Artificial Turf Warning; Pain Killer Headaches; Plastic Bottles Pulled | Medical Watch | WGNTV.com | WGN TV

Artificial Turf Warning; Pain Killer Headaches; Plastic Bottles Pulled

Friday, April 18

In tonight's Medical Watch -- don't hit the turf til you know what's in it.

Artificial Turf Warning
Artificial turf at stadiums, schools and parks across the country may contain dangerous lead levels. Federal health officials raised a red flag about the dangers this week, closing two fields in New Jersey. Doctors say athletes could swallow or inhale fibers from the synthetic playing surface. Pigment containing lead is used to make the grass green and hold its color. The artificial turf industry denies any hazard.

Pain Killer Headaches
The very drugs that bring relief from pain may lead to serious agony. People who overuse drugs like Codeine and Oxycodone develop chronic migraines. That according to a study presented at the American Academy of Neurology. Of 24,000 migraine sufferers, those who took barbiturates and opioids more than eight times a month developed more painful and frequent migraine headaches over time.

Plastic Bottles Pulled
More debate over the possible danger from plastic bottles. In the U.S. the maker of nalgene bottles pulled those containing BPA. And in Canada a call to get rid of all plastic containers with the chemical. The moves come after BPA was linked to neurological and behavioral problems, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Study authors say BPA is harmful even in low levels. But critics charge all BPA studies were done on animals and the risk to humans is not proven.