Fireplaces, Wood-burning Stoves Can Increase Risk of DNA Damage

Millions of people this winter will use a fireplace or wood-burning stove as a source of heat. Unfortunately, combustion of biomass and wood can contribute substantially to air particulate matter that can be traced to DNA damage and possibly even cancer, according to a review of research conducted by Denmark researchers and published by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Air Particles Produced From Wood-Burning Can Negatively Affect Health

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) from ambient air is already associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The toxicological mechanisms of PM-related health effects are thought to involve the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, and inflammation. Oxidative stress can induce damage to DNA and inflammation can lead to chronic illnesses such as heart disease.
Steffen Loft PhD and colleagues reviewed 39 scientific journals published by the ACS and found an abundant amount of scientific evidence that links inhalation of fine particles of air pollution from motor vehicle exhaust, coal-fired electric power plants, and other sources to many health conditions. However, they found that there was not a lot of information related to the effects of wood smoke particulate matter (WSPM), so they collected air particle matter from a Denmark village in which the residents regularly used wood burning stoves and from a rural area that did not have a significant contribution from wood stoves.
Read: Health and Safety Precautions in Cold Weather Months
The particles that were collected from the air most affected by wood-burning tended to be of the most potentially hazardous size – small enough to be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs and can accelerate hardening of the arteries. The researchers stated that it was the equivalent of inhaling car exhaust.
When tested on cultures of human cells, WSPM caused more damage to the genetic material, more inflammation, and had greater activity in turning on genes that were linked to disease. The WSPM also contained higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which include “probable” human carcinogens.
Read: Seven Tips to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
In addition to fine particulate matter, wood burning fireplaces and stoves can release gases such as nitrogen dioxide which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, exacerbating asthma and carbon monoxide which can increase the risk of death. Other toxic compounds include formaldehyde, benzene, methyl chloride, and methyl ethyl ketone, all which can cause negative health effects when they penetrate deep into the lungs.
Dr. Loft says that to reduce the risk of WPSM effects, those who burn wood in fireplaces or stoves should only use dry wood cut into small pieces and ensure that there is good air flow in the room to minimize exposure to particles. A HEPA filter may also be an easy and accessible way to reduce particulate concentrations, per previous research conducted by Canadian scientists.

The Emotional and Physical Consequences of Sperm Donor Children

The latest Hollywood debate: Should a woman become a single mother via artificial insemination. Some children of mothers who became pregnant using anonymous sperm donors are saying that they have unresolved emotional issues related to being “donor offspring”. And for some, another health issue is important – understanding their genetic history and risk for contracting certain conditions as an adult.
In Jennifer Aniston’s latest movie The Switch, she portrays a woman who becomes pregnant using a sperm donor. She has told reporters that she approves of the science that has given women the ability to have children without having to “settle with a man just to have that child.” Bill O’Reilly has criticized Ms. Aniston’s statement saying that her comments are “destructive to our society” and accusing her of “diminishing the role of the dad.”
MSNBC today reports the story of two women, Katrina Clark and Lindsay Greenawalt, who have searched (or still searching) for their biological fathers. These women want to transform the dynamics of sperm donation so that if children later wish to learn more about their family history, they can. They seek a ban on anonymous sperm donations as they do in Britain and other European countries.
According to the report, an increasing number of US sperm banks now offer identity-release policies in which donors agree to let offspring contact the donor when they turn 18. But many donors still opt for anonymity.
In a recent study of 485 donor offspring, conducted by the Commission on Parenthood’s Future, titled “My Daddy’s Name is Donor,” children conceived by sperm donation were more troubled and depression-prone than other young adults. Ms. Greenawalt may be among those, saying that she has learned that although the man she seeks is aware of her, he appears to not want to be contacted.
She states in her blog: "If I had to choose between being conceived with half of my identity and half of my kinship deliberately denied from me for eternity — or never being born — I'd choose never being born. We were created to carry a loss. A loss that no human being should have to endure."
Even those who reach their biological fathers often remain unfulfilled, says Dr. Jamie Grifo, a past president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Ms. Clark has said that although she has been successful in contacting her sperm-donor father, communication has been sparse.
Another issue many donor offspring must contend with is not knowing critical family medical history. The medical screening process today is stricter than it used to be, however, each sperm bank has its own requirements and procedures for sperm donors. In general, a sperm donor must be between the ages of 18 and 44, were not themselves adopted and must be free of significant illnesses. They must also not have a family history of genetic disease.
Often, the donor will fill out a thorough questionnaire about personal and family medical history and will undergo a full physical with blood testing. Donors will also be screened for current infectious disease, sexually transmitted disease and the most common genetic problems sing a process approved by the FDA, the ASRM, the CDC and the American Association of Tissue Banks. While this procedure is thorough based on what we currently know, medical research learns new information about health and genetics every day.
Some sperm banks do have a procedure for this. In Greenawalt’s case, for example, she requested a medical update, which her donor father has complied with.
Ms. Clark, although an activist to stop anonymous sperm donation, accepts that artificial insemination can be a blessing for some parents. However, she hopes more will be done to assist the donor offspring with emotional and medical needs. She also encourages families to tell their children the truth early about their conception. “The most damaging thing I’ve seen is when parents wait to tell,” she said.

Brittany Murphy Death Ruled Pneumonia Complicated by Anemia

The LA County coroner’s office has completed it’s investigation into the December 20th death of actress Brittany Murphy. Officials have ruled her death as accidental as a result of community acquired pneumonia complicated by an iron deficiency anemia and multiple drug intoxication.
Murphy, 32, went into cardiac arrest at her home in the Hollywood Hills and was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Assistant Chief Ed Winter told PEOPLE Magazine that the actress’ death was preventable. “Murphy was planning on seeing a doctor, but she unfortunately passed away before she did. This was a case of a person with pneumonia who was anemic who was taking medication when she should’ve been getting medical treatment.”
Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious illnesses, but unfortunately remains the seveth leading cause of death in the United States. About four to five million cases occur each year, with about 25% requiring hospitalization. It is usually acquired by inhalation of a pathogenic organism, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae, into the lung, but can also result from a secondary bacteremia, such as a urinary tract infection.
According to a study published in the journal CHEST, diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased susceptibility to infection and increased morbidity and mortality. Patients with diabetes who contract pneumonia are associated with having a less postive prognosis due to an increase in pleural effusion – an accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity. Brittany Murphy had type 1 diabetes.
Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. It is most prevalent in women of child-bearing age and can be caused by an increased loss of blood, poor absorption of iron by the body, or too little iron in the diet. Among the prescription medications in Ms. Murphy’s nightstand was a prescription pain killer called Vicoprofen, which she was taking for severe menstrual cramps. Heavy menstrual bleeding can cause the blood loss that leads to iron deficiency anemia.
Ms. Murphy was buried in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. Hopefully, her tragic situation will underscore the importance of seeking medical help for health conditions before they cause harm.