EPA ISSUES EMERGENCY STOP ORDER TO STOP USE OF PESTICIDE DACTHAL TO ADDRESS SERIOUS HEALTH RISK
WASHINGTON – Today, Aug. 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the emergency suspension of all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This is the first time in almost 40 years EPA has taken this type of
TN WOMAN FIRED FOR REFUSING EMPLOYER’S COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE WINS ALMOST $700K
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A federal jury has determined a woman who was fired for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine mandated by her employer, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is due a settlement worth almost $700,000. The jury found that Tanja Benton ‘proved by a preponderance of the evidence” that her refusal
STOMACH PARALYSIS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE USING POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS/DIABETES DRUGS
Injected medications that treat diabetes and obesity increase the risk of a rare but serious side effect: stomach paralysis, according to new data on the real-world use of the drugs. At least three new studies based on large collections of patient records show that the risk of being diagnosed with
FDA: SIX BRANDS OF GROUND CINNAMON FOUND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD
FDA: SIX BRANDS OF GROUND CINNAMON FOUND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded its investigation into tainted cinnamon products, and its experts now say that the lead contamination extends beyond the cinnamon applesauce pouches that were recalled in October. Officials sent a
NEW SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT LOCATOR WESBITE FOR TENNESSEE
A new substance abuse treatment locator website from the Tennessee Department of Health is available now at FindHelpNowTN.org. This site links individuals directly to care and help if they are struggling with a substance use disorder. “There is an immediate, critical point, where those struggling with substance abuse and misuse are
THIRD CONFIRMED PEDIATRIC FLU-RELATED DEATH IN TN
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed a third pediatric influenza-related death in Tennessee on Tuesday. Nationwide, six flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the second week of the new year — totaling 85 pediatric flu deaths so far this season. Two children were in the East Tennessee area and one
ADULTS ON TENNCARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR DENTAL BENEFITS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Adults on TennCare are now eligible for extensive dental benefits as of January 2023. This will affect over 600,000 adults across the state. In 2022, Governor Lee proposed a $25 million investment to offer dental care to adults 21 years and older on TennCare. Children on TennCare,
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE STARTS NOVEMBER 1ST
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (“TDCI”) reminds Tennesseans to review and update their health insurance coverage on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (“FFM”) when the Open Enrollment period for 2023 opens on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Consumers will have at least two insurance choices on the FFM
BANANA BOAT RECALL DUE TO CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICAL
On Friday, Edgewell Personal Care Company stated that Banana Boat’s Hair and Scalp sunscreen are being recalled after tests detected trace levels of the carcinogen benzene. According to the release, “While benzene is not an ingredient in any Banana Boat products, the review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from
CDC SAYS ONE DEATH IN TENNESSEE ATTRIBUTED TO SALMONELLA IN BACK YARD POULTRY
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that over 200 cases of Salmonella were linked to contact with backyard poultry like chickens. The outbreak has hit several states causing illness and hospitalizations. The CDC reported one death in Tennessee. They did not reveal the location of the death. The CDC
PFIZER VOLUNTARILY RECALLS BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION, POSES LONG-TERM RISK OF CANCER
Pfizer voluntarily recalled three blood pressure medications this week due to a concern over an organic compound found in them. The compound could pose a risk to cancer over time, according to Pfizer. The tablets contain an amount of nitrosamine above the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level. Pfizer will recall six lots
TENNESSEE GETS SHIPMENT OF ORAL ANTI-VIRAL COVID-19 PILLS
The Tennessee Department of Health announced that the state has received shipments of the Merck and Pfizer oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19. The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for molnupirvar by Merck and Paxlovid™ by Pfizer as oral antiviral treatments of COVID-19. Early studies indicate these treatment options may
