, Vt. They were manufactured in China.

Hazard: The black-out roller shades and insulated roman shades have a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the blind, posing a fatal strangulation hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC received a report of a 2-year-old girl from Bristol, Conn., who suffered a near strangulation June 2008, when she placed a loose bead cord loop around her neck and then slipped off the radiator where she was standing. Her 5-year-old brother lifted his sister, who was gasping for air, from the cord entanglement. She vomited and had deep neck bruising, but has since recovered from her injuries.

Description: This recall includes all insulated black-out roller shades (colors: white, cream, harvest, light sage) and insulated Roman shades sizes 48, 60 and 72 (colors: white, natural, sage, sienna, blue, goldenrod, mahogany, terracotta). The shades have RN number 107875 printed on the care label of the shade and identify the manufacturer on the "Installation and Care Instructions."

Sold at: Country Curtains, Plow & Hearth, The Linen Source, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, Ann & Hope, The Sportsman's Guide, Target.com, The Curtain Shop of Maine, and Solutions Catalog. Sold nationwide from June 2005 through September 2008 for between $60 and $200.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached. If not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Green Mountain Vista Inc. to receive a free repair kit. If the consumer is not able to install the tensioning device, contact Green Mountain Vista for further instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Green Mountain Vista at (800) 639- 1728 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.gmvista.com.

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. (11-25-08)

Name of Product: IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa. They were manufactured in India.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck in an exposed inner cord on the backside of the roman blinds.

Incidents/Injuries: On April 4, 2008, a 1-year-old girl in Greenwich, Conn., became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman Blind and strangled. The child was in a portable playpen that was located underneath a fully lowered roman blind. She was found partially suspended with the inner cord of the blind wrapped twice around her neck.

Description: This recall involves all sizes of IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds in white. The blinds have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (IRIS or ALVINE), 5-digit supplier number 19799 or 21369, four digit date stamp (YYWW) and the words "Made in India". On the bottom edge of the blind there is a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label. The blinds are made from 100% cotton.

Sold at: IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through June 2008 for between $7 and $30.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman Blinds and return them to any IKEA store to obtain a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ikea-usa.com.

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. (11-25-08)

Scientists announced at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting in San Francisco that they can freeze and transplant ovaries, thus preserving fertility in women battling cancer.

Researchers reported that they transplanted an ovary from one identical twin to another, allowing the one twin to conceive a year after the transplant. The researchers also found that they can freeze ovaries of women about to lose their fertility and then transplant them back later – and the ovaries did not age.

(11-18-08)