Mixed News On Kids Oral Health; Toxic Nuts; Explosion Rocks Central Basel

News For 17 October 2023

A long-term study by the University of Basel underway since 1992 has found that tooth decay has been steadily decreasing in children.  Of the 1400 children participating in the program, the number of 15 year olds in the study whose teeth have been free from cavities has increased from 29 to 69 percent.  Unfortunately, the news is not all positive - the incidence of what oral health experts call "Molar Incisor Hypomineralization" or "Chalk Teeth" is also on the rise. The disorder, which prevents the proper development of tooth enamel, leaves children without properly formed teeth that can be very painful. Unfortunately, there is no diagnosis yet or understanding of the nature of the disease.

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Basel Stadt's Cantonal laboratories which are responsible for maintaining food and ingestible product safety for its citizens, found toxic Phosphene in 7 of the 50 nuts, seeds and kernel samples it tested from large scale distributors.  The toxin is used to protect the food products from pests that can spread during transport from one country to another.  Phosphene can be fatally toxic in small concentrations and continued exposure to even minute quantities can cause arrhythmias and light headedness. 

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Tensions were high in Basel last Wednesday when a gas canister exploded on the roof of the commercial building at Falknerstrasse 29 in central Basel.  The explosion sent a giant plume of black smoke into the air which could easily be seen around the city.  The source of the explosion was quickly located by the Basel fire department and the subsequent fire was quickly extinguished.  The exploding gas canister was located 300 meters from where the explosion occurred.  The source of the fire has yet to be determined but the final damage reports suggest that fortunately there were no injuries or destruction of property.