120607 mv - HPV vaccine

HPV VACCINE
(PUBLIC HEALTH) — The Department of Public Health is getting ready to administer the second dose of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine to female students in the high schools of the CNMI. Three doses are necessary to complete the vaccine series. Although the second dose will be administered at the schools starting Dec. 10, any student who failed to get her first HPV dose can still get her first shot while the second dose is being administered at school. She can also visit the Southern Wellness Community Center in San Antonio or any private clinic on Saipan to acquire the first dose. The free vaccine is also available for girls 18 and under who are not in school. Girls under the age of 18 must have written consent from her parents or guardian to receive the vaccine. For more information, call 664-4850.

Taotao Tano does not want fluoride in drinking water

http://www.mvariety.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=3348&format=html

Monday December 3, 2007 By Emmanuel T. Erediano Variety News Staff


TAOTAO Tano CNMI Inc. is discouraging one of the island’s main water companies from producing fluoridated water, saying the compound “is toxic to human beings.”
But Saipan Ice owner Eileen Olopai Pelligrino said fluoridated water is safe, adding that their product secured certification and approval from appropriate government agencies.
In his letter to Pelligrino yesterday, Taotao Tano president Gregorio Cruz said that after doing some research, they found that “fluoride contains lead, arsenic, radium and other toxic chemicals, which causes memory problems, neurological impairment, learning disorders, and hip fractures,”
He asked Pelligrino “to please understand our stance on this issue for it is of great concern in our community.”
Cruz at the same time commended Pelligrino and her company for the services they have been providing to the community.
He said he respects Saipan Ice’s commitment and dedication to “serving our people,” but added that water with fluoride is “a great concern.”
Cruz said rats that were given fluoride developed bone and liver cancer.
“There is enough fluoride in our toothpaste — we don’t need more of it,” Cruz said.
In a separate interview, Saipan Ice chemist Liza Panuringan said fluoridated drinking water is available in the U.S. and has been tested to be safe.
She said tap water in most parts of the U.S. is fluoridated which, she added, helps address problems of tooth decay among children.
The amount of fluoride they use, Panuringan said, is 0.8 ml per liter of water.
Pelligrino said they understand that there are may be some controversy about fluoride, but added that their product is safe and has been approved by the Division of Environmental Quality.
She said they will meet with Taotao Tano to discuss the group’s concerns.
The company said in a statement that fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that can help prevent dental decay. These compounds are components of minerals in rocks and soil. Small amounts of fluoride are present in all water sources.
According to the company, the American Dental Association, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the World Health Organization recognize water fluoridation as safe, inexpensive and effective method of preventing tooth decay among people of all ages.
In the CNMI, the Saipan Seventh Day Adventist Clinic is “pleased to know that Saipan Ice is offering its customers the potion of fluoridated water.”
Family practice dentist, Crystal A. Edmister told Pellegrino in a letter that they “strongly recommend all children between six to 15 years of age (to) have a regular intake of fluoride in optimal levels.”

Warning out vs fake $100 bills

mv-Monday, November 19, 2007 By Marconi CalindasReporter

The public is being warned to be doubly cautious in receiving dollar bills because of alleged incidents of counterfeit $100 bills circulating in the CNMI.The Saipan Chamber of Commerce has disseminated notices to its members in the business community about fake $100 bills that are being passed around.“There are counterfeit $100 bills floating around again,” said the Chamber in an e-mail to members. The Chamber is advising its members and the community to make sure that their frontline staff checks the $100 bills properly before accepting them.The Chamber is also asking members and the community to notify the Department of Public Safety to report individuals who have been trying to pass these bills.CrimeStoppers' Jim Arenovski echoed the Chamber's warning, saying that retailers and community members should take precautions when receiving bills. Arenovski said the community could contact DPS immediately when they detect a counterfeit. “You wouldn't know it [counterfeit money] until the bank takes it back,” he said.A concerned citizen who asked not to be identified said a fine dining restaurant in Garapan, Beach Road received one such counterfeit $100 bill from a visitor. “They were tourists and they seemed to be unaware that their bills were counterfeit,” the source told Saipan Tribune.The restaurant staff was not immediately able to determine that the bill was a fake. It was not immediately known if the matter has been reported to police.Arenovski said there are easy ways to determine whether a dollar bill is a fake or not.He urged people to check out http://www.moneyfactory.gov to know more about how to detect fake bills.

LEARN ABOUT PLASTIC

warnings about storing and cooking food in plastic, and leaching chemicals, and hormone disruption, and ACK! So here it is: The lowdown on plastic food containers. Learn which plastics to never use with food, read 12 tips about plastic in the kitchen, and see some swell inert alternatives.

SIMPLE SOLUTION: So let’s just cut to the chase here: Flip over your favorite plastic food storage container and check the recycling code number. If you spy a number 3 or 7, well, those containers should probably go to the craft room or garage to store buttons or screws rather than food. If there is no number listed, contact the manufacturer. (And to be fair to Tupperware, they do manufacture products that are not made of these plastic types.)
Number 3 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl. PVC has garnered the moniker “the toxic plastic” for the presence of DEHA—one of several plasticizers (softeners) used in its production. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, long-term DEHA exposure has the potential to cause: Reduced body weight and bone mass; damage to liver and testes; and cancer. The manufacture and incineration of PVC also releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment and food chain. Although PVC is not the most common plastic used for food storage containers, some are made from it and it is often used in plastic wrap to improve performance.

Recycling code number 7 includes several plastic types (it’s the catchall “other” category—see tips below) but it is predominantly polycarbonate. The problem with polycarbonate is that it harbors bisphenol A (BPA). Studies have shown that BPA damages the reproductive systems of lab animals by interfering with the effects of reproductive hormones and has other serious health effects. BPA's capacity to cause these stems from its ability to mimic the human hormone estrogen—it has been linked to prostate and mammary gland cancers, early onset of puberty and reproductive-organ defects.

see more on: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/kitchen-plastic-easy-greening.html

COMPLETE LIST OF RECALLED ITEMS

Brand Product Can Size Label UPC Barcode

1. Austex Beef Stew 15oz 30300 90815
2. Austex Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 91015
3. Austex Chili with Beans 19oz 30300 92519
4. Austex Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 97715
5. Austex Chili no Beans 19oz 30300 97719
6. Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 97101
7. Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 99533
8. Best Yet Chili with Beans 15oz 4218740842
9. Best Yet Corned Beef Hash 15oz 4217841082
10. Big Y Chili with Beans 15oz 18894 80425
11. Big Y Chili no Beans 15oz 18894 80424
12. Big Y Corned Beef Hash 15oz 18894 80225
13. Black Rock Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01715
14. Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 25439 92448
15. Bryan Chili no Beans 10oz 53400 35264
16. Bryan Chili no Beans 15oz 53400 30200
17. Bryan Chili with Beans 15oz 53400 30205
18. Bryan Corned Beef Hash 15oz 53400 30110
19. Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce with Beef 10oz 53400 30010
20. Bunker Hill Chili no Beans 10oz 75266 04112
21. Bunker Hill Spicier Chili no Beans 10oz 75266 04224
22. Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 75266 04152
23. Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce 10oz 30300 00402
24. Castleberry’s Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce 14.5oz 30300 00415
25. Castleberry’s Barbecue Beef 10oz 30300 00602
26. Castleberry’s Beef Stew 15oz 30300 00815
27. Castleberry’s Brunswick Beef Stew Chicken & Beef 15oz 30300 00315
28. Castleberry’s Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01015
29. Castleberry’s Chili no Beans 10oz 30300 07701
30. Castleberry’s Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 07715
31. Castleberry’s Corned Beef Hash 15oz 30300 00915
32. Castleberry’s Creamed Chip Beef Gravy 10oz 30300 05150
33. Castleberry’s Georgia Hash 15oz 30300 00215
34. Castleberry’s Hot Chili with Beans 15oz 3030007217
35. Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 3030000101
36. Castleberry’s Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 30300 07101
37. Castleberry’s Sausage Gravy 10oz 30300 05130
38. Cattle Drive Beef Stew 15oz 30300 01530
39. Cattle Drive Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01525
40. Cattle Drive Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 01520
41. Cattle Drive Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 01515
42. Firefighters Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz 73725 00413
43. Firefighters Chili with Beans 15oz 73725 00411
44. Firefighters Chili no Beans 15oz 73725 00412
45. Food Club Corned Beef Hash 15oz 36800 80204
46. Food Club Chili with Beans 15oz 36800 80504
47. Food Club Chili no Beans 15oz 36800 80404
48. Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 35826 06911
49. Goldstar Original Chili 10oz 24575 00001
50. Goldstar Chili 15oz 24575 00005
51. Goldstar Tex-Mex Chili with Beans 15oz 24575 00008
52. Great Value (Canada Only) Hot Chili with Beans 15oz 81131 79995
53. Great Value (Canada Only) Chili with Beans 15oz 81131 79994
54. Kroger Chili with Beans 15oz 11110 83930
55. Kroger Chili no Beans 15oz 11110 83908
56. Kroger Beef Stew 15oz 11110 83928
57. Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 11110 83942
58. Lowes Foods Chili with Beans 15oz 41643 01097
59. Lowes Foods Chili no Beans 15oz 41643 01092
60. Lowes Foods Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41643 01094
61. Meijer Chili with Beans 15oz 41250 95221
62. Meijer Chili no Beans 15oz 41250 95220
63. Meijer Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41250 95229
64. Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 41250 85862
65. Morton House Chili With Beans Beef & Chicken 15oz 75266 56851
66. Morton House Corned Beef Hash 15oz 75266 65830
67. Paramount Chili with Beans 15oz 75266 00502
68. Paramount Chili no Beans 15oz 75266 00501
69. Paramount Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 75266 00510
70. Paramount Chili Hot Dog Chili 15oz 75266 00526
71. Piggly Wiggly Chili no Beans 10oz 41290 37355
72. Piggly Wiggly Chili no Beans 15oz 41290 37354
73. Piggly Wiggly Chili with Beans 15oz 41290 37252
74. Piggly Wiggly Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41290 37357
75. Prudence Corned Beef Hash 15oz 41141 00020
76. Southern Home Chili no Beans 10oz 38259 48713
77. Southern Home Chili no Beans 15oz 07880 15340
78. Southern Home Chili with Beans 15oz 07880 15341
79. Southern Home Corned Beef Hash 15oz 07880 15360
80. Steak ’n Shake Chili with Beans 10oz 51844 00120
81. Thrifty Maid Chili with Beans 15oz 21140 21370
82. Thrifty Maid Corned Beef Hash 15oz 21140 21375
83. Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce 10oz 21140 21367
84. Triple Bar Chili no Beans 15oz 30300 05805
85. Triple Bar Chili with Beans 15oz 30300 05804
86. Triple Bar Chili with Beans Slow Cooked 15oz 30300 05801
87. Value Time Beef and Chicken Chili with Beans 15oz 11225 42159

Canned Pet Food Products

• Brand Product Can Size Label UPC Barcode
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef, Potatoes & Carrots 15oz 23633 59860
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken 15oz 23633 59861
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken & Pasta 15oz 23633 59863
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings With Chicken & Vegetables 15oz 23634 59862

DPH recalls canned products
The Department of Public Health has seized some 328 cans of Castleberry's Brand Beef Stew from stores on the island, in line with a national food recall of about 90 canned products.The CNMI Bureau of Environmental Health immediately removed the 15-oz canned items from store shelves, pursuant to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning about botulism contamination at a facility operated by the Georgia-based food company.“About 90 products are part of the national recall. The initial product recall and investigation was triggered after two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate a Castleberry's brand chili sauce product became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized,” said DPH.Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez said the BEH is checking all stores to make sure that none of the recalled products are still on shelves in the CNMI. For consumers who may have already bought the affected product, Villagomez said they should throw these away. The Castleberry's Beef Stew product or any of the recalled products are identified and listed by the public health office.The list includes pet food products. “[The consumers] are advised to throw them away immediately or return it to where the product was purchased for a full refund if you still have your receipt,” said DPH, adding that when discarding the recalled product, make sure to double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly sealed. Moreover, if the “Best By” date on any Castleberry's products listed is missing or unreadable, consumers should throw away the product as well. The “Best By” date can be found on the can lids. DPH said botulism poisoning could be fatal as its symptoms begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms of botulism poisoning may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves and so on. “The poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, resulting in death unless assistance with breathing is provided by mechanical ventilation,” said DPH.If a consumer is experiencing any of these symptoms and has recently eaten any of the recalled products, he or she should seek medical attention immediately. Dr. Richard Brostrom, Medical Director of Public Health, said there have been no reported cases of botulism or any illnesses related to the recall at CHC as of yesterday afternoon.Contact the BEH Office at 664-4870/72 or hotline number 664-4677 for more information.

FIND OUT THE TRUTH!

DO YOU THINK THIS ADVERTISEMENT

IS TRUE? OR FALSE?
Further research done by: Taotao Tano CNMI found this site to be "FALSE"

visit: www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/archer.htm

A WARNING FOR CHILDREN !!!

McDonalds, Ikea, Go Banannas, Discovery Zone... All places with ball pits in the children's play area.One of my sons lost his watch, and was very upset. We dug and dug in those balls, trying to find his watch.Instead, we found vomit, food, feces, and other stuff I do not want to discuss. I went to the manager and raised hell. Come to find out, the ball pit is only cleaned out once a month.I have doubts that it is even done that often. My kids will never play in another ball pit. Some of you might not be parents, but you may have nieces, nephews,grandchildren, or friends with children. Hi. My name is Lauren Archer. On October 2nd, 1999, I took my only son Kevin to McDonald's for his 3rd birthday. After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he started whining later on, I asked him what was wrong, he pointed to the back of his pull-up and simply said "Mummy, it hurts." I couldn't find anything wrong with him at that time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point when I found a welt on his left buttock. Upon investigating, it seemed as if there was something like a splinterunder the welt. I made an appointment to see the doctor the next day, but soon he started vomiting and shaking, then his eyes rolled back into his head. From there, we went to the emergency room. He died later that night. It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle that had broken off inside.The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroine overdose. The next week, the police removed the balls from the ball pit. There was rotten food,several hypodermic needles: some full, some used; knives, half-eaten lollies, nappies, feces, and the stench of urine. (You can find the article on Kevin Archer in the October 10,1999 issue of the Midland Chronicle.)Don't think it's just McDonald's either. A little boy had been playing in a ball pit @ a Hungry Jacks & started complaining of his legs hurting. He later died too. He was found to have snake bites all over his legs & buttocks. When they cleaned the ball pit, they found that there was a copperhead's nest in the ball pit. He had suffered numerous bites from a very poisonous snake. Repost this if it scares the crap out of you!! Repost this if you care about kids!! Please forward this to all loving mothers, fathers and anyone who loves and cares for children!! What has this world come to??If a child is not safe in a child's play area then where??