Health
Pursuant to state law, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has unveiled a searchable Web site that allows the public to learn whether cosmetic products have been reported to contain any ingredients known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
“This Web site is a unique, searchable database that lets consumers make informed decisions about cosmetic use,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer.
Visitors to the Web site, http://www.safecosmeticsact.org/search/ , will be able to search the California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP) Product Database by product name, company name or chemical ingredient.
As of November 2013, approximately 475 companies had submitted product information on roughly 30,000 products to CDPH’s California Safe Cosmetics Program.
The Web site also includes educational information to help users learn how exposure to chemicals can affect their health and what is known about specific chemicals.
“Inclusion in this Web site means a product contains a chemical that has been identified as a known or suspected carcinogen or reproductive toxin by one of the authoritative bodies named in the Safe Cosmetics Act such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer or the National Toxicology Program,’’ said Chapman. “It does not mean that the cosmetic product itself has been shown to cause cancer, but since most products are not extensively tested for safety, providing information on chemical components will allow consumers to make more informed choices.”
The CSCP created this Web site to make information reported by cosmetics companies under the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005 publically available.
The act requires cosmetics companies to report to the California Safe Cosmetics Program if their products are sold in California, the company has more than $1 million per year in aggregate cosmetic sales, and products containing any chemical ingredient that has been found to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
Product reporting is required regardless of the amount of the reportable chemical in the product. Inclusion of a product in the reporting database does not necessarily mean the product has been shown to cause harm.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Flu season is here and more and more people across the country are getting sick.
The American Red Cross urges people to get vaccinated now and offers tips everyone can follow to help prevent the spread of the flu.
The most important step someone can take is to get a flu vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older.
Other steps people can take to help prevent the spread of the flu virus:
- Stay home if sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If that’s not possible, cough or sneeze into the elbow, not the hands. People with the flu can spread it to others about six feet away through coughs and sneezes.
- Wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand-rub.
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
“If someone has the flu they should avoid contact with others as much as possible,” said Kristie Fry, regional communications officer, California Northwest Region. “Everyone should also disinfect surfaces used commonly such as door knobs, switches, phones, computers and remote controls.”
The common signs of influenza are high fever, severe body aches, headache, being extremely tired, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting and/or diarrhea (more common in children).
If someone thinks they have the flu, their health care provider should be consulted.
Someone should seek medical care immediately if they develop any of the following symptoms:
- Fast breathing, trouble breathing or bluish skin color.
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen (adults).
- Confusion or sudden dizziness.
- Not drinking enough fluids, not being able to eat, or severe or persistent vomiting.
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
- Children – not waking up, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held or not interacting. Fever with a rash. No tears when crying or significantly fewer wet diapers than normal.
More information about influenza and how to help stop the spread of the flu virus is available on www.redcross.org .
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