Ayurvedic medicines sold over the Internet in the United States contain harmful levels of toxic metals such as lead, a new study has found. A team of researchers from Boston University used five different Internet search engines to locate 25 sites selling Ayurvedic medicines.

The researchers randomly chose 230 sites to order the medicines in 2005 and sent their purchases to the New England Regional Environmental Protection Agency for testing. The agency measured metal concentrations using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and found that 20.7 percent of the products contained lead, mercury, and/or arsenic

The international environment group Greenpeace International has found traces of 59 substances in fruits and vegetables harvested in Germany.

Use of these substances is illegal in Germany and the European Union. Three-quarters of the substances are harmful to humans and the environment based on data provided in 2006 by the German Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food Safety

An enriched version of a herb known as Indian Frankincense has been found beneficial to reduce symptoms of arthritis, U.S. researchers report.

The study by researchers at the University of California, Davis tested the herb Boswellia serrata, known botanically as frankincense, on patients with arthritis in their knees. Those with severe symptoms were given a low-dose capsule, some a higher dose capsule, and the remainder were given a dummy pill with no active ingredients

A California produce company recalled a batch of cilantro Thursday that it shipped to three Canadian provinces and 23 U.S. states after salmonella bacteria was detected in the herb.

NewStar Fresh Foods based in Salinas recalled the packed cilantro labelled NewStar, Ready Set Serve, and Cross Valley Farms from food-service clients in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba in Canada as well as those distributed in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin

The director of a Pittsburgh cancer institute has issued a warning to employees on avoiding cell phone usage, especially for children, due to possible cancer risks.

In a memo sent to faculty and staff of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Dr. Ronald B. Herberman listed ways to limit exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones by using various alternatives such as texting, shortening conversations and using headset or speaker phone options, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday