The Poison Terminator: Recent Episodes
Carlo de Olim
Carlo de Olim BSc. MSc. will discuss with his guests ways to kick out those harmful substances out of your daily life. We plan to have guests who are experts working in poison control centres, universities, and governmental agencies. This podcast will empower you to take actions to protect your own health and that of your loved ones. Cover art photo by http://instagram.com/wistomsin
High demand for a chemical product in short supply creates a perfect storm for accidental poisoning exposures according to a New Jersey Poison Control Center advisory. Dr. Diane Calello, MD tells us in this episode how these incidents can occur. She also give us prevention tips. Dr. Calello is the medical and executive director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center.
Podcast notes
New Jersey Poison Control Center website
https://www.njpies.org/
Poison Center phone number (US)
1-800-222-1222
NJ Poison Control Center online chat
https://www.njpies.org/online-chat/
Canadian Poison Centers phone number (Different number for each province)
https://safemedicationuse.ca/tools_resources/poison_centres.html
The majority of recreational water outbreaks occur in public pools, hot tubs or water playgrounds according to a recent CDC report. We discuss the causes and how to reduce the occurrence of Legionella and Cryptosporidium in treated recreational waters with Michele Hlavsa, MPH of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Podcast notes
Michele Hlavsa is the chief of the CDC's Healthy Swimming Program. She has a BSc in Nursing from the College of New Jersey and a Master of Public Health from Emory University.
Interesting links
CDC Healthy Swimming Program: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/index.html
Article: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7020a1.htm
Model Aquatic Health Code: https://www.cdc.gov/mahc/index.html
12 Steps for the prevention of recreational water illnesses: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/aquatics-professionals/twelve-steps-for-prevention-rwi.html
Toolkit for controlling Legionella: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/wmp/control-toolkit/index.html
Disinfection of hot tubs containing Legionella: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/downloads/hot-tub-disinfection.pdf
Winter is coming soon. This means we will be spending more time indoors. We've invited Dr. Miriam Diamond of the University of Toronto to talk about ways to improve indoor air quality and to reduce the health impacts of indoor air contaminants.
Show notes
10m55s VOCs are volatile organic compounds. These substances are contained in building materials, cigarette, cleaning products, air fresheners, glues and moth repellants. People can be exposed to these compounds through inhaling VOC gases or skin contact with products that contain these chemicals. VOCs can induce nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache and irritation of the respiratory system and eyes. Long term exposure to these compounds is associated with cancer, kidney and liver problems.
Source: https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
If you don't want to call the Poison Center with your phone, you can use an online tool developed by the National Capital Poison Center to get information on first aid procedures related to poisonings. Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor MD, will tell us all we need to know on Web Poison Control.
Interesting links
Web Poison Control
https://www.webpoisoncontrol.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0IC6-7LD4QIVBYbICh2uPA3MEAAYASAAEgKuPfD_BwE
Poison! Podcast
https://www.poison.org/podcast
Julie Weber RPh, CSPI of the Missouri Poison Center is joining us for Poison Prevention Week to talk about how to prevent poisonings associated with cleaning chemicals.
Interesting Links
Missouri Poison Center Spring Cleaning article
https://missouripoisoncenter.org/some-things-just-dont-mix/
American Association of Poison Control Centers Prevention page
https://www.aapcc.org/Prevention
Canadian Poison Control Centres phone number (numbers are different for each provinces)
https://www.aapcc.org/centers Look under Canada
Statements about Poison Prevention Week 2019 from the Canadian Minister of Health
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2019/03/message-from-the-minister-of-health--national-poison-prevention-week-2019---march-17-23-2019.html
US President's Proclamation on Poison Prevention Week 2019
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-national-poison-prevention-week-2019/
In this episode, we will be discussing a book called the Poison Squad One chemist's single-minded crusade for food safety at the turn of the twentieth century.
My guest today is the author of the book, Deborah Blum. She is the director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT and publisher of Undark Magazine.
Interesting links
Author's official website
http://deborahblum.com/
Undark Magazine
https://undark.org/
We use various products to protect ourselves and our objects from cold and ice during the winter but they might be hazardous if they are not handled safely. Julie Weber, RPh, CSPI of the Missouri Poison Center is here with us to tell us more about the toxic content of these products.
On this first episode of 2019, we will be talking about the book What the eyes don't see. This book is about a pediatrician who helped uncover the Flint water crisis with her study on children's blood lead level. Our guest today is the author of this book, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, FAAP of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
Show notes
22m38s Mistake: EPA Law and Copper Rule. Correct: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
Interesting websites
Dr. Hanna-Attisha's official website. Good place to visit if you want to get her book ( a part of the book's proceeds will go to the Flint kids fund).
https://monahannaattisha.com/
Pediatric Public Health Initiative
https://msuhurleypphi.org/
Flint kids fund
https://www.cfgf.org/cfgf/GoodWork/FlintArea/WaterCrisis/tabid/855/Default.aspx
Biography of John Snow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/snow_john.shtml
Brief explanation of what is epidemiology (if you don't know already..)
https://www.who.int/topics/epidemiology/en/
Today, we will find out if that's the case with our guest Dr.Yana Lyapustina. Dr. Lyapustina is a medical doctor and emergency medicine resident at the University of Connecticut. She wrote an article review about the clinical evaluation of patient with reported gadolinium-associated illness.
Interesting links
FDA news report about gadolinium and NSF adverse reaction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEKC-7q_L1wI
To report adverse health effects associated with medications
FDA
https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/howtoreport/ucm053074.htm
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html
We've all heard or read that soy intake is good for our health but according to Dr. Heather Patisaul's research soy phytoestrogens can have adverse health effects in certain groups of the population. Dr. Patisaul is a Professor of Biological Sciences in the Center for Human Health and the Environment at NC State University. She joins us to talk about how to prevent the health impacts associated with these compounds.
If you want to know which holiday objects of this Christmas season are poisonous, Julie Weber RPh, CSPI of the Missouri Poisson Center has all the answers on today's episode.
Today, we will talk about mercury spills induced by broken objects containing this metal. My guest is Tony Burda of the Illinois Poison Center. We will discuss the health effects of mercury, treatment of a mercury exposure and ways to clean objects that have been contaminated with mercury.
Today on the episode, we will talk about a carbon monoxide poisoning case in a pregnant woman. Our guest Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor MD of the National Capital Poison Center will tell us about the health effects of carbon monoxide, the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, and how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics that can cause adverse effects such as rupture tendons or severe neurological symptoms. Dr. Beatrice Golomb MD, PhD of the Golomb Research Group at UC San Diego will tell us about the risk factors, contraindications, and management of fluoroquinolones adverse effects. We will also discuss tips for patients experiencing adverse effects associated with this drug.
Links
Dr.Golomb's Fluoroquinolones research study http://www.fqstudy.info/Fluoroquinolone_Effects_Study/Welcome.html Story of a patient who experienced fluoroquinolones adverse effects https://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/when-prescribed-incorrectly-lifesaving-antibiotics-can-be-dangerous-carry-real-risks/
In this episode, our guest Dr. Aiman Halai of the LA County Department of Public Health will tell us about the health effects of this infectious disease and what we can do to protect our family and our pets.
Today, we will be talking about potential toxic substances contained in crumb rubber. Crumb rubber is used as infill for playgrounds and athletic fields. My guest Dr. Sarah Evans, Phd of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will tells us all we need to know about these harmful substances.
Today, our guest is Art Kubic. He's a pharmacist with the Illinois Poison Center. We will talk about the following items on this episode: toxic halloween-related products, symptoms induced by toxic halloween-related substances, first aid procedures, and tips to stay safe while trick or treating.
A case study reports a sequential exposure to lead from a ceramic mug and a maca root powder supplement in a 32 year old woman. Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist with the National Capital Poison Center and an author of the study, will tell us about uncommon sources of lead, health effects of lead, and what to do if we suspect an exposure to lead. Websites mentioned by Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor: US Medical toxicology Clinics: https://www.acmt.net/cgi/page.cgi/findtoxicologist.html Webpoison Control https://www.webpoisoncontrol.org/ US Poison Control Centers Phone Number (for more info on Poison Control Centers listen to episode 5) 1-800-222-1222
Our guest Dr. Michelle Ruha, MD, a medical toxicologist and expert in snake envenomation, will give us tips on how to avoid rattlesnake bites. She will also tell us about first aid procedures for rattlesnake bites.
A study published in Pediatrics reports that children and adolescents were exposed to buprenorphine, a medication used for the treatment of opioid addiction and acute pain. One of the co-author of the study, Rick Spiller of the Central Ohio Poison Center, will be discussing with us the reasons for these exposures and how to prevent them. He will also talk about the effects and the treatment of a buprenorphine overdose.
Today, we're going to talk about a parasite, the rat lungworm, which is thought to be rare in the US. A report by the CDC tell us the opposite. My guest today is Kathleen Howe. She is a rat lungworm disease expert of the University of Hawaii. Kathleen has led a personal battle against this parasite since her son has been affected by this parasite. Kathleen will talk about the following items: health effects of rat lungworm, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and why rat lungworm disease is underreported in Hawaii.
This a special episode for International Overdose Awareness Day. We will talk about how to prevent drug overdose suicides with our guest Dr. Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber, Phd of Columbia Lighthouse Project. She will also talk about the Columbia Protocol a promising test for assessing the risk of suicide. This test can be used by anyone. For more info visit: http://cssrs.columbia.edu/
Today, we will be talking about the health effects of metals present in e-cigarette vapors and how we can lessen the effects of these toxic compounds. My guest is Dr. Ana Maria Rule. She is a research scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Today, BCCDC wildfire smoke expert Dr. Sarah Henderson, will give us all the necessary information to stay healthy during wildfire season. We will discuss the following items:
-Signs and Symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure -Preventive measures to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke -Tools to measure air quality
Hot summer temperature contributes to bacterial growth. BCCDC Food Safety Expert Lorraine McIntyre will give us the 411 on how to keep bacteria out of food when cooking outside in hot weather. In this episode, some of the topics that will be discussed are food cross-contamination, proper heat temperature for meat and poultry, and what is the best way to get bacteria out of our hands.
Our guest today is Cat Adams, a Phd candidate at UCBerkeley. She is doing a thesis on death cap mushrooms. She will tells us about the do's and dont's when handling this mushroom. In addition to that, she will give us tips on how to forage for mushrooms
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Vose, Phd from the Vermont Department of Health, tells us about the effects of this skin-burning plant and how to protect yourself from it. She also describe how this plant looks like.
A lot of people think that tuberculosis (TB) is not present in developed countries. However, a study reveals the occurrence of TB in children and teens in British Columbia, Canada. The author of the study, Jennifer Guthrie MSc. Phd (candidate) from the BCCDC, gives us information on the symptoms, detection and prevention of TB. Also, we discuss the findings of the study.
Jason Tetro, aka the germ guy, is back again with advice to protect yourself from Norovirus when you're at the beach. He also talks about how to recognize and treat a norovirus infection.
Today, we will discuss the do's and don'ts of first aid procedures for lion's mane jellyfish stings. In addition to that, we will talk about the signs and symptoms of jellyfish stings. Dr. Angel Yanagihara is my guest for this episode. She is a world renowned expert on this topic. Dr. Yanagihara appeared on documentaries of the BBC, CBC and PBS.
In this episode, My guest Melissa Bravo MSc. from Meadow Lake Farm Consulting will tell us why the giant hogweed is a dangerous plant. In addition to that, she will describe what to do if we get burned by the plant and how do we get rid of it.
Jason Tetro BSc, the author of the Germ files, joins us to talk about how cyclospora induces its effects, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what to do to reduce our exposure.
In this episode, Dr. Peter Setlow BSc. ,Phd from the University of Connecticut Health Center tells us what can we do to decrease our exposure to bacterial deposition by hand dryers.
In this episode, I discuss with Dr. Theo Dreher, Phd from Oregon State University: -How blue green algae appear -Health effects of blue green algae -Eating fish and shellfish from contaminated water -Swimming in contaminated lakes -Removal of blue green algae from drinking water
My guest today is Steve Dudley, PharmD from Arizona's Poison and Drug Information Center. In this episode, we discuss signs of abuse, overdose symptoms and what to do in a overdose. Also, we talk about the Arizona Opioid Assistance and Referral Line that was created by the Arizona Department of Health Services and Arizona's Poison and Drug Information Centers .
In this episode, we discuss how honey can reduce injuries induced by button batteries. In addition to that, we discuss how to prevent button battery ingestion in children. My guest today is Dr. Kris Jatana MD, FAAP, an otolaryngologist from Nationwide Childrens Hospital. If you have more questions about button batteries, please contact the National Battery Ingestion hotline at 1-800-498-8666 or your local poison center.
In this episode, we discuss the causes for this increase, how to prevent adhd medication overdoses in this population and the signs and symptoms of an ADHD drug overdose. My guest is RIck Spiller MS, D.ABAT, FAACT. He is the director of the Central Ohio Poison Center.
Today my guest is Dr. Michele Jay-Russell DVM, MPVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVPM, who is a food safety specialist from the University of California, Davis. We talked about the Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melons that affected people in 5 different states in the US. We also discussed how salmonellosis is diagnosed, treated and what to do if we have contaminated melons.
In this episode, my guest Dr. Nicholas Fisher BSc, Phd from Stony Brook University reveals to us that eating a lot of fish which contains methylmercury can cause poisoning. Dr. Fisher also explains to us how one can reduce his or her exposure to methylmercury .
My guest today is Fiorella Carhuaz BSc, CHES, from the Oregon Poison Center. We discuss how poison control centers can help you when you've been poisoned by chemicals, medications., recreational drugs, mushrooms, venoms, plants and herbs. Dial 1-800-222-1222 to reach a poison center in the United States and the phone numbers for each Canadian provinces are listed on this webpage https://safemedicationuse.ca/tools_resources/poison_centres.html?. For more information on the Oregon Poison Center you can visit their website https://www.ohsu.edu/xd/outreach/oregon-poison-center/
Ayahuasca is a tea from South America containing a substance with hallucinogenic properties called DMT. There are studies favoring the use of ayahuasca and other's who don't. In this interview, my guest Matthew Bilhimer PharmD, BCPS from the University of Kansas Health System gives us the facts surrounding this tea concoction.
According to a report released by the CDC, 1 in 3 swimming-related disease occur in hotel. CDC expert Michele Hlavsa RN MPH explains to us how germs induce swimming-related disease and she gives tips on how to protect ourselves from these microbes.
Synthetic cannabinoids are recreational drugs that are marketed as legal and safe. Sabra Botch-Jones, M.S., M.A., D-ABFT-FT a forensic toxicologist from Boston University, reveals to us that this is not the case. She also explains how these substance can be dangerous for those who use it.
My guest this week is Hannah Shayler BS, MA, who is an extension associate at Cornell Waste Management Institute. We talk about how chemicals get into your garden and ways to reduce their presence in soils and crops.
In this episode, I talk about who I am, what the podcast is about and why I am doing this podcast.