Animal-free method predicts nanoparticle toxicity for safer industrial materials

26 November 2020

Germany:

At Helmholtz Zentrum München, the research group of Dr. Tobias Stöger, in collaboration with partners from the SmartNanoTox EU project, gathered insights on the toxicity of nanoparticles and managed to predict the spectrum of lung inflammation using only in vitro measurement and in silico modeling.

Our lungs are exposed to a multitude of hazardous airborne particles on a daily basis. Nanoparticles, due to their small size, may reach the sensitive alveolar region of the human lung and trigger inflammation even after a single inhalation leading to severe diseases such as heart disease, brain damage and lung cancer for prolonged exposure. In manufacturing, toxic nanoparticles may be released into the environment during the production, processing, degradation or combustion of materials. Despite advances in models for nanotoxicology, currently neither in vitro nor in silico testing tools can reliably predict adverse outcomes or replace in vivo testing. In order to facilitate the introduction of safer materials into our lives, novel testing strategies are needed to predict the potential toxicity of industrial nanoparticles before and during the manufacturing process. 

Currently, safety testing relies heavily on animal studies. While animal experimentation is still indispensable for mechanistic and chronic toxicological studies, they are less suited for predictive tests within a safe-by-design production of new materials. This study introduces an alternative animal-free testing strategy, capable for high-throughput testing and connectable with in silico modelling.

Read more at source

EurekAlert

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First cases of COVID-19 in Polish mink

26 November 2020

Polish scientists have identifies the first cases of coronavirus in mink at a farm in the north of the country.

The Medical University of Gdansk said that eight animals were found to be infected at a breeding farm in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. 

Poland, a major producer of mink fur, started coronavirus tests among its farmed mink and workers this month after a mutation of the virus was found in Denmark. 

Veterinary and sanitary authorities in Poland said last week that 18 coronavirus cases had been identifies among mink farmworkers since the start of the pandemic, but it was unlikely that to have been spread by the animals.

“The obtained results indicate the possibility of transmission of the virus from humans to minks,” the Medical University of Gdansk said in a statement. 

Poland is the world’s third-largest fur producer after China and Denmark, according to animal rights groups that are campaigning for an end to breeding animals like mink for fur. 

Read more at source

Euronews

WAV Past posts on Polish fur:

Poland: The Price of A Fur Coat. Terrible animal suffering revealed on huge Polish fur farm. – World Animals Voice

Some Very Recent Positive News From Poland Regarding Fur Farming and Animals In Entertainment. – World Animals Voice

England: This Is Huge ! Respect for Animals – Fighting the Fur Trade – Poland Close to Historic Fur Farming Ban. – – World Animals Voice

Poland: Mecca of the fur industry – World Animals Voice

Poland: The blood business with fur – World Animals Voice

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Hungary Bans Fur Farming Of Minks, Foxes And Ferrets Due To ‘Public Health Concerns’ Amid COIVD-19

The announcement follows a slew of COVID-19 outbreaks on mink fur farms across the globe

Hungary has announced a ban on mink fur farming due to ‘public health concerns of zoonotic diseases’.

The ban also includes the farming of foxes, polecats/ferrets, and coypu. However, it does not include chinchilla.

The news follows COVID-19 outbreaks on slew of mink fur farms across the globe. Reports now suggest the COVID-19 variant found on a Danish mink fur farm could spark a new coronavirus pandemic.

‘A good outcome for human health’

Dr. Joanna Swabe is the senior director of public affairs for Humane Society International/Europe.

In a statement sent to Plant Based News she ‘applaued’ the Hungarian government for enacting the ban.

Swabe said: “Although these species are not currently farmed for fur in the country… This ban is more than just symbol politics. There’s a very real and present danger that fur farmers from elsewhere in Europe may attempt to move their operations to Hungary.

“This is a precautionary measure that shuts the door to that happening. [It] is a good outcome for human health and animal welfare.”

‘Make fur farming history’

Moreover, Swabe points out the ban ‘fails’ to include chinchila, who ‘could also be susceptible to viruses’.

She added: “As long as the animal exploitation of fur farming is tolerated, the potential for reservoirs of animal to human pathogens will persist….

“HSI hopes that the Hungarian government will also consider strengthening its ban by shutting down the country’s chinchilla fur farms too, and make fur farming history in Hungary.”

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Watch the video here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-55034537

Elephant rescued from deep well in a 14-hour operation

https://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/SMPj/2.36.6/iframe.html Elephant rescued from deep well in a 14-hour operationClose

A team of 50 people have helped rescue a male elephant from a deep well in Dharmapuri, southern India.

Local villagers dropped banana leaves down for the elephant to eat as the rescue dragged on through the night.

The bull was eventually brought to the surface upside down, as cranes and belts lifted it to safety.

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Dear visitors, followers, and readers,

A week ago, my cat Cordino had an operation, that’s why I have to leave the work on our blog aside.
In order for the wound to heal well, he has to wear a neck collar, and although he is very good-natured and cooperative, he definitely didn’t want that.

We have agreed to only wear the collar at night, and during the day it stays free and happy, but for me, this means that I have to take care of him all the time so that he does not lick the wound.

We both have to complete this task by Sunday, then Sunday is the 10th day after the operation and then the threads are extinguished by themselves and we are all redeemed.

I ask for your understanding.
Soon I’ll be fully active again on our blog.

My best regards to all

Venus

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EU: ‘A Web of Lies’ – Horsemeat Imports (Into EU) In Regular Breach Of Alleged EU Rules Some 8 Years After NGO’s Alerted the Issue. EU – Toss As Always ! – World Animals Voice

Horsemeat imports in regular breach of EU rules

25 November 2020

Today, the Animal Welfare Foundation, supported by other NGOs, released a new documentary underlining animal welfare abuses in the production of Argentinian horsemeat. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by our report, this is not an isolated case.

The documentary, entitled  “A Web of Lies”, reveals that eight years after the first investigation carried out by NGOs in Argentina, the severe abuses and neglect of horses destined for slaughter continue, despite claims that the situation has improved. The film also puts the spotlight on key shortcomings in ensuring the traceability of the horses. 

Similar issues can be witnessed in several countries providing horsemeat to the EU, like Australia, Uruguay and Canada. Consumption and trade of horsemeat in the EU has overall declined between 2000 and 2015; yet, since 2017, EU imports of horsemeat from foreign countries have started to grow again, especially from Argentina.

It is thus high time for the European Commission to address the concerns around these imports.

Eurogroup for Animals launches today a report presenting an overview on animal welfare and traceability-related issues encountered in key producing countries. The report puts forward the following recommendations in order to ensure better equine protection: 

• All imported equine meat must comply with EU animal welfare standards at slaughter (which are currently the only applicable animal welfare requirements for imported meat).
• All imported equine meat should also respectother animal welfare standards applied in EU horse meat production(e.g. related to transport, in assembly centres and in horse feedlots). This means trade agreements should contain provisions on conditional liberalisation of horse meat imports (e.g. liberalised access to the EU market would be contingent on meeting equivalent welfare standards).
• Suspension of imports from countries if EU audits demonstrate a lack of enforcement of the applicable provisions of the regulation on welfare at the time of killing and traceability requirements.
•  Allowing for the possibility of unannounced audits.

• Suspension of imports (e.g. from Mexico and Brazil) are not reversed unless the production meets the required EU animal welfare standards as confirmed by EU audits.

• Working to improve equine welfare outside the EU through cooperation on animal welfare with relevant partner countries (at present Argentina, Australia and Canada), using technical assistance where required.

• Greater traceability of horse meat products by introducing Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) for fresh and frozen equine meat.

• Reduced consumption of equine meat and derived products (through member organisations reaching out to retailers and consumers).

Read “From stable to Fork” Report 

Regards Mark

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