Residents Warned Not To Eat Shellfish From Half Moon Bay And Monterey Bay
Elsewhere, potential health concerns are raised over a renewable energy plant planned for Orange County. And, the San Francisco Chronicle reports on wearables' role in research efforts.
San Francisco Chronicle:
Health Warning For Shellfish From Half Moon Bay, Monterey Bay
State public health officials have issued a warning that consumers should avoid eating rock crabs caught in Half Moon Bay and bivalve shellfish and rock crabs caught in Monterey Bay. Crabs and bivalve shellfish caught in waters south of Pigeon Point and north of Monterey County’s Cypress Point were found to have dangerous levels of domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness in humans who eat them. Rock crabs caught in Half Moon Bay had domoic acid levels of more than 10 times the level that requires the warning — 30 parts per million, according to the state Department of Public Health. Officials warned that dangerous levels of domoic acid were also detected in mussels, clams and the viscera of scallops caught in the area. (Ho, 8/21)
Orange County Register:
Bad Energy? Some Locals Upset Over Proposed Renewable Energy Plant In Anaheim
Some residents within several miles of a proposed renewable energy plant that would convert food waste into clean electricity are questioning whether the idea smells. Carlsbad-based Anaergia proposes to build a facility where daily hundreds of tons of processed organic waste from food scraps, carrot peelings to rotten potatoes, would be turned into electricity and possibly clean vehicle fuel. ... “It’s a dump,” Anaheim Hills’ Judy Morton recently told the Anaheim City Council. “Because it is so close to home, I do not feel comfortable with my health. ...When you put a place like this near homes your property (value) dumps quickly. They cannot equivocally say this is not going to stink.” (Pimentel, 8/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
How Fitbit And Others Have The Pulse Of Health Research
Consumer activity trackers like Fitbit are increasing becoming a tool used by researchers in clinical trials like [Joe] Casserly’s, which look at activities that could stop diseases from progressing or recurring. More than 100 studies listed on the federal government’s trial-tracking website feature Fitbits, with smaller numbers relying on the Apple Watch or Jawbone, Garmin, Pebble and other devices. Wearables have made their way into the precision-oriented world of clinical trials in part because patients like them, they’re easy to use and more convenient for participants than coming to a clinic to be monitored. While the devices may lack clinical-grade accuracy, particularly when it comes to heart-rate technology and tracking calorie burning, they are considered far more accurate that self-reported data. (Colliver, 8/21)