This Halloween

I realize I've been somewhat MIA this month, but I expect to be back to more frequent posting after the election! For now, I want to point out two things that are going on this Halloween.
1. Anyone who has read this blog knows that food allergies are a special interest of mine, so I'm excited to announce a new website designed to help allergic kids and their families: AllergyFreeHalloween.org. Join the effort and give out treats this Halloween that are allergy-friendly. Visit the site to download a door sign indicating your household's allergy-friendly status, learn about "safe" treats, and join a Facebook community.
2. Bisphenol A will be in the news again Friday when the Food and Drug Administration's Science Board convenes a public meeting on BPA. If anything interesting happens, you know this is the place to find out.

Chelation Study Scuttled

Remember the story about chelation, the controversial autism treatment that federal scientists were talking about studying? Well, the proposed study is officially off the table. Not only that, but a second chelation study, this one for heart attack survivors, is under investigation. These are tricky issues--the studies could be useful, but clearly the safety concerns are giving people pause.

Born Big? Don't Skip the Breast Exams

This one is fascinating: Baby girls who are heavier and longer when they are born seem to be at a greater risk for breast cancer when they get older. The risk goes up as the birth size goes up. It's crazy to think that your birth weight and length could tell you something about what your health might look like decades later.