Content about Environment

“Smah-ten up, Ee-dah.” Loosely translated from deep “Mainer-ese,” that means, “smarten up, Eder.”


It’s a voice from my childhood, an old coach and counselor from summer camp, Tobias Woodworth. I called him Toby. He called me “Ee-dah.”


Stuck with me and all my other quasi-incorrigible New York City friends, Toby found himself saying, “smah-ten up!” an awful lot. It could mean anything from “you’ve got two strikes — protect the plate” to “put down that rock.”


NEW YORK — As employers try to engage employees in health management programs to slow healthcare cost inflation, fewer employees are placing a high priority on managing and improving their health, according to a survey released Wednesday of more than 9,000 employees at large and midsize employers, conducted by Towers Watson.

ITASCA, Ill. — Jewel-Osco announced that it is partnering with the American Heart Association to raise awareness and funds for the AHA's Go Red For Women campaign against heart disease, the leading cause of death among American women.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck’s vaccine for human papillomavirus is 89% effective in preventing genital warts in teenage boys and young men, according to a new study.

The phase-3 study of Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16 and 18] vaccine, recombinant) in boys and men ages 16 to 26 years was published in the Feb. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Human papillomavirus is the cause of genital and anal warts, and infection can increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.

NEW YORK — Vogue International's Organix hair care brand is expanding its portfolio with the new Ever Straight Brazilian keratin therapy collection, an at-home hair straightening system.

Made with the same scent as the Organix nourishing coconut milk collection, the blend of organic cocoa nut oil with keratin proteins promises to strengthen and soften the hair, while organic avocado oils and cocoa butter smooth the cuticle for straight, strong tresses, according to the company.

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. — Marcal has reformulated its Small Steps line, which is made of 100% recycled paper, to make the paper goods better than ever, the company said.

Marcal Small Steps paper towels are stronger when wet, while Marcal Small Steps two-ply bath tissue is softer, the company said. An enhancement to Marcal's facial tissues also will be implemented.

WASHINGTON — A poll released by the American Cleaning Institute found that nearly three-quarters of Americans use antibacterial soap, and many of them wouldn't be happy if the government banned such products.

The poll, which consisted of 1,000 U.S. adults, ages 18 years and older, found that 74% of consumers use antibacterial soap — with 56% of those respondents using them on a regular basis — and deemed antibacterial soap as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of germs.

Additional findings included:

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck and drug industry services organization Parexel International will work together to develop biosimilars, the two said Wednesday.

Under the agreement, Parexel will give Merck BioVentures access to clinical and regulatory services for the development of biosimilars. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Almost $8,000 a year in healthcare savings, per patient. That’s how much patients with congestive heart failure could save the U.S. healthcare system simply by taking their medications as prescribed, an exhaustive, three-year study by CVS Caremark concluded.

(THE NEWS: Adherence among chronic disease patients can lead to big savings. For the full story, click here)

CHICAGO — Beauty companies will be looking to get "down to Earth" in 2011, according to Mintel, an independent provider of market intelligence.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck on Wednesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Gardasil [human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant] for the prevention of anal cancer in males and females 9 to 26 years of age.

According to the company, Gardasil is the first HPV vaccine on the market available for use in both men and women, and the only one indicated  to help prevent cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers and pre-cancers, as well as genital warts, caused by certain types of HPV.

ATLANTA — Among those getting their health on track in time for New Year's resolutions are consumers who are concerned about the long-term, negative effects of drinking unhealthy beverages.