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Tennis star "heartbroken" as injury puts life on hold

Aussie tennis star Storm Hunter has suffered a devastating injury just one day before the nation's qualifying tie against Mexico. The 29-year-old has had to put her Olympic dream and plans to crack the world’s top 100 on hold, after she fell and ruptured her right Achilles tendon. The incident occurred on Thursday’s final practice session for Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup qualification tie against Mexico on Friday. Hunter took to Instagram to announce the bad news, with a picture of herself during one of the games. “I am devastated and heartbroken but incredibly grateful to be around the team and I know I have a great group of people around me that will help me get back on court as soon as possible,” she wrote. “Thank you so much everyone for the messages of support and love, I’m excited to stay for the tie and support our Aussie girls.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pE4RDPdpG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5pE4RDPdpG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STORM HUNTER (@stormcsanders)</a> </div> </blockquote> In a following update, she shared a photo of herself in crutches holding a bouquet of flowers that she received from the rival team. "Thank you team Mexico for the flowers" she captioned the photo, with a heart emoji and the Mexican flag. Recovery time for a ruptured Achilles is at least four months, but can take up to a year depending on the injury. This means that the tennis star is set to miss the Olympic Games in Paris later this year, where she could've featured in all three disciplines. She was set to team up with Ellen Perez for the clash with Mexico, but has since been replaced with Daria Saville. “Storm went to take off for a ball and unfortunately has sustained a very serious injury, so she’s going to be getting an MRI tonight,” Team captain Sam Stosur said on Thursday. “Obviously the tie still continues and we’ve made a decision. Dasha’s going to go in place of her to play tomorrow, but obviously we’re all rallying behind Storm and wishing her the very, very best and the quickest recovery possible.” Hunter has had a career-high singles mark of 114 at the start of April, and finished 2023 as the world No.1 in doubles alongside Elise Mertens. Images: Instagram

Caring

"We've all gone": Why Jackie O stormed off set

Jackie O Henderson has marched out of KIIS FM in the middle of The Kyle and Jackie O show, after finding out that the station has the highest gender pay gap disparity across Australian radio. “Southern Cross Austereo has a disgraceful 5.9% pay gap. At Nova and Smooth FM it is even worse, six per cent." Kyle Sandilands told listeners on Tuesday. "But unfortunately, the number one spot is at KIIS FM, – at the top of the tree with a 12% pay gap disparity.” Sandilands, who famously fought for Henderson to secure equal pay on their radio program, then brought on one of the show’s producers Pete Deppeler and another female KIIS FM producer, who revealed she was only being paid half of what Deppeler was. “Are you freaking joking? Why is Peter getting that much money? I’m so angry about that, it makes my blood boil,” Henderson replied. She then left the studios with all her female colleagues. “We’ve all gone,” she said. "We are just here with the fellas. I don’t know whether I am enjoying this, bring the girls back!” Sandilands told listeners. On Tuesday, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency published the gender pay gap for more than 5,000 Australian companies. This was done after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ordered the information to be made public for the first time ever, so the data can be compared within and across industries. The new data revealed that the national gap for total remuneration sits at 19 per cent and the median Australian female worker is taking home $18,461 less than their male counterpart. Despite a few criticisms on Albanese's decision to publicise this data, Workplace Minister Tony Burke has said that releasing this data is effective. “People on this side know that releasing that sort of data is effective and you will only find in the other side of politics anyone arguing that it is useless,‘’ he said. “The days of secretly paying women less than men are now over.” Images: Kyle and Jacki O Show

Money & Banking

"I'm not myself": The real reason why Kyle Sandilands stormed off the show

Jackie O Henderson has revealed the real reason why her co-host, Kyle Sandilands, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/kyle-sandilands-storms-out-of-studio-after-argument-with-jackie-o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">walked out</a> just 11 minutes into their hit breakfast show on Tuesday morning. The shock jock was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday, so Jackie O had to explain his absence. One of their producers revealed that Sandilands had been "struggling with his shoulder." "He sent me a message saying, 'Honey, I'm so sorry. I'm on medication and I'm not myself. I'm in so much pain," Henderson said. "I actually feel so bad for him," admitted the radio star. Sandilands had recently injured his rotator cuff and was prescribed Oxycodone to manage the pain. A few of the side effects of using the painkiller can include light-headedness, confusion and unusual tiredness or weakness. Henderson also admitted that she may have pushed him off the edge during their discussion about Covid-19 yesterday, as she had reportedly cussed him out. "Calling him a c**ksucker was the turning point," she said. Their argument had escalated into name-calling before Sandilands stormed out. Sandilands had previously used the derogatory term to attack newsreader Brooklyn Ross, and he couldn't when his co-host used the same insult back at him. This incident comes almost a week into the radio duo signing a record-breaking $200 million 10-year deal on air. Image: Kyle and Jackie O Show/ Instagram

Caring

Kyle Sandilands storms out of studio after argument with Jackie O

Kyle Sandilands has stormed off his hit KIIS FM radio program after an argument with his co-host Jackie O Henderson over Covid-19. Sandilands stormed off just 11 minutes into the show on Tuesday morning, after bringing up that NSW Premier Chris Minns had cancelled his appearance on their show after testing positive to the virus. The argument sparked when Henderson downplayed the seriousness of the virus and said it was "just like the flu". Sandilands hit back saying that Henderson would probably still isolate if she caught the virus, considering how cautious she was in the past. "I'm allowed to change my opinion," Henderson shot back. Sandilands then argued that she should have some "consistency" in her opinions, before declaring that he was going home and storming out of the studio. "Well that escalated quickly," a stunned Henderson said. Not long after their Executive producer Pedro Vitola confirmed that the radio host had gone home. "What's happening today?" Henderson asked. "I'm telling you this full moon, it messes with people," she added referring to what astrologers call the full moon in Gemini, which they believe is a period when people are a bit more restless and rife with misunderstandings. It is unclear whether Henderson also went home as it is reported that the show has been playing repeats of old segments. Images: Instagram/ KIIS FM

Music

Cruise ship forced to turn back after 100 passengers injured in storm

The Spirit of Discovery cruise ship was forced to turn back after around 100 passengers were injured during a massive storm. Cruise company Saga have said that most of the injuries were minor, but five people had to be taken to hospital when the ship returned to England on Tuesday local time. One passenger told BBC News that a few passengers "feared for their lives", when the storm hit the ship in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast. "People were writing texts to their loved ones in case we capsized," they added. "The tone of voice in our captain... he was physically scared. We had crew crying. We had many passengers in awful states of fear." The passenger also claimed that that injuries included broken bones and cuts, with reports of furniture flying around and people being knocked off their feet, as the ship stopped moving and veered dramatically to one side as part of its safety manoeuvre. Another passenger, 75-year-old Jan Bendall, told the BBC that she and her husband were "holding on for dear life", and that it was overall a frightening experience. "It was quite frightening, I'm not somebody who frightens easily," Bendall said. "We were lucky - we're quite able-bodied, but I think some of the older people and people in their own cabins were quite worried," she added. The ship itself holds almost 1000 passengers and holds cruises for people over 50. Saga told the BBC that there had been "very limited" damage and the ship had "remained safe at all times." "While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we want to offer our sincere apologies to all those affected who are now safely on their way home in calmer seas," the spokesperson said. Images: Nine News/ Facebook

Travel Trouble

"We don't storm planes, this is not TV": Police respond to criticism of Sydney plane bomb threat

A 45-year-old man is facing charges following a prolonged standoff aboard an airplane, which culminated in an arrest at Sydney Airport. Malaysia Airlines flight MH122, carrying 199 passengers and 12 crew members, took off from Sydney Airport at 1.40pm on Monday August 14. However, the flight had to return to the airport's runway at 3.47pm, where it remained stationary for several hours as emergency vehicles stood by. The arrest followed an alleged disturbance caused by a passenger on board. Finally, at around 6.30pm, passengers were able to disembark from the aircraft. The Australian Federal Police have now revealed that the man had made claims of having explosives on the plane. The authorities charged the 45-year-old individual, a resident of Canberra, with making a false statement regarding threats to damage an aircraft of division three, and with failing to comply with safety instructions from cabin crew. Video footage captured within the plane reportedly showed the man, who was carrying a backpack, making threats towards fellow passengers and crew members. During the flight, passengers took to social media to share videos depicting the man raising his voice and displaying aggressive behaviour towards cabin crew and fellow travellers. One passenger named Velutha Parambath shared on social media that approximately 30 minutes after takeoff, the individual began behaving disruptively, even becoming physically confrontational with other passengers. Parambath noted that the man's actions escalated to include preaching about his religious beliefs. He added that the man had something in his hand, and his conversations with the crew were marked by statements like "I'm not afraid of dying" and "I've got things with me," which generated fear among those on board. In the immediate aftermath, criticism emerged from several passengers aboard MH122 regarding the duration it took for the Australian Federal Police to arrest and remove the man from the aircraft once it returned to Sydney. In response, the AFP stated that an evacuation was initiated once it was determined safe for passengers and crew, leading to the man's arrest. The Australian Federal Police took the lead in managing the situation, with the support of the New South Wales Police. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb defended the response, noting the volatile nature of the incident and the unpredictability of the situation. "Given it's a volatile situation and [it's] unpredictable we didn't know the severity of the incident and you have to deal with what we learn about the passenger," she said. "We didn't know if there was a bomb." "I praise the crew for what they did in keeping the passengers calm … to de-escalate the situation to the point that we got this matter resolved in three hours, I think three hours is pretty good. "The protocol in Australia is to negotiate, we don't storm planes, this is not TV, it's not the movies we want to protect the lives of all passengers." The incident caused significant disruptions to domestic travel at Sydney Airport, resulting in the cancellation of 32 flights and delays of up to 90 minutes. NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the concerns about the AFP response and announced a review of the situation while highlighting that the resolution was achieved peacefully. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

How to get rid of dust mites for an allergen-free home

Getting rid of dust mites for good Dust mites are unwelcome guests for anyone, but they are particularly brutal for people with allergies. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips for how to get rid of dust mites. A few household changes and sticking to a cleaning schedule can help you get a handle on the problem right away. And if you’re prone to sneezing, here are the best cleaning products for people with allergies. Taking simple steps to help eliminate these pesky creatures can drastically improve your allergy symptoms. “While dust mites themselves are not harmful to most people, their faeces can trigger allergic reactions in those who suffer from allergies and asthma,” says sleep expert, Martin Seeley. “This includes respiratory problems and skin irritation, and in a worst-case scenario, they can even compromise a person’s immune system.” Learning how to get rid of dust itself or how to clean carpet spills requires some expert know-how too. We gathered the best advice on how to get rid of dust mites. What are dust mites? Invisible to the naked eye, dust mites are microscopic creatures that thrive in warm and humid environments. According to domestic cleaner, “dust mites appear in many homes, especially where there is high humidity and lots of dust.” In other words, basically everyone has at least some dust mites in their home – particularly since dust mites consume dust and dead skin flakes (shed by people and their pets). What do dust mites look like? You can’t see dust mites without a microscope. But if you could see them (or conveniently have a microscope on hand), they are oval and have eight legs. “They are translucent and have a white or cream colour, which also makes them difficult to see against a light background,” Seeley points out. Where do dust mites come from? Dust mites get into the house in a variety of ways. “This includes through ventilation systems, on clothes or furniture, or even on pets,” Doss says. “They thrive in warm and humid environments, so it is important to keep your home dry and dust-free to reduce their presence. How do I know if I have dust mites? One sign of dust mites could simply be your body’s reaction to them in the form of allergy symptoms. “Symptoms that readers should look out for include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes and difficulty breathing,” says Doss. “Dust mites are allergens because they produce proteins in their droppings and bodies, which can cause an allergic reaction when inhaled.” As you begin to react to these allergens, your body releases histamine, a chemical that leads to allergic symptoms such as itching and sneezing. However, another sign of dust mites is the presence of dust itself. “Visible signs of dust mite infestation include dust buildup on surfaces, particularly in areas where people spend a lot of time, such as beds and sofas,” says cleaner, Zak Fleming. How to get rid of dust mites? Despite their size, dust mites can inhabit nearly every surface where people tend to spend a lot of time. Beds and mattresses – plus carpets and upholstered furniture – are just some of the usual suspects hosting dust mites. Here’s what to do about it. Vacuum regularly Many people might not know that dust mites come into the home on clothing or shoes. So vacuuming the floors where dust mites can congregate is a great place to start. “Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture at least once a week,” says Fleming. This will prevent the buildup of both dust and dust mites inside your home. “But be sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter,” he adds. HEPA stands for ‘high-efficiency particulate air,’ and a vacuum with a HEPA filter can trap many very small particles better than other vacuums. “You should also remember to vacuum under your bed, as this is another dust-mite hotspot,” says Seeley. Wash your bedding Dust mites consume dust, much of which contains human skin. So what better place for the dust mites to hang out than between the sheets? Fleming suggests washing bed sheets in hot water at 54° Celsius once a week to ensure you’ve removed all dust mites from the bed’s surface. To be extra careful, also dry your bedding on high heat (always check your sheets special care instructions). All this extra heat will kill the dust mites. While you’re at it, consider cleaning other cloth you regularly come into contact with, like bath towels. Reduce humidity Because dust mites thrive in high humidity, make your home a less tempting environment for them by decreasing your humidity levels. Doss recommends keeping it between 35 per cent and 50 per cent. Architect, Chris Matthias, recommends using a dehumidifier, as this device will remove moisture from the air. “It is nearly impossible to completely eliminate dust mites, as they are a natural part of our environment,” he says. Protect mattresses and pillows “Using dust mite covers on mattresses and pillows creates a barrier between the dust mites and the person sleeping on the bed, reducing allergen exposure,” says Fleming. Keeping a barrier between skin and potential dust mites will help keep those with allergies unaffected by the dust mites. Opt for hypoallergenic covers or a mattress protector. Reconsider your carpeting Instead, choose hardwood or tile floors. While “vacuuming helps to remove dust mites from carpets,” Doss says harder floors are better. With all their porous surfaces, carpets can house dust mites quite easily. “So avoid carpets and rugs if possible,” she says. Get rid of clutter Since dust accumulates in even the oddest of crevices, it’s wise to reduce dust-collecting clutter. “Limit the amount of clutter and dust collectors in your home, such as books, magazines and stuffed animals,” says Doss. And once you’ve gotten rid of the extra stuff, make sure to clean all those nooks and crannies you’ve uncovered. Lower room temperatures While not always ideal for people who tend to feel cold, retaining a cool temperature – less than 20°Celsius – in your home will keep dust mites from multiplying. Keeping the environment unwelcome helps keep their numbers low enough that they can’t spread, says Matthias. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/how-to-get-rid-of-dust-mites-for-an-allergen-free-home?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Bluey toast takes the internet by storm

While some have a hard enough time trying to make toast without setting off the fire alarm, others are always dreaming just that little bit bigger. Like the parents who call themselves the Bluey Mums on Facebook, who have found a source of endless entertainment in the form of Bluey toast - or more specifically, Bluey’s younger sister, Bingo. Their inspiration comes from a cookbook titled Bluey and Bingo’s Fancy Restaurant Cookbook: Yummy recipes, for real life. And with an ingredients list that seems simple enough on the surface - toast, some fruit, and a spread of their choice - many set to work trying to spoil their children with a fun-filled breakfast plate. However, as many soon came to learn, it can often be better to stick to what we know. Or at the very least to remember that practice makes perfect, and sometimes our first attempts are better served as a warning. And for the Bluey Mums, sharing became the theme of the day, with members finding bucketloads of amusement in posting their creations with each other. Some were spot on, and others were a little more abstract - but all were valiant efforts, and at the end of the day, came only from the best intentions. “Our ‘attempt’ at Bingo toast,' wrote one mum, Madison, alongside her images of what the toast should have looked like, and what she’d managed to come up with. Her masterpiece wasn’t far off the intended portrait, just a little off in proportion, but it was enough to draw laughter from the crowd, and some good-natured commentary at the shocked character on the plate. “Bingo has seen things,” someone declared. “Looks better than the picture I'd say!” wrote one supportive user. Meanwhile, others were happy just to know what it meant to their children, with one even getting a surprising - and welcome - result out of it all. “I have zero skills to do this stuff! But my daughter loved it and ate all the bread,” she wrote, before adding that her daughter had been “refusing bread for a while”. “My daughter loved it though,” another wrote of her own attempt, “and that’s all that matters.” One parent, who shared her creation to Reddit, was met with similar enthusiasm from commenters, with one writing “expectation vs reality … And the reality ain't that bad! Nice”. “Now do Muffin!” encouraged one, eager for another round of terrific toast. Images: Bluey Mums / Facebook, Reddit

Food & Wine

What does the dust in your home mean for your health?

You vacuum it, sweep it and wipe it off your furniture. But do you know what it actually is – and how it may affect your health? Don’t feel bad if you’re clueless about your dust. Scientists are not that far ahead of you in terms of understanding the sources and health risks of indoor air and particles. That’s an issue, because people spend a lot of time indoors. Indeed, the average American stays within four walls for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500165">almost 90% of their day</a>. So knowing more about how your indoor environment affects your health is vital. To better quantify environmental influences on health, researchers have begun using <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyr236">an “exposome” approach</a>, which considers every last environmental exposure an individual experiences over a lifetime. Your own exposome includes everything from secondhand smoke when you were a baby to lead exposure in your childhood to particulate matter if you grew up near a major roadway or industrial facility. Dust is a big component of the exposome. What particles are you inhaling and ingesting as you go about your day? I'm a geochemist, and my lab studies environmental health at the household level. Along with environmental scientist <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=d_ZBfxYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao">Mark Taylor</a> at Macquarie University and other international partners, I’m conducting a research project on the indoor exposome. Instead of dumping their vacuum canister into the trash, citizen-scientists put it into a sealable bag and send it off to our lab for analysis. This project, called <a href="https://www.360dustanalysis.com/">360 Dust Analysis</a>, is one of a number of recent efforts that are starting to crack the code on indoor dust. <h2>The dust is coming from inside</h2> About one-third of household dust is created inside your home. The components differ depending on the construction and age of your home, the climate and the cleaning and smoking habits of occupants, so there’s no standard formula for dust. First, you and your pets generate some of that detritus. Sloughed off human skin cells are part of the debris. So are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2010.05.042">pet skin cells</a>, called dander, and dust mites that feed on skin – both of which are strong human allergens. Overall, you can be sure that <a href="http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1966870,00.html">your dust also includes some</a> decomposed insects, food debris (especially in the kitchen), fibers from carpet, bedding and clothes, and particulate matter from smoking and cooking. We hope our 360 Dust Analysis program will help solve more of the riddle of just what else goes into dust. So far, so gross. And there are humanmade chemicals in the mix as well. For decades, manufacturers have chemically treated clothing and furniture with flame retardants and surface protectants. In fact, for some time, the <a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Childrens-Sleepwear-Regulations">flame retardants were required by law</a> in furniture and children’s sleepwear. But then researchers started identifying them in human blood and tissue, and even newborns showed <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b01793">evidence of exposure in utero</a>. How did these molecules end up in people’s bodies? Mostly via inhalation or ingestion of indoor dust. <h2>Health concerns about what we put in our homes</h2> Here’s one place new science and new techniques are starting to raise serious health red flags. A flurry of research is currently underway to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-018-0113-2">determine the potential toxicity</a> of these chemicals in the human system. Scientists are also developing new techniques <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2017.9">using wearables</a>, such as <a href="https://greensciencepolicy.org/monitoring-chemicals-in-our-environment-with-wristbands/">silicone wrist bands</a>, to determine the relationship between these dust sources and how much of them winds up in a person’s body. A pet-free and fiber-free indoor environment would be one way to reduce the amount and potential toxicity of indoor dust. But there’s an additional concern that’s emerged from recent research: the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Research has linked several indoor disinfection products to antimicrobial resistance. At least one study found that elevated levels of triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent in hand soaps, were correlated with high levels of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b00262">antibiotic-resistant genes in dust</a>, presumably from bacteria that live in your home and dust. This relationship is due to repeated partial, but not complete, destruction of bacteria and other microbes that go on to grow and proliferate, carrying resistant genes. <h2>The dust that comes in from outside</h2> To get a full picture of dust sources and hazards, you need to consider the other two-thirds of the indoor dust load, which <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/es9003735">actually come from outside</a>. This dirt and dust is tracked in on shoes and on the feet and fur of pets. It blows in through open windows and doorways and vents. And it <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/es9003735">ranges in size and composition</a>from gritty silt to irritating pollen to the finest of soil particles. One of the most widespread health issues related to outdoor sources is lead. This potent neurotoxin has <a href="http://doi.org/10.12952/journal.elementa.000059">accumulated to sometimes extremely high levels</a> in soils and dust after a century of emissions from industrial sources, vehicles burning leaded gasoline and degraded lead-based paints. The hazard is particularly great in cities and near mining or other industrial point sources of lead. Lead-contaminated soils, and dust generated from them, are tightly linked to <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/24927721">lead poisoning of children</a>. Owing to their active neural development, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.med.55.091902.103653">lead can permanently disable exposed children</a>. In the drive to prevent lead poisoning, scientists have focused on what they call point sources: relatively easily identifiable things like peeling paint and lead water pipes. Soil and dust exposures are less well known. Researchers have recently found correlations between <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/es303854c">lead in air and blood lead levels in children</a>. Now several lab groups are taking a careful look not just at exposures in outdoor settings but <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/es9003735">also at how lead may seep into homes</a> and become part of the indoor exposome. <h2>Limit what you can</h2> Much as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/science.187.4176.535">Freon in refrigerants and other products</a> caused the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6710-0_2">degradation of Earth’s protective stratospheric ozone layer</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.07.010">bisphenol A, a plasticizer used in bottles</a> and other consumer products ended up in people’s bodies, there’s concern among scientists that “better living through chemistry” might result in a string of <a href="https://www.ehn.org/chemical-exposures-are-small-doses-harm-2518446452.html">unintended human health consequences</a> in the realm of dust. Taking off outdoor clothing like jackets and adopting a shoeless household policy is one way to reduce indoor exposure to outdoor pollutants. <a href="https://www.ciriscience.org/a_96-Study-Reveals-High-Bacteria-Levels-on-Footwear">Shoe bottoms are gross</a>: 96% of shoes have traces of feces bacteria on their soles, including the antimicrobial resistant C. diff, and over 90% of these bacteria are transferred to floors. Add in cancer-causing <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10408444.2018.1528208">toxins from asphalt road residue</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/23273747.2016.1148803">endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals</a>, and the recommendation becomes even clearer – no outdoor shoes inside. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-dust-in-your-home-mean-for-your-health-116565" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home Hints & Tips

"This is crazy": Ellen shares worrying update from storm-lashed LA

Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres shared an update on Twitter showing the intensity of the wild storms hitting Los Angeles. The 64-year-old gave an up close and personal look at how the storm was wreaking havoc near her Montecito mansion. "Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone," she wrote. The video shows DeGeneres bundled up in a grey raincoat and hoodie as the rising floodwaters in the creek raged behind her. "This creek next to our house never flows, ever. It’s probably about nine feet [2.7m] up. It could go another two feet [60cm] up. We have horses ready to evacuate," she said. DeGeneres lives in an affluent area with other A-listers including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone. <a href="https://t.co/7dv5wfNSzG">pic.twitter.com/7dv5wfNSzG</a> — Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) <a href="https://twitter.com/EllenDeGeneres/status/1612591946635284480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></blockquote> DeGeneres referenced the five-year anniversary of the deadly mudslides that struck Southern California in 2018, leaving 23 people dead and over 160 others injured. "This is crazy, on the five-year anniversary. We’re having unprecedented rain,” she said. DeGeneres ended the video with a friendly reminder that: “We need to be nicer to mother nature, cause mother nature is not happy with us. Let’s all do our part. Stay safe everybody.” Various fans have commented their support and prayers for the former talk show host. "Wow, so sorry you have to go through that. Stay safe," one commented. "It’s 5 years to the day since 23 people died in the Montecito mudslides. Stay safe Ellen and everyone else," commented another. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Pugs and kisses! New London cafe takes the pug world by storm

London has welcomed its very first pug-themed cafe, right in time for Christmas. Adorably dubbed "CuppaPug", seven rescued pugs have been dressed up in an array of cute outfits by the cafe owners, giving customers and super pug fans the chance to spend hours with the beautiful and chunky pups. If that wasn’t enticing enough, you can play with the puggies and give them plenty of cuddles while they’re dressed like Santa and his helpers. The cafe's motto is "pugs' welfare first, café second" and is home to seven resident pugs in descending age. Gaston is the oldest at six years of age, followed by, Bruce, Bowser, Beau, Gizmo, Bebe and finally Baloo – who is just six months old at the time of writing. Co-owner of the cafe, Aaron says that: "Pugmas is so special to us here at CuppaPug! “For Matt and I, "Pugmas" is about bringing festive joy and pugs to people really needing a strong dose of Christmas fun. “We are Christmas-themed with a pink Christmas Santa, pink Christmas trees, lights and decorations and, of course, the pugs in their little Santa outfits. "People walk back from work with a miserable face but once they see the pugs playing, it makes them stop in their tracks and smile, usually taking a heap of photos too. A lot of kids who visit tell us it's the best day of their lives! "The pugs are so well behaved with children and parents often bring children who've had bad experiences with dogs to try to overcome it. Reactions from customers are overwhelmingly positive; we really are a joyous place!" CuppaPug are looking to introduce PugLates, and cocktails will also be available on the menu soon. 10% of their entry fee goes towards rescuing and rehoming pugs, and they have pugs brought in who need adopting, partnering with The National Pug Protection Trust, who provide customers with information and advice. Customers often boast how therapeutic the experience is, especially when the pugs are having quiet time in their beds or on people's laps – but equally, there can be lots of chaotic fun when playing or training with the animals! For more information, head to <a href="https://www.cuppapug.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.cuppapug.com/</a> Image: Instagram

Family & Pets

Aussie tennis star's love match

Australian tennis star Storm Sanders has tied the knot with her longtime partner Loughlin Hunter in a stunning ceremony. The 28-year-old sporting champ shared photos of their special day on Instagram from the wedding, surrounded by family and friends at All Saints Estate Winery in Wahgunyah, located in rural Victoria. "MR AND MRS HUNTER," Storm captioned the photos, before adding, "The best weekend of our lives". Among Storm's bridesmaids was fellow tennis player Daria Saville, while famous faces such Sam Stosur, Maddison Inglis, Jaimee Fourlis, Priscilla Hon and Ashling Sumner were also in attendance. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClLGaGGvDBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClLGaGGvDBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STORM HUNTER (@stormcsanders)</a> </div> </blockquote> Loughlin proposed to Storm in November 2020, as she shared the news online saying, "Gonna have an even cooler name soon. I cannot wait to marry you," she wrote alongside a loved-up photo of the pair just moments after he popped the question. The tennis champion reached a career-high last October after ranking 119th, as she continues to be ranked 10th in doubles. Storm won her first grand slam title this year at the US Open, winning mixed doubles with John Peers. Image credits: Instagram

Relationships

Another Project host bites the dust

First it was Carrie Bickmore, then Lisa Wilkinson and on Tuesday night’s episode another Project host announced their departure from the news program. Comedian and regular co-host on Channel 10’s news program Peter Helliar announced that he will be leaving the show after eight years. “These things come in threes and it’s time for me to say I will be leaving The Project soon,” he said. “It’s been something on my mind for a while. People will read into the situation however they want to read into it, but I feel like I need to create some space for some projects I want to work on. “I've been able to juggle over the years, you guys have seen me do How to Stay Married and stand-up and books over the years, but I feel like there are some new areas that I'm going into hopefully next year that I need to be present for.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> After nearly 8 years at the desk, Peter Helliar will be leaving The Project. Here is the moment he made the announcement. <a href="https://t.co/k1i19lWcM5">pic.twitter.com/k1i19lWcM5</a> — The Project (@theprojecttv) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1594974702744707072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2022</a></blockquote> An emotional Helliar then quoted Carrie when she shared her news saying that he will also continue loving the show. “You said that you are glad you're leaving The Project while you still love it, and I still love this show. I really do,” he continued. “It means a lot to me. It's done amazing things for me. I interviewed Luke Skywalker once and that meant a lot, and I look forward to seeing what the show is like in the future. “I'm pretty sure there are no more announcements and I can't wait to see what you and Kyle and Jackie O do with the show next year,” he said to Waleed Aly. Helliar has another two more weeks on the show, while Carrie has four more days. She jokingly wished Waleed Aly good luck for remaining. But the real question now is, will Waleed Aly quit next? According to entertainment reporter Peter Ford, the program has received quite a bit of backlash in the past year that it would not be surprising if Aly quit next. “I can’t think of a TV show that has been as polarising and has divided opinion as much as The Project, but it’s not mandatory to watch,” he said. “It’s increasing and increasing, and partly it is because on Twitter, people love to be angry, they want to be outraged and they want to bring someone or something down, so you have to allow that haters are going to hate. “But The Project has become a brand name that seems to get people angry, and I don’t know why that is. It’s odd – nobody is being forced to watch it.” He did however say that Aly may get away with it because he doesn’t have social media and doesn’t acknowledge the bad press toward him. Image: The Project

News

8 tricks that will change the way you dust forever

Dust is the bane of many households – just when you think you’ve got it all, it’s back again the next day. Lucky for you, we’ve stumbled on some nifty tricks that will transform your dusting technique and make life much easier. <ol start="1"> <li>Use coffee filters to dust your car – grimy dashboard? Simply grab some coffee filters and watch as they easily pick up dust in even the trickiest places.</li> <li>Use tongs to clean slatted blinds – this one is simply ingenious. Wrap a pair of tongs with dusting rags and secure with elastic bands. Clamp the tongs down on each slat and slide across until all the dust is collected.</li> <li>Use a foam brush to clean vents – if you’ve got a dusty space that’s too small to get to, like air conditioning vents, grab a cheap foam paint brush to get into those tiny nooks and crannies.</li> <li>Use a lint roller to clean lamp shades – you may not have thought to do this before, but it definitely makes sense! Just grab a lint roller and the dust will disappear in no time.</li> <li>Use a lone sock on your Swiffer – got a single fluffy sock with no companion? Stretch it over your Swiffer and use it to pick up dust in hard-to-reach places.</li> <li>Use dryer sheets to clean your screens – dryer sheets attract dust and dirt, leaving your electronic screens looking as good as new. Just make sure you use already-used sheets or you’ll wind up with fabric softener all over your device.</li> <li>Use a doormat – stop dust and dirt at the source by placing a door mat at the entrance to your house.</li> <li>Use a pillow case to dust your ceiling fan – dusting ceiling fans can be a dirty job, but wiping them down with pillow cases is a fantastic way to catch any dust that falls while you’re cleaning the blades.</li> </ol> Do you have any smart cleaning tips you’d like to share with us? Simply let us know in the comments below. Image: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

Toddler killed during massive hail storm

A 20-month-old baby girl has been killed during a massive hail storm on the north-east coast of Spain. The town mayor of La Bisbal d'Empordà Carme Vall told Spanish National Television the baby was with her parents when she was hit by the ball of ice Tuesday. She was taken to hospital for her injuries, but died on Wednesday morning. More than 20 people were treated for injuries after the storm, with the mayor confirming many cars and buildings were damaged by the hail. <div data-component="text-block"> <div> It the largest to rain down on the region since 2002. </div> </div> <div data-component="social-embed-block"> <div> </div> </div> She said that the some of the hailstones measured up to 11cm in diameter, as video footage on Spanish media showed the hailstones bouncing like golf balls on cars in the street. <div data-component="text-block"> <div> "The hail only fell for 10 minutes, but it was 10 minutes of terror," Carme Vall told local radio, according to AFP news agency. </div> </div> <div data-component="text-block"> <div> Catalonia's president Pere Aragones described the accident as a "tragedy". </div> </div> More storms were expected in the region next week. Heavy storms have been predicted for eastern Spain following severe heatwaves during the summer both on land and in the Mediterranean Sea. Image credits: Twitter

Caring

Footage shows terrifying moment mega-storm hits cruise ship

Last year we brought you news about the Royal Caribbean cruise ship that ran into high winds and rough seas while cruising through the Atlantic Ocean. Well, brand new footage of the terrifying ocean incident has emerged, and it’s enough to make even the most experienced ocean farer feel a little upset in the stomach. Check out the video, which has now been viewed 5 million times, below. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o9waSshoWOc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The footage provides an interesting insight into the power of the ocean, and how sturdy these vessels must be to navigate it without any real incident. Have you ever cruised in inclement weather? Hero image credit: Stephen J Burke / YouTube

Cruising

Why Pauline Hanson stormed out of the Senate

Pauline Hanson has been branded a "racist" after storming out of the Senate during the Welcome to Country acknowledgement. Senate President Sue Lines acknowledged the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples as the traditional custodians of the Canberra area and paid respect to elders past and present during the opening of Wednesday’s sitting. But before Senator Lines could complete the acknowledgment, the One Nation leader interrupted. “No, I won’t,” she yelled, adding, “I never will.” Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe, a proud Djab Wurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, quickly condemned the “disrespectful” move and slammed Senator Hanson's actions on Twitter. “Day two of the 47th parliament and racism has reared its ugly head,” she tweeted. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Pauline Hanson, you are ignorant and you are racist. — Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorThorpe/status/1552077364318060544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2022</a></blockquote> “Pauline Hanson disrespectfully stormed out of the acknowledgement of Country in the Senate, refusing to acknowledge 'those people.' You want to make parliament safe? Get rid of racism.” As is tradition in the Houses of Parliament, the Welcome to Country is given daily after the Lord's Prayer. The acknowledgment was made a permanent feature of daily Parliament proceedings in 2010 after the election of the Gillard government. Senator Hanson has been a member of the upper house since 2016, with colleagues saying she has sat through years of daily acknowledgments without any interjections. In a statement, a spokesman for Senator Hanson said she would “refuse” to acknowledge country in the Senate. “Senator Hanson considers that ‘acknowledgement of country’ perpetuates racial division in Australia,” the spokesman said. “Like many non-indigenous Australians, Senator Hanson considers this country belongs to her as much it does belong to any other Australian, Indigenous or otherwise." “From this point forward, Senator Hanson will refuse to acknowledge country in the Senate.” Senator Hanson's defiance has caused a flood of criticism online, with many calling the One Nation leader a "racist": a title she has been branded with sporadically throughout her political career. Image credits: Getty Images

News

“Turn the cameras off!”: Trump storms out on Piers Morgan

Former US President Donald Trump has erupted at Piers Morgan before storming off the set of an interview that touched on the “stolen” US presidential election. After Morgan lay the blame for last year’s deadly riots at the Capitol squarely at Trump’s feet – largely for his refusal to concede that he had lost the 2020 presidential election – Trump had had enough, and began screaming that Morgan was “dishonest” and “a fool”, before demanding that the shocked TV crew “turn the cameras off!” Trump appears to have been deeply angered by a slew of barbs that Morgan has directed towards him during his time at the White House, despite being friends for at least 15 years. But in this instance, the pair appeared to clash heavily even before the interview had gotten underway – but while the cameras were rolling. Morgan detailed the behind-the-scenes incident to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/donald-trump-piers-morgan-interview-former-president-explodes-at-disloyal-fool/news-story/35a81812a4d93cb3751a60957fcaa424" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, saying that Trump stared at him with “undisguised fury” and was “almost foaming at the mouth”. At one point, the Trump hissed at Morgan: “What the f**k is this?” You’re not real. You’re a fake.” To which Piers replied: “No, I’m just brutally honest.” Morgan revealed further details from the encounter: “Normally, he’d greet me with a cheery smile and the words ‘How’s my champ?’ because I was his first Celebrity Apprentice on the series that made him a TV superstar. But this time, there were no such welcoming niceties. “He was staring at me across his desk with undisguised fury, clutching the document entitled ‘Piers Morgan Comments About President Trump’. “What the f**k IS this?” he snarled. Then he began slowly reading out some of the quotes. “Trump’s a supreme narcissist….” Pause. “His pathetic antics in the past few weeks since losing the election in November have been utterly contemptible.” Pause. “Trump’s now too dangerous, he’s morphed into a monster that I no longer recognise as someone I considered to be a friend and thought I knew.” “Each time he paused, he peered over the document at me, with mounting rage in his eyes. “I’d never seen him so livid or felt so uncomfortable in his presence as I did right now in his office. “He was almost foaming at the mouth and kept shaking his head slowly and menacingly at me, like Don Corleone when he felt he’d been disrespected.” Morgan then went on to detail the moment Trump truly took issue with his questions: “Things took a dramatic downward turn when I finally brought up his refusal to accept defeat in 2020 and the appalling scenes on January 6. “I told him I believe he lost the supposedly “rigged, stolen” election, I repeatedly pointed out his failure to produce any evidence of the widespread voter fraud he insists occurred to rob him of his presidency, and I blamed his refusal to admit defeat for the deadly riots at the Capitol. “Then you’re a fool!” he sneered. “And you haven’t studied!...” “Now abandoning any pretence at cordiality, Trump ranted that he was far more honest than me, and again sneered that I wasn’t ‘real’ before haranguing me for exceeding our 20 minutes which was particularly disingenuous given that during all our previous interviews, he’d invariably decided exactly how long he wanted to keep talking. “Incensed Trump tried to end things by declaring “That’s it!” before I reminded him that we hadn’t discussed his hole-in-one, which he then sat down again and did – briefly – before abruptly jumping to his feet, looking hateful, and barking at the shocked crew: “Turn the cameras off!” “Then he turned on his heels, and sloped angrily off through a side door, loudly muttering “So dishonest…” The world exclusive interview is due to air as the launch piece for Morgan’s new show Piers Uncensored on Sky News on Tuesday night at 9pm AEST. Image: Piers Uncensored

The dramatic moment Karl stormed off set

Karl Stefanovic walked off the set of The Today Show after being insulted by his co-host Allison Langdon. The pair were discussing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation case in which Depp’s sister Depp’s sister Christi Dembrowski said Heard called the actor “old and fat”. Karl was beginning to say “Being called a fat old man is like…” before Allison jumped in and bluntly told him: “You’re not old”. “Or fat! I said all of them! Old or fat!” Karl stood up from the couch and said he was not accepting these comments from Allison before walking off set. “She's fat-shaming! She's fat-shaming again, Australia! I'm going on a diet.” Allison sat in disbelief as Karl walked off, leaving her to wrap up the show. “I was giving you a compliment,” she called out to Karl. However, it did not stop there with Karl taking it a step further and involving Channel Nine publicist Adrian Motte telling him: “That’s disgusting isn’t it?” Allison defended herself, saying she was not insulting Karl. “I basically called you young, thin and handsome.” “I really try. My feelings get hurt!” Karl yelled back. “He's so sensitive! I just called him thin, handsome, and young. That's what I just said. “I deal with this every day. Everyday is like this!” The camera then showed Karl pretending to cry in the corner before admitting the pair were messing around. Image: The Today Show

House dust from 35 countries reveals our global toxic contaminant exposure and health risk

Everyone’s home gets dusty, but is yours the same as house dust in China or the US? Researchers around the world have united to capture the <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04494" target="_blank">world’s first trans-continental data on household dust.</a> People from 35 countries vacuumed their homes and sent their dust to universities in different countries, where it was tested for potentially toxic trace metals. Researchers gathered data on the human and household factors that might affect how much humans are exposed to these contaminants. This is the first effort to collect global data of this type in a single <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04494" target="_blank">study</a>. It shed new light on the sources and risks associated with trace metal exposure, which can lead to concerning neurocognitive effects in people of all ages. The <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04494" target="_blank">study</a> shows it doesn’t matter whether you live in a high or low income country, are rich or poor – we’re all exposed to contaminants via dust. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433642/original/file-20211124-19-29ut51.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433642/original/file-20211124-19-29ut51.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A man sneezes in a dusty room" /></a> It doesn’t matter whether you live in a high or low income country, we are all exposed to contaminants in dust. Shutterstock Differences between countries Local environmental factors and contamination histories can make a difference. In <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0269749121011751" target="_blank">New Caledonia</a>, elevated chromium, nickel and manganese were evident, due to local rock, soil and nickel smelters. These may be linked to increased <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-jstor-org.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/stable/45011245" target="_blank">lung</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S1877782117301455" target="_blank">thyroid</a> cancers in New Caledonia. In New Zealand, arsenic concentrations are <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2016.05.009" target="_blank">naturally high</a>. One in three New Zealand homes exceeded the acceptable health risk for children under two, set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Australia has concerning levels of arsenic and lead contamination in house dust. One in six Australian homes exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency acceptable health risk. Arsenic exposure can increase <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S1382668915300946" target="_blank">cancer risk</a> and cause problems to respiratory health and immune function. <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/the-verdicts-in-we-must-better-protect-kids-from-toxic-lead-exposure-41969" target="_blank">Lead</a> can affect children’s brain and nervous system development, causing behavioural and developmental problems. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439426/original/file-20220104-23-nhnz25.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439426/original/file-20220104-23-nhnz25.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A man dusts on top of a shelf." /></a> Frequent vacuuming, mopping and dusting with a damp cloth can reduce your risk. Shutterstock It’s clear <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749121020443" target="_blank">lead mining</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/children-continue-to-be-exposed-to-contaminated-air-in-port-pirie-113484" target="_blank">smelting</a> activities cause high lead levels in dust for local communities. But the study shows inner city areas are equally affected, commonly from legacy sources like <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S016041201000156X" target="_blank">emissions</a> from the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0883292717301300" target="_blank">leaded petrol era</a>, or peeling lead paint in homes. Data from Accra, in Ghana showed homes contained elevated lead concentrations, likely due to nearby electronic recycling operations. Old wiring and circuitry are <a rel="noopener" href="https://greatforest.com/sustainability101/best-recycling-videos-story-electronics/" target="_blank">burned to extract metals</a>, causing trace metals such as lead, nickel and copper to fall out as dust across the city. So where do contaminants in house dust come from? One source reflects lead from past leaded petrol emissions and paints. Another reflects the degradation of building materials, rich in copper and zinc. This was more prevalent in older homes, which have seen more wear and tear and have been exposed to traffic emissions longer. The third common source is soil, which gets blown in from outside and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0160412019320021" target="_blank">walked into homes</a> by people and pets. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433643/original/file-20211124-17-1tfgi8d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433643/original/file-20211124-17-1tfgi8d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A woman cleans a vent." /></a> Simple home cleaning practices, like frequently vacuuming, mopping and dusting with a damp cloth can reduce your exposure to contaminants in dust. Shutterstock What factors affect how risky your dust is? We also gathered global data on building materials, pets, hobbies, habits and home characteristics. What made the most difference to metals in dust were house age, peeling paint, having a garden and smoking. Interestingly, homes with garden access had higher dust concentrations of lead and arsenic. Older homes had higher levels of all metals except chromium, and are likely to have residues from peeling paints, traffic and industrial pollutants, pest treatments and other chemicals. Other factors, such as home type, building material, heating fuel didn’t appear to influence trace metal concentrations in homes. Critically, what’s outside ends up <a rel="noopener" href="https://www-sciencedirect-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0013935120302504" target="_blank">in our homes</a>, where it can be inhaled and <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubs-acs-org.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.1c01097" target="_blank">ingested</a>. While global averages were within accepted thresholds, many individual homes exceeded these, particularly homes in Australia for lead-related risks, New Caledonia and the US for chromium-related risks, and New Zealand for arsenic-related risks. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433664/original/file-20211124-21-1czyn4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433664/original/file-20211124-21-1czyn4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A person wipes dust from a shoe area." /></a> Reduce the amount of dust entering your home by taking your shoes off at the door. Shutterstock How to reduce your exposure to contaminants in dust Frequent vacuuming, mopping and dusting with a damp cloth can reduce your risk. Vacuuming reduces contaminants like <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/were-all-ingesting-microplastics-at-home-and-these-might-be-toxic-for-our-health-here-are-some-tips-to-reduce-your-risk-159537" target="_blank">microplastics</a> in house dust. If you live in an older home, keep the paint in good condition so it’s not flaking off. When painting or renovating, follow safety <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/household-building-and-renovation/lead-safety" target="_blank">guidance</a> from your state’s environmental protection authority – or call a <a href="https://painters.edu.au/Training-Resources/CPCCPD3031-Work-safely-with-lead-painted-surfaces-in-the-painting-industry.htm">professional</a>. Hobbies involving lead, like fishing, shooting and metal work, can affect your trace metal exposure. Choosing not to smoke inside will reduce exposures to chromium and manganese. Cover exposed soil in your garden with mulch or grass, use a dual system of outdoor and indoor mats, take shoes off at the door and towel down muddy pets before letting them inside. Considering we spend most of our lives <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500165" target="_blank">indoors</a>, there is growing <a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/doi/epdf/10.1111/ina.12722" target="_blank">international interest</a> in setting public health guidelines for chemicals in indoor settled dust. In <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/household-building-and-renovation/lead-safety" target="_blank">Australia</a> and the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.epa.gov/lead/hazard-standards-and-clearance-levels-lead-paint-dust-and-soil-tsca-sections-402-and-403" target="_blank">US</a>, we have guidance for lead dust, but not other contaminants. The best way to know what’s in your house dust is to have it tested by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.360dustanalysis.com/" target="_blank">DustSafe</a> researchers. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172499/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439427/original/file-20220105-25-mvokjp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439427/original/file-20220105-25-mvokjp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A man vacuums his house." /></a> Vacuuming reduces contaminants like microplastics in house dust. Shutterstock <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cynthia-faye-isley-602937" target="_blank">Cynthia Faye Isley</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Environmental Science, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174" target="_blank">Macquarie University</a>; <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kara-fry-1274525" target="_blank">Kara Fry</a>, Academic Casual, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174" target="_blank">Macquarie University</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-patrick-taylor-11394" target="_blank">Mark Patrick Taylor</a>, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174" target="_blank">Macquarie University</a> This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/house-dust-from-35-countries-reveals-our-global-toxic-contaminant-exposure-and-health-risk-172499" target="_blank">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

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