Testing It Up

Several children were sent to the hospital in separate incidents in Chicago and Portsmouth.

About 50 teenagers attending an event at a Boys and Girls Club in Chicago’s West Side on Monday afternoon were evacuated after a carbon monoxide leak was detected on the premises. They were in the club to listen to NFL players from the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings speak. The guests had already left before the club was evacuated.

The leak was said to have been caused by a faulty furnace. The club called in the fire department after three kids started showing signs of carbon monoxide intoxication. They conducted a test on the air, which confirmed high levels of carbon monoxide than normal. Eleven children were sent to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but no one was reported seriously injured.

The same afternoon, 14 people, which included 12 children between the ages of 2 and 14 and two adults, were taken to local hospitals for evaluation for carbon monoxide poisoning in Portsmouth. The children in the day care center of the Centenary United Methodist Church suddenly started throwing up inexplicably, which prompted the people responsible to call in the fire department.

Just as in Chicago, a test of the surrounding air resulted in high carbon monoxide levels. All of the children in the day care center were assessed, and some displayed minor symptoms of intoxication. The 14 people sent to the hospital were treated as a precaution. A boiler on the first floor of the building was determined as the source of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a compound that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. As such, it is rather difficult to monitor its levels in the surrounding air. Since it is highly toxic, it is beneficial to install carbon monoxide detectors or to have carbon monoxide test kits available in enclosed areas, especially those with children.

Chicago Health Screening

If we look at the way of life in urban America, we probably could not help but notice how fast everything is. Do you see people simply taking leisurely strolls in Manhattan or downtown Chicago nowadays? I’m betting you will see more people rushing about, running to catch the next subway train.

This has triggered the development of conveniences that cater to a fast-paced lifestyle. Mobile phones, mobile internet and mobile lunch are now part of everyday life. Like everything else, we have to get – and eat – our meals fast, too. More often than not, we do not have the time, energy, or resources to fix our meals ourselves.

The problem with fast food and eating out is that we could not take full control of what goes into the meals we eat. This has lead to health problems such as obesity and high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is especially important because it can lead to more serious health risks. Cholesterol contributes directly towards the occurrence of strokes and heart attacks.

With this risk in mind, it is very important to be vigilant about living a healthy lifestyle despite having to face the challenges of living in the city. I was once in the same situation, but I have since chosen to step back and live a more laid-back existence. If you are not ready to take such a drastic step, there is still a lot you can do to make city living work for you.

One would be to actively test your cholesterol levels so that you will be able to take appropriate action as the need arises. If you lead a lifestyle that exposes you to the risk of high cholesterol, there are home cholesterol test kits that allow you to measure your cholesterol levels. Their results are as accurate as traditional lab tests, but give you the convenience of doing tests at home.

Just remember, it’s alright to go for gold. Just don’t forget that your body is the only one you’ve got.

Chicago Health Screening

An undercover investigation has resulted in 9 individuals facing drug charges. The name was Operation Homestead and it was prompted by complaints from residents on the North Side of Chicago.

The five month investigation netted charges ranging from criminal drug conspiracy to delivery and possession.

Operation Homestead makes the 31st operation conducted by Chicago authorities this month that has resulted in arrests for drugs. It has taken many drug dealers off of the streets, therefore keeping drugs out of the hands of children and other individuals.

Chicago Drug Screening

An eviction leads to a drug bust in Chicago. When officers were called to evict a man, they ended up busting him for having a room full of marijuana plants.

The man, Arckey Washington, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis plants, one count of marijuana possession, and unlawful use of a weapon. All the officers were trying to do was serve an eviction notice. Once the officers were inside, they could smell the marijuana within the apartment. Upon looking around, an unloaded .357 was found lying on the floor along with 2 containers of marijuana that had been prepared for sale.

Upon further investigation, the officers found a mighty extensive marijuana growing operation happening behind a black plastic barricade in a bedroom. Some of the marijuana plants had grown to three feet high. The marijuana that was found is estimated to be worth $60,000.

Washington, 35, previously served prison time for a narcotics conviction.

Chicago Drug Screening

David Harrison, a basketball player for the Indiana Pacers was suspended for five games today for violating the anti-drug policy set forth by the NBA.

No details have been released as to the reason for his violation, but one can assume it has something to do with performance enhancing drugs such as steroids or HGH.

Harrison can return to play January 23 for a game against Chicago.

Chicago Drug Screening

Okay, so I made this post last Friday but for some reason it got deleted. This is why I shouldn’t be the company blogger. What did I do when I discovered this post had mysteriously vanished? I didn’t dust myself off and write, write again. Nope. I moped. I pouted. I cursed the WordPress gods. But now, here I am on Monday about to write the same post again, even though it’s old news now. I call that commitment. So my disappearing Friday post talked mostly about how consideration was being put into the idea of instating a drug testing program for the PGA Tour. The LGPA Tour already has drug testing and Tiger Woods was apparently supporting the whole thing. The idea is to prove that golf is, in fact, a clean sport and that drug testing really isn’t necessary. So they’re going to drug test to prove that they don’t need to drug test. Interesting. Who really thinks golfers are hopped up on steroids, though? I mean, really? I can picture it now. “I must overload my body with testosterone to get this teeny tiny ball in the itty bitty hole.” Well, whatever they decide, I don’t really care. I just thought it was funny. And it would have been funnier had the post actually made it to the site on Friday. Yup. It would have been hilarious. I was witty, I was crafty. Now I’m just forcing it. Bah! Why can’t I just take phone calls like all the other home testing customer service reps?

Chicago Drug Screening