Welcome to another edition of the online show, with hosts today, Wojtek Gwiazda and Marc Montgomery
ListenOn this edition we start with a Canadian take on the elections in India and the swearing in of Narendra Modi as the new Prime Minister of India,
While he has been described as business friendly, he is also not without some controversy.
He has been linked with Hindu nationalists and also with deadly riots against Muslims in his home state of Gujurat.
Wojtek spoke with Dolores Chew a member of CERAS, a Montreal-based forum on South Asia, She is also on the faculty of Montreal’s Marianopolis College and teaches history and the humanities.
Then more disconcerting news about chemicals in our environment everyday that are having an adverse effect upon our health.
In a long-term study, the international group of researchers studied over 300 pregnant women and measured the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in their bodies. PBDE’s are a chemical flame retardant that for years was required to be impregnated into a variety of materials used in such things as chairs and chesterfields, draperies, and even clothing such as pyjamas.
Although for the most part removed from the marketplace by law or voluntarily in North America some ten years ago, they are persistent chemicals in our environment and in the human body. And, although, no longer marketed for a decade, PBDE’s are still present in most homes and offices.
The study measured the levels of PDBE’s in the women’s bodies while pregnant and then compared them to the IQs and behaviours of their children at 5 years after birth. They found the higher the chemical load, the poorer the IQ performance
Marc spoke to Dr Bruce Lanphear of Simon Fraser University who is also a clinical scientist at the Child and Family Research Institute, British Columbia Children’s Hospital and principal of the study.
In another health-related study, Lynn looked at doctors growing concerns over the increase in cases of melanoma skin cancers in Canadians.
Melanoma is preventable, but it’s also the cancer with the fastest rising number of cases in the country. While the death rates from other cancers are declining, skin cancer deaths are increasing.
In Canada, the sun is strongest between the hours of 11am and 4pm and Nuttall suggests people do indoor activities during that time. If they are going to be outside, he suggestss they seek shade or cover up with clothing and hats, use a sunscreen rated at least 15 and use it properly. Wearing sunglasses is important too, he adds, and tanning beds should be avoided.
Lynn spoke to Robert Nuttall, director of cancer control policy at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Longer versions of these stories can be found in the highlights section of the site.
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