Health and Safety Conversations Podcast with Tom Bourne, Australia
Excited to have been invited for a chat with Tom Bourne, with the popular health and safety podcast platform based in Australia - Health & Safety Conversations.
Link: https://www.healthandsafetyconversations.com/
Tom Bourne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombourne/
Listen to our candid conversations about occupational, environmental and public health issues and topics relating to silicosis and respiratory hazards from around the world.
The link to the podcast will be shared here once launched.
The Pneumoconiosis Observatory of the Americas
Article published in Globatium
GLOBATIUM© spoke with Dr. Diemen Delgado García, who, before introducing us to each of his colleagues and collaborators, gave a brief review of the work carried out in the first month of his management at the head of the Pneumoconiosis Observatory of the Americas.
« I can inform you with great joy that in the first month of work we managed to socialize the existence of the observatory in academic events of great magnitude: on November 15 in Lima Peru, the II Herediano Congress of Security, Ergonomics and Medicine, then, two days later, on November 17 in Santiago de Chile, the XVIII Latin American Congress of Occupational Health and I Chilean Congress of Occupational Medicine. On November 25 in Puerto Varas at the 55th Chilean Congress of Respiratory Diseases; On December 1 in Copiapó we held the Regional Tripartite and Intersectoral Silicosis Table of Atacama. In other words, it has been a hectic month, something like a litmus test to see what we are made of and in what directions this ship of experts is taking us," explained Delgado García.
– The year 2023 is not over yet, is there any activity scheduled before the end of the year?
– That's right, in the next few days the agenda will be in Lima on December 15 and 16 at the Peru SAFE Congress Building Political Strategies for a Safe and Sustainable Future in Safety, Health and the Environment. For next year the agenda will be focused on the dissemination of the observatory in Europe where we have been invited by the University of Rome La Sapienza, Università degli Studi di Milano and the University of Barcelona.
«We are a non-governmental organization made up of researchers and academics with recognized experience in the scientific community, open, transparent and proactive, which seeks to warn worldwide of the dangers that pneumoconiogen agents can cause in the lungs and that can harm the health of people. "Human beings, these specialists who accompany me, are leaders in their field, they know what to do and how to act in this matter," said the professional.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION CHART
This is the human team that the director of the Observatory announced a few hours ago. This Observatory is made up of researchers-academics from 21 countries in America (Canada, USA, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile), and representatives of Italy and Spain as guests.
Full Feature in Globatium (Spanish):
Basuco
It all begins with an idea.
'#Basuco' is a highly addictive toxic mix of cocaine residue that is wreaking havoc across the world. More potent than cocaine and at 20 cents a hit, it is considered the cheapest drug in the world.
Health professionals need to take note.
Different variations of basuco exist and are often referred to as bazuco, bazuko, oxi-basuco, coca paste, and paso. Made from the base crude extract of the coca leaf, it contains cocaine sulfate, along with coca alkaloids and other toxic ingredients such as benzoic acid, ethanol, lead, sulfuric acid, ether, chloroform, kerosene, brick dust, volcanic ash, and chalk, which are often used as cutting agents to make it cheaper to produce. In some cases, it has also been known to be mixed with ground human bones. Yes, human bones.
Due to being unrefined, it is by nature more toxic; this is where it derives its name which in Spanish comes from the word trash or dirty trash – ‘basura’ and refers to the residue of paste when cocaine is manufactured. Basuco is typically smoked as a cigarette with tobacco or marijuana or, more commonly, from self-made pipes made of PVC or aluminum foil, therefore the user not only inhales basuco but also the toxic chemicals from the plastic or metal present.
As a stimulant, basuco creates a high that is characterized by increased energy, alertness, talkativeness, sociability, and confidence. It affects the brain by preventing transporters from reabsorbing dopamine, causing the chemical to build up leading to side effects such as a rush of euphoria and activating the reward system, which is similar to a cocaine high. Neurons communicate via neurotransmitters or chemical messengers like dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is a chemical that enables neurons in the brain to communicate and control movement. It can also affect physiological functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Common side effects include:
§ Abdominal pain
§ Anxiety and paranoia
§ Bizarre, erratic, or violent behaviour
§ Bronchitis, chronic cough, or other lung damage
§ Chronic fatigue and lethargy
§ Decreased appetite
§ Digestive problems
§ Euphoria
§ Hallucinations
§ Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
§ Impaired judgment and risky behaviour
§ Increased alertness and energy
§ Increased heart rate
§ Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
§ Irritability or mood swings
§ Malnutrition
§ Memory problems
§ Muscle twitching
§ Nausea
§ Restlessness
§ Raised blood-pressure
§ Talkative
§ Tremors
It is possible to overdose on basuco.
Little is known about the long-term health consequences of use, but it is believed these may be like cocaine. Research needs to be conducted to determine the long-term side effects from some of the toxic ingredients such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis due to the brick dust and volcanic ash.
A documentary by Vice News sheds light on this drug. https://video.vice.com/en_uk/topic/basuco
#basuco; #drugs; #unodc; #who; #fnha; #iom; #health; #healthcare
'#Basuco' is a highly addictive toxic mix of cocaine residue that is wreaking havoc across the world. More potent than cocaine and at 20 cents a hit, it is considered the cheapest drug in the world.
Health professionals need to take note.
Different variations of basuco exist and are often referred to as bazuco, bazuko, oxi-basuco, coca paste, and paso. Made from the base crude extract of the coca leaf, it contains cocaine sulfate, along with coca alkaloids and other toxic ingredients such as benzoic acid, ethanol, lead, sulfuric acid, ether, chloroform, kerosene, brick dust, volcanic ash, and chalk, which are often used as cutting agents to make it cheaper to produce. In some cases, it has also been known to be mixed with ground human bones. Yes, human bones.
Due to being unrefined, it is by nature more toxic; this is where it derives its name which in Spanish comes from the word trash or dirty trash – ‘basura’ and refers to the residue of paste when cocaine is manufactured. Basuco is typically smoked as a cigarette with tobacco or marijuana or, more commonly, from self-made pipes made of PVC or aluminum foil, therefore the user not only inhales basuco but also the toxic chemicals from the plastic or metal present.
As a stimulant, basuco creates a high that is characterized by increased energy, alertness, talkativeness, sociability, and confidence. It affects the brain by preventing transporters from reabsorbing dopamine, causing the chemical to build up leading to side effects such as a rush of euphoria and activating the reward system, which is similar to a cocaine high. Neurons communicate via neurotransmitters or chemical messengers like dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is a chemical that enables neurons in the brain to communicate and control movement. It can also affect physiological functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Common side effects include:
§ Abdominal pain
§ Anxiety and paranoia
§ Bizarre, erratic, or violent behaviour
§ Bronchitis, chronic cough, or other lung damage
§ Chronic fatigue and lethargy
§ Decreased appetite
§ Digestive problems
§ Euphoria
§ Hallucinations
§ Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
§ Impaired judgment and risky behaviour
§ Increased alertness and energy
§ Increased heart rate
§ Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
§ Irritability or mood swings
§ Malnutrition
§ Memory problems
§ Muscle twitching
§ Nausea
§ Restlessness
§ Raised blood-pressure
§ Talkative
§ Tremors
It is possible to overdose on basuco.
Little is known about the long-term health consequences of use, but it is believed these may be like cocaine. Research needs to be conducted to determine the long-term side effects from some of the toxic ingredients such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis due to the brick dust and volcanic ash.
A documentary by Vice News sheds light on this drug. https://video.vice.com/en_uk/topic/basuco
#basuco; #drugs; #unodc; #who; #fnha; #iom; #health; #healthcare
COPD Awareness Month Highlights Several Important Occupational Risk Factors
It all begins with an idea.
As we approach the end of November, a month dedicated to raising awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders (#COPD) it is important to remain aware of the principles of this common respiratory condition:
* COPDs is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23m deaths (2019)
* COPD is the 7th leading cause of poor health worldwide (in DALY)
* #Tobacco smoking accounts for over 70% of #COPD cases in high-income countries and 30%-40% in low-middle-income countries (#LMIC) with an estimated 30% #COPD cases in people who never smoked.
* Nearly 90% of COPD deaths of those under 70 years old occur in #LMIC.
* Countries like Australia estimate 1 in 13 people over 40 years have #COPD
(Source: World Health Organization, 2023)
#COPD is a general term given to several common lung conditions such as #bronchitis and #emphysema which cause restricted airflow and breathing difficulties in affected persons. Symptoms typically include phlegm, wheezing, cough and tiredness. #COPD and #asthma share common symptoms (cough, wheezing and difficulty breathing) and people may suffer from both conditions.
#Smoking, #airpollution and workplace exposure can all contribute to ill health by either causing or worsening a pre-existing condition. Those with #COPD are also more prone to other health conditions such as lung infections, flu, #pneumonia, #lungcancer, heart problems, weak muscles, brittle bones, and depression. Symptoms can worsen over time and regular flare-ups are common and often caused by a respiratory infection.
Some preventative measures include avoiding dusty environments, cessation of smoking, avoiding air pollution as well and having an annual #influenza and/or #pneumonia vaccine, #covid19 boosters, antibiotics, steroids, oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Common risk factors that may cause the narrowing, irritation, blocking, and destruction of part of the lungs as well as inflammation and swelling of the airway lining include:
Tobacco usage
Second-hand smoke
Vaping smoke and shisha
Exposure to air contaminants e.g. gases, vapours, fumes, mists, and dusts
Indoor air pollution which can cause high levels of smoke exposure such as the burning of biomass fuels
Early childhood events such as frequent and severe respiratory infections e.g., asthma, prematurity, and some genetic conditions may be factors that increase vulnerability in later life.
#COPD is not curable, however, several treatments and pulmonary rehabilitation may help to relieve symptoms. The key is to avoid exposure to known risk factors and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle which can improve symptoms of #COPD.
To follow more of my work in #health and #industrialhygiene or to schedule a consultation, please visit my website: www.nayabsultan.com
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.