hc-news@list.hc-sc.gc.ca

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Health Canada News Digest for March 2008

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Spotlights for March 2008

Environmental Contaminants
Environmental contaminants are substances that, when accidentally or
deliberately introduced into the environment, may have the potential to
harm people, wildlife and plants. Health Canada works jointly with
Environment Canada to assess the potential risks to human health posed
by new and existing substances in Canada under the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). For more on this, please
visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/contaminants/index_e.html

National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month. Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating
is designed to help Canadians make wise food choices. The Food Guide
translates the science of healthy eating into a practical pattern of
food choices that meets nutrient needs, promotes health and minimizes
the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. For more on this, please
visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index_e.html

Turn off the car!
Idling your engine is bad for you, the air... and your car! To read the
article, please visit the Canadian Health Network (CHN) at:

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It’s Your Health - What’s New

Sodium
Sodium is a nutrient found in table salt and many other foods. While the
body needs some sodium to function, too much may lead to high blood
pressure, a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney
disease. Most Canadians consume more sodium than may be good for their
health. For more information go to:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/sodium_e.html

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The News Digest

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For the most recent warnings and advisories from Health Canada, visit:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2008/index_e.html

For the most recent headlines from Health Canada, visit:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/index_e.html

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Warnings released in February 2008

1. Health Canada Completes Safety Review of Losec (omeprazole) and
Nexium (esomeprazole) (2008 February 27)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2008/2008_34_e.html
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2. Health Canada reviewing issue of distant toxin spread potentially
associated with Botox and Botox Cosmetic (2008 February 20)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2008/2008_32_e.html
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3. Fentanyl Transdermal Pain Patches recalled due to health risk (2008
February 14)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2008/2008_29_e.html

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Headlines for February 2008

1. Government of Canada continues to challenge industry on management of
chemicals (2008 February 18)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_31_e.html
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2. The Government of Canada is getting things done for Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians (2008 February 18)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_30_e.html
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3. Government of Canada announces new progress in reducing wait times in
Nova Scotia (2008 February 8)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_28_e.html
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4. Minister Clement Appoints President and New Member to the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research Governing Council (2008 February 5)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_18_e.html
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5. Minister Clement Re-Appoints Members to the Hazardous Materials
Information Review Commission's Council of Governors (2007 February 5)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_17_e.html
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6. Minister Clement Announces Re-Appointment of Dr. Anne Lavack to the
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (2008 February 4)

For more information, visit
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_16_e.html

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