From Belgium via US to Cameroon

Denis (right) with teachers in computer room.

Chemists Without Borders president Bego Gerber believes that “The Power is in the Network”. 

A case in point: In January this year he sent me a quick e-mail telling me about Marijke De Vos from Belgium. She had participated in Chemists Without Borders bi-monthly call-ins and had mentioned that she raises money for a school project in Cameroon. Fast forward: In June I met her collaborator Denis Mudi Tanto in Bamenda/Cameroon. He took me to his village of Binshua (Nkambe) Donga Mantung Division Cameroon via an eight hour drive towards the Nigerian border. Denis arranged for me to pay a visit to SAMACCOLSchool Campus. Denis envisions collaborating with AIDSfreeAFRICA to establish a teaching chemistry laboratory. 

500 children received worm medicine and vitamin A

 

A campaign organized in time for my arrival provided micronutrients for over 500 children. I had an opportunity to pass on a donation of Worm medicine and vitamin A from Vitamin Angels/US to the St. Patrick Catholic Health Centre in Binshua. The continuity of this new program is ensured by connecting the Binshua health centers staff with AIDSfreeAFRICA country representative, Mr. Polycarp Nji fromEsu/Cameroon.

Marijke (left) and me (right) saying bye at train station

By July I had an opportunity to meet Marijke in Belgium. We proudly showed off our traditional Cameroonian dresses while Marijke’s husband prepared a delicious dinner for the entire extended family, who came to meet me. 

The future will tell what we can cook up together for the benefit of Binshua's school children. 

       

Cadmium contaminated rice

As some of you may have heard last month, Cadmium was found to have contaminated rice in China. There was an interesting article about it in the Bloomberg News: 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-13/china-to-survey-level-of-soil-pollution-nationwide-xinhua-says.html

Human pollution is believed to be the cause.  This has understandably caused public outrage and spurred a nationwide project to determine the level of 78 elements in top soil and deeper soil levels. Bloomberg also mentions that according to a Xinhua report, China's land ministry previously stated that testing had found abnormally high levels of cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic in parts of the mid-and lower-tributaries of the Yangtze River.

Safety & Effectiveness of Triclosan in Household Products

I saw this interesting article about the antibacterial ingredient triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol)  by CBS news.   http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57582621/does-antibacterial-soap-cause-more-harm-than-good-fda-to-decide-after-four-decades/ 

Triclosan is in all sorts of household products including antibacterial hand soap, acne wash, mouthwash, and even toothpaste.   Although used in household products for 40 years, the FDA has yet to decide if triclosan is actually effective as an antibacterial ingredient or safe for those that use these products.  It appears some recent animal studies are showing an increased risk of hormone related problems such as infertility and early puberty.  I’ll be interested to see what they decide.