Plastics

cross posted from my main blog:

 

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🚨Massive MAHA win today on phthalate chemicals!

The Trump EPA just completed our TSCA risk evaluation of phthalates; the most comprehensive assessment of phthalates ever conducted by EPA. We are now announcing that, following gold standard science, promoting radical…

— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) December 31, 2025

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Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human HealthP

thalates are a series of widely used chemicals that demonstrate to be endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health. Phthalates can be found in most products that have contact with plastics during producing, packaging, or delivering. Despite the short half-lives in tissues, chronic exposure to phthalates will adversely influence the endocrine system and functioning of multiple organs, which has negative long-term impacts on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development, and reproductive systems in both young children and adolescents.

essentially, these are some of the chemicals in plastics that leech out into the enfvironment: or directly to you (plastic bottles leech it to you).

and these chemicals induce problems, including metabololic syndrome, aka pre diabetes and obesity.

Grok summary because it is easier to understand than my descripgionn or the description on many medical sites like the one I posted above:

What Are Phthalates?Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals primarily used as plasticizers to increase the flexibility, durability, and longevity of plastics, especially polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Common examples include:

• DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate)
• DBP (dibutyl phthalate)
• BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate)
• DEP (diethyl phthalate)
• DINP (diisononyl phthalate)

They are also used as solvents in cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care products to retain scents or improve texture.

Examples of phthalate chemical structures (e.g., DEHP, DBP, and others).Sources of Human ExposurePhthalates are ubiquitous due to their widespread use and ability to leach from products. Primary routes include ingestion, inhalation, dermal absorption, and medical procedures.

Source Category	Common Examples	Primary Exposure Route
Plastics & Packaging	Food containers, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, toys	Ingestion (leaching into food), inhalation (dust)
Personal Care Products	Fragranced lotions, shampoos, perfumes, nail polish	Dermal absorption, inhalation
Food Processing	Gloves, tubing in factories	Ingestion (contamination of processed foods)
Medical Devices	IV tubing, blood bags	Direct (during procedures)
Household Items	Paints, adhesives, air fresheners	Inhalation, dust

Visuals showing common sources like cosmetics, plastics, and pollution pathways.Nearly all humans have detectable phthalate metabolites in urine, with higher levels in children and women due to product use.Impacts on Human HealthPhthalates are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfering with hormone systems. They have short half-lives but chronic low-level exposure causes cumulative effects. Vulnerable groups include fetuses, infants, and children.Key health concerns, supported by epidemiological reviews and animal studies:

• Reproductive Health — Strong evidence links prenatal exposure to reduced anogenital distance in boys, lower semen quality, altered hormone levels (e.g., testosterone), endometriosis, and fertility issues in adults.
• Developmental Effects — Associations with neurodevelopmental issues (e.g., ADHD, autism traits), lower IQ, behavioral problems, and childhood asthma.
• Metabolic & Other — Links to obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, thyroid disruption, and potential cancers (e.g., breast).
• Mechanisms — Anti-androgenic effects, oxidative stress, epigenetic changes, and interference with nuclear receptors.

Infographics summarizing health effects and exposure risks.While some industry sources emphasize benefits (e.g., in medical devices saving lives) and low exposure risks, scientific consensus from bodies like the EPA and reviews highlights unreasonable risks at real-world levels, especially cumulatively.Regulations and Trends (as of 2026)

• US Federal → CPSIA bans 8 phthalates (>0.1%) in children's toys/childcare articles. EPA is evaluating risks for additional phthalates under TSCA, with recent findings of unreasonable risks in industrial uses.
• State-Level → Bans/restrictions in cosmetics (e.g., Washington), food packaging, and toys (e.g., New York effective 2025).
• FDA → Revoked many food contact authorizations; monitoring remaining uses.
• Global → EU has stricter limits; some countries ban specific phthalates in more products.

Exposure to some phthalates has declined due to substitutions, but replacements (e.g., DINCH) need monitoring.Reducing Exposure

• Choose phthalate-free or fragrance-free personal care products.
• Avoid heating food in plastic containers; use glass/stainless steel.
• Minimize processed foods and vinyl products.
• Dust/vacuum regularly to reduce household accumulation.

Overall, while phthalates provide practical benefits in plastics, substantial evidence supports minimizing exposure, particularly for reproductive and child health. Ongoing research and regulation aim to balance utility with safety.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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one problem: how does one replace this chemical without a huge increase in prices and maybe replacing it with something else that ha it's own dangers?

Dengue and Chikungunya are back

 

Two of Joy's relaives who live in nearby Bulacan caught it: Originally they thought it was Dengue but the test was negative. The symptoms are similar (everything hurts) but now they are still having pain in large joints.

From Grok: 

Chikungunya in the Philippines (as of late 2025)Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes—the same vectors that spread dengue and Zika.

 

It is endemic in the Philippines, with cases often peaking during the rainy season (June–September) due to increased mosquito breeding.

 

Current Situation (2025)According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Disease Outbreak News update, as of August 16, 2025, the Philippines reported 628 confirmed chikungunya cases — a 78% decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (2,886 cases). This indicates a significant decline in transmission this year, with effective public health responses (e.g., case investigation, vector control, and community engagement) containing small clusters quickly. No deaths were reported in association with these cases.

 

Chikungunya cases are generally low in number compared to dengue (which saw over 123,000 cases and hundreds of deaths in the first half of 2025). The virus circulates sporadically, with occasional localized outbreaks, but no nationwide epidemic in recent years.

 

The Philippines remains at elevated risk for chikungunya, as noted by the U.S. CDC, even without active large outbreaks. Travelers and residents should take precautions.

 

Symptoms and Treatment

 

Symptoms typically appear 4–7 days after infection and include:High fever Severe joint pain (often debilitating and long-lasting) Muscle pain Headache Fatigue Nausea Rash The disease is usually self-limiting, with most recovering fully, though joint pain can persist for months.

that is what they are complaining about now that they are over their acute phase. 

 

There is no specific antiviral treatment; management focuses on symptom relief (painkillers, rest, hydration). Vaccines are approved in some countries but not widely available or used in the Philippines.

PreventionThe Philippine Department of Health (DOH) promotes the 4S strategy (enhanced for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika):Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites (e.g., empty water containers, tires). Self-protection (use repellents, wear long sleeves/pants). Seek early medical consultation if symptoms appear. Support fogging in high-risk areas. Additional tips: Eliminate standing water around homes, use bed nets, and avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).If you're in the Philippines or planning to travel there, stay vigilant—especially in urban or rural areas with poor drainage during rainy periods. For the latest official updates, check the DOH or WHO websites.

History of influenza

everyone knows about the 1917 influenza epidemic, but there were other influenza like epidemics before and after that. 

 So anyway, I was listening to this discussion about Jack the Ripper, and one person who was suspected by those who like conspiracy theories is a Royal son (at 22 minutes), and they mention that he was in Scotland during the time and he later died of influenza in the 1890s influenza epidemic.

there was a major flu epidemic in the 1890s? Sort of forgotten today that influenza is a recurring illness.

Hmm. sort of overlooked that lotss of influenza epidemics out there  

As for the 188990 epidemic here on Wikipedia, 

It was the last great pandemic of the 19th century, and is among the deadliest pandemics in history.[2][3] The pandemic killed about 1 million people out of a world population of about 1.5 billion (0.067% of population).[4][5] The most reported effects of the pandemic took place from October 1889 to December 1890, with recurrences in March to June 1891, November 1891 to June 1892, the northern winter of 1893–1894, and early 1895. According to researchers' estimates, excess mortality from Russian influenza in the Russian Empire for the period 1889–1890 could be from 60,000 to 90,000 people, with lethality from the virus, a little more than 0.2%.[6]

more here:

A partial listing of particularly violent outbreaks likely to have been influenza include one in 1510...In 1580, another pandemic started in Asia, then spread to Africa, Europe, and even America,,, 

In 1688, influenza struck England, Ireland, and Virginia; in all these places “the people dyed … as in a plague” (Duffy, 1953). A mutated or new virus continued to plague Europe and America again in 1693 and Massachusetts in 1699...

In London in 1847 and 1848, more people died from influenza than from the terrible cholera epidemic of 1832. In 1889 and 1890, a great and violent worldwide pandemic struck again ...

read the entire article for a background of repeated epidemics of influenza type epidemics.

there is a question in some of the articles I perused wondering if that the reason the 1918 influenza was weaker in China was that they had partial immunity from previous infections.

A similar idea could explain why in 1917 it killed the young adults not just the elderly was because the middle aged and elderly may have had partial immunity due to previous infection in this earlier epidemic.

One sometimes forgets about previous epidemics.

One of my earliest memories was the doctor making a house call for my mother who had Asian flu, which was a major epidemic of 1957

Sine things to remember when you read hysteria about the next swine flu or bird flu epidemics threatening the world.

DATA?

pass the garlic

from Instapundit:
Scientists Say Garlic Mouthwash Works As Well as Popular Antiseptics.

Garlic has long been used in Asia for remedies: 

In either Tale of Gengi or one of the women's diaries from the Heian period in Japan (1000 AD) one lady tells her lover not to visit because she has a cold and smells of garlic.

From AI:

AI Overview While specific details on the use of garlic for cold medicine in the Heian period (794-1185) of Japan are limited in the provided search results, the use of garlic as a traditional remedy for various ailments, including respiratory issues and common illnesses, was a widespread practice in traditional Asian medicine and ancient cultures globally. During the Heian period, the Japanese likely incorporated traditional Chinese medicine principles, which heavily utilized garlic for its "warming and invigorating" antimicrobial properties to fight off the first stages of colds and flu. A traditional Japanese remedy involving garlic-infused sake for colds and flu has been passed down through families, suggesting a long history of this practice in Japan. Traditional Uses of Garlic for Colds (General Asian and Folk Medicine) Across various traditional systems of medicine, a number of preparations have been used, many of which can be recreated today as home remedies: Garlic Honey Syrup: Crushed garlic cloves combined with raw honey. The mixture is left to sit (and potentially ferment) for a period, with the resulting syrup taken by the teaspoon for sore throat relief and immune support. Garlic Sake Tonic: Crushed garlic cloves and sometimes ginger are added to sake and allowed to ferment over a period of months or even years. When sick, the mixture is warmed slightly and taken as a shot. Garlic Tea: Garlic cloves are boiled in water, and the resulting liquid is sometimes mixed with honey and lemon juice to create a soothing, decongestant drink. Immune-Boosting Broth: Crushed garlic is added to broths during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing the volatile compounds to be released while providing hydration and nutrients. Modern Scientific Perspective While traditional uses are extensive, modern scientific evidence provides a nuanced view: Garlic contains allicin, a compound with antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which is maximized when the garlic is crushed and allowed to sit for several minutes before use. Some studies suggest garlic supplements may reduce the frequency and duration of cold symptoms, but more high-quality research is needed to confirm its effectiveness conclusively. Garlic is generally considered a complementary approach to modern medicine and not a standalone cure. Note: If using garlic as a home remedy, it's best to consult a healthcare professional, especially if taking medications like blood thinners, as garlic can increase the tendency for bleeding.

covid report nonsense in the UK