Readers of the blog are familiar with reports linking Paxil (generic: Paroxetine) with adverse health events. Now, Reuters reports that antidepressant medication might interfere with breast cancer treatments. According to researchers in Canada, interference could cause patients to relapse and die, said Reuters.

The researchers found that those women taking Paxil, which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, and who were also taking tamoxifen for treatment of their breast cancer, were more likely to die from breast cancer, said Reuters. The longer the patients were on both medications, said the researchers, reporting in the British Medical Journal, the more likely their chances of death, according to Reuters. More Paxil may Interfere with Breast Cancer Treatments

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest of known cancers and comes with a bleak cure rate. Of the tens of thousands of people diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, some 80 percent will die.

Now, according to US News and World Report (US News), an emerging study suggests that ingesting commonly consumed drinks could up pancreatic cancer risk significantly. More Sugary Sodas Tied to Pancreatic Cancer

Rising reports of Toyota vehicles and sudden acceleration prompted State Farm Insurance to alert the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2007. According to The Washington Post, the revelation of the State Farm warnings could add to the criticism that has been dogging the NHTSA since Toyota recalled millions of vehicles around the world for sticking accelerator pedals.

As of January 2010, Toyota has recalled a total 5.3 million vehicles in the U.S. due to incidents of dangerous, unintended acceleration. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. More State Farm Informed NHTSA Of Toyota Problems in ‘07

Yesterday, we wrote about a massive power plant explosion that took place Sunday at a plant under construction in Connecticut that has, to date, injured 12 and killed five. Now, reports Forbes, the governor of Connecticut is seeking a state safety code review. The blast destroyed walls at the Kleen Energy Systems power plant, the Associated Press (AP) explained prior.

Governor M. Jodi Rell just announced she will be creating two panels, said Forbes. One will determine the cause and origin of the explosion and will look at what could have contributed to the blast, for instance, “construction problems, worker safety issues, and licensing or permitting matters,” said Forbes. The other will be comprised of state agencies, local officials, and what Forbes described as other “experts” who will review the first panel’s reports to see if state or local laws or regulations and building or fire codes require change, according to Forbes. No schedule was discussed; however, Governor Rell said panel reviews need to be “impartial and swift,” quoted Forbes. More Connecticut Governor Wants Safety Review After Blast

Becton Dickinson & Co. is recalling millions of BD Q-Syte Luer Access Devices and BD Nexiva Closed IV Catheter Systems. The recall was issued after determining that use of the devices could cause an air embolism or leakage of blood or IV therapy, which could lead to serious injury or death.

The recall was initiated on Oct. 28, 2009 after the company received complaints of problems due to air entry through a part of the device. Becton Dickinson & Co. is investigating reports of one death and one serious injury that may be linked to the problem. More Millions of Potentially Lethal IV Devices Recalled by Becton Dickinson

Thousands of Toyota hybrids, including the 2010 Prius and the Lexus HS250h, are being recalled today because of faulty brakes. The recall, which involves more than 400,000 Prius, Lexus and other hybrid vehicles, is the second global recall Toyota has issued since January.

The recall involves 133,000 Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles sold in the U.S.; nearly 53,000 Priuses in Europe; and 223,000 hybrids sold in Japan. The recall followed complaints from some Prius owners that brakes on the cars would temporarily stop working on bumpy or slick roads. More Toyota Recalls Prius, Lexus Hybrids to Fix Brakes

A popular pesticide, atrazine, is making news again. The crop pesticide was discussed in a study scheduled to be presented at the annual meeting for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM), The Pregnancy Meeting ™, in Chicago, said Science Daily. The findings are expected to detail a link between atrazine and gastroschisis, a birth defect, said Science Daily.

Science Daily explained that gastroschisis is an “inherited congenital abdominal wall defect” that generally occurs in the intestines, but can occur in other organs, explained Science Daily. The organ typically develops outside the fetus’ abdomen and through an opening in the abdominal wall. Gastroschisis is increasing in prevalence, showing a two-to-four-fold increase in the past three decades, said Science Daily. The team, at the University of Washington in Seattle, was advised of the increase in the eastern portion of the state of Washington, which led them to hypothesize that there could be a link to that area’s environment, said Science Daily. More Study Finds Link Between Atrizine, Birth Defect

A new study has found a link between a once popular metal cleaner and increased risks of developing Parkinson’s disease. According to Science Daily, the chemical, trichloroethylene (TCE), was used to clean automotive components. The study, just released, will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada from April 10 to April 17, 2010.

“This is the first time a population-based study has confirmed case reports that exposure to TCE may increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease,” said study author Samuel Goldman, MD, with the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale, California, quoted Science Daily. Dr. Goldman is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “TCE was once a popular industrial solvent used in dry cleaning and to clean grease off metal parts, but due to other health concerns the chemical is no longer widely used,” Dr. Goldman added. More Parkinson’s Disease Risk Linked to Exposure to Industrial Cleaner

We recently wrote that the first consumer lawsuit over Popcorn Lung Disease—bronchiolitis obliterans—was settled between FONA International Inc., formerly Flavors of North America Inc., and a Denver Colorado man who developed the disorder after consuming two bags of microwave popcorn daily for years, said EMaxHealth previously. Now, the Dispatch is reporting that the government may begin regulating the chemical—diacetyl—that is found in microwave popcorn and that has been linked to the disease.

The Dispatch also wrote about a 46-year old woman who now has the lung function of a 90-year-old, a man who can no longer perform simple tasks, and a couple unable to do more than leave their home. According to the Dispatch, all four can no longer work at the ConAgra Foods plant from where they were previously employed and have been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans; all were exposed to diacetyl. ConAgra formerly used the chemical in its production of butter-flavored microwave popcorn, said the Dispatch. More Feds May Regulate Popcorn Lung Chemical

Tysabri, a popular treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), is more likely to cause a serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, the longer it is used, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The agency announced Friday that the Tysabri label would be updated to include such a warning.

Tysabri is seen as one of the most effective MS treatments on the market, especially for those with severe cases who have few other options. Unfortunately, it also poses serious risks because of its association with PML. More Tysabri PML Risk Increases With Use, FDA Says