High air pollution levels may trigger appendicitis

University of Calgary researchers have conducted a study that suggests high air pollution levels may increase the risk of appendicitis.

The study involved more than 5,000 adults who were hospitalized for appendicitis in Calgary between 1999 and 2006.

The research found higher concentrations of air pollutants were associated with the occurrence of appendicitis, and the effect of air pollution was strongest during the summer months when people were more likely to be outside.

Hedgehogs, lizards not suitable as pets

The American Academy of Pediatrics says young children should not keep hedgehogs, hamsters, baby chicks, lizards or turtles as pets.

The academy says they can carry dangerous germs. Young children are vulnerable as their immune systems are developing and because they often put their hands in their mouths. The group says families with children younger than five should avoid nontraditional pets.

No cough, cold remedies for kids under four

Children under four should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, U.S. drug companies said in a concession to pediatricians who doubt the drugs do much good and worry about risks.

The change comes less than a week after federal health officials in the U.S. said they also saw little evidence that the drugs work. But government officials were afraid that taking the medicines off store shelves might prompt parents to give their children adult medicines.

The drug makers said they will also add a warning that parents should not give antihistamines to children to make them sleepy. These are allergy-relief medications often found in medicines that combine several ingredients to treat a variety of symptoms.

Last year in Canada and the U.S., companies pulled cough and cold medicines for children under two from the market.

Possible Ontario ban for minors in tanning beds

Ontario will consider banning the use of tanning beds by minors after a call by the Canadian Cancer Society, Health Minister David Caplan says.

The Society renewed its call for the ban yesterday after releasing a study indicating many artificial tanning sites are not following Health Canada's voluntary safety guidelines, including those related to youths.

In a study of 79 tanning salons in the Toronto area, the group found that six in 10 failed to ask the age of minors.

"... children and youth should exercise extreme caution in using devices like this," Caplan said.

N.Y.C. posts calorie chart in subway ad campaign

New York City is expanding its healthy-eating campaign with subway ads that say most adults should limit themselves to 2,000 calories day.

Municipal health department posters appeared Monday in about 1,000 subway cars providing calorie counts for several menu items.

The campaign is intended to build on the city's new regulation requiring chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus.

For example, a giant apple bran muffin would have 470 calories, while a chicken burrito with toppings would have 1,170. Officials feel people will eat less if they know how many calories are in food items.

Hamilton Spectator wire services