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| This Week's Titles: |
| Blood
Mercury Level Concerns in Children |
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Eating Fish When You Are
Pregnant |
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| Reducing
Infections From Viruses |
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| Repairing
Bad Credit Takes Hard Work |
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| Increasing
Nutrient Levels In Peanut Meal |
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| Blood
Mercury Level Concerns In Children |
1:37 |
A recent report raises new
concerns about children born with elevated blood levels of mercury. |
Previous data placed the
number of children born with elevated mercury blood levels around
300,000. But the EPA recently revised those figures, and now
places the number around 600,000. Jorge Atiles, a housing and
environment specialist with the University of Georgia Extension
Service says the primary source of exposure to mercury is eating
mercury contaminated fish. But he adds mercury thermometers
and thermostats can also be a source of mercury contamination
for children. "And you may recall that even when we were little
we used to play with thermometers that had mercury, we're fascinated
by that silver looking liquid. Well, that's very dangerous,
and there are many efforts by several institutions trying to
recall thermometers in schools, and from people, and also thermostats
from homes." Jorge Atiles with the College of Family and Consumer
Sciences. Since mercury is considered a hazardous waste, the
university specialist recommends homeowners replace mercury
thermostats and thermometers with digital instruments, to reduce
the chances of mercury contamination in your home. John Harrell,
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Eating
Fish When You're Pregnant |
1:47 |
Women with a baby on the way
need to watch the fish they eat. |
Fish are exposed to mercury
when emissions from coal-fired power plants containing mercury
are released into the air, and settle in streams, lakes, and
rivers. Judy Harrison, a foods specialist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says developing fetuses are most
sensitive to the dangers associated with exposure to mercury.
She adds pregnant women who eat contaminated fish can pass mercury
to their unborn children. "Yes, we do know that there's a risk
that high levels of methylmercury in the mother can be passed
from the pregnant woman to her fetus, and also nursing mothers
should follow rules about eating fish and not passing along
the methylmercury to their children." Judy Harrison with the
College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Women who are pregnant
should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish
because they contain high levels of mercury. Levels of mercury
in other fish can vary. The university specialist recommends
mixing up the types of fish and shellfish you eat, and do not
eat the same type of fish and shellfish more than once a week.
Local advisories should be checked about the safety of fish
caught in local rivers and streams. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Reducing
Infections From Viruses |
1:49 |
People can fight off an attack
from a vicious stomach virus. |
The stomach bug, known
as the Norwalk virus has been marching across the University
of Georgia and several other campuses this winter. The intense
virus has caused hundreds of students to suffer abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and misery. Elizabeth Andress, a
Food Safety Specialist with the University of Georgia Extension
Service says the Norwalk virus is sneaky, and can infect humans
several ways. "But we do know that people can be infected by
eating contaminated foods, touching contaminated surfaces, not
washing their hands after using the restroom, or sometimes just
being too close to someone else who has it." Elizabeth Andress
with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds cases
of the virus can develop within twelve hours of exposure. Symptoms
last two to three days before the victim begins feeling better.
The university specialist goes on to say people need to do all
they can to avoid spreading the Norwalk virus, and other infections
diseases. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Disinfect contaminated
surfaces with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners. And,
don't eat raw or undercooked shell fish. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Repairing
Bad Credit Takes Hard Work |
1:31 |
It takes a lot of time and
hard work to repair bad credit. |
Many people spend days
looking for a good debt-repayment plan to help repair their
bad credit. But a financial management specialist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says many companies make false
claims about credit repair. People believe these claims, pay
the companies money, and wind up with more financial problems.
The hard truth of the matter is, there are no simple quick fixes
to repair bad credit. "Yeah, the only way to get out of debt
is to pay the debt off there's no magic bullet, no quick and
simple solution, you've just got to develop a plan to get yourself
out of debt and stick to it." That was Michael Rupured with
the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The secret to improving
your credit rating is simple and free. First, pay your bills
on time. Next, report anything suspicious to the credit bureau,
reduce the amount you owe, and close unused lines of credit.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Increasing
Nutrient Levels In Peanut Meal |
1:19 |
College scientists are working
to increase the nutrient value of peanut meal used for poultry
feed. |
For several years poultry
producers in Georgia have been using peanut meal as a feed source
for their birds. But studies by the University of Georgia's
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have shown
the nutrient and energy levels in this feed are well below normal.
"We're re-analyzing peanut meal, and in a sense what we've found
is one that the energy values they're using for their peanut
meal samples is about twenty five percent lower than what is
currently being produced." That was Amy Batal with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
More research will be needed before a final evaluation on the
nutrient levels in peanut meal can be measured. Then feed ingredients
with higher nutrition values can be used in peanut meal, which
will help bring more money back into the state's agricultural
economy. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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